How Do I Cancel A Business Registration In Ontario?

You can cancel your business by filing a cancellation through the Ontario Business Registry or by using a service provider like Launch a Business. This officially closes your business registration and removes it from active records.

How Long Does It Take To Cancel A Business In Ontario?

Most cancellations are processed within 1–3 business days, depending on how the filing is submitted and whether all information is correct.

Do I Need A Company Key To Cancel My Business?

Yes. A Company Key is required to access your business in the Ontario Business Registry and authorize the cancellation.

Can I Cancel My Business Online In Ontario?

Yes. Ontario business cancellations can be completed online through the registry or through a service provider who files on your behalf.

Is There A Fee To Cancel A Business In Ontario?

Fees may apply depending on the type of business and filing method. Service providers may also charge a processing fee for handling the cancellation.

What Happens If I Don’t Cancel My Business?

If you don’t cancel your business: Your registration may remain active You could receive government notices Your business name remains tied to you It may cause issues with future registrations Canceling ensures your records are properly closed.

Do I Need To Notify The CRA When I Close My Business?

Yes. If you have CRA accounts (like HST or payroll), you should close or update them separately to avoid ongoing obligations.

Can I Reopen My Business After Cancelling It?

No. Once cancelled, your business registration is closed. To operate again, you’ll need to register a new business.

What Happens To My Business Name After Cancellation?

Your business name becomes available for others to register once your cancellation is processed.

Do I Need To Cancel Before Incorporating?

In many cases, yes. If you’re moving from a sole proprietorship to a corporation, you may need to cancel your existing registration depending on your situation.

Can I Cancel A Partnership If One Partner Leaves?

If the partnership structure changes significantly, the existing registration may need to be canceled and replaced with a new one.

What If I Have Outstanding Debts Or Contracts?

Canceling your business does not eliminate debts or contractual obligations. These must still be handled separately.

Can I Cancel A Business That Was Never Used?

Yes. Even if your business never operated, you should cancel it to avoid future complications or confusion.

How do I close a corporation in Canada?

To close a corporation in Canada, you typically need to settle debts, file final tax returns, close CRA program accounts, distribute remaining assets, and file Articles of Dissolution with the appropriate government authority.

Do I need to notify the CRA when closing a business?

Yes. You should file all outstanding tax returns, remit any taxes owing, and request closure of your GST/HST, payroll, import/export, and other CRA program accounts if applicable.

What happens if I stop operating but do not dissolve my corporation?

A corporation may still have ongoing filing obligations, including annual returns and tax filings, even if it is no longer actively operating. Failure to comply can result in penalties or administrative dissolution.

How long does it take to dissolve a corporation?

Processing times vary by jurisdiction and filing method. Online filings are often processed more quickly than paper submissions.

Close a Business

Business Closure Services Made Simple

Whether you're winding down a side hustle, closing a business that never got off the ground, retiring, or moving on to your next venture, we're here to help make the process easier.

Closing a business isn't always as simple as stopping operations. Depending on your business structure, you may need to cancel registrations, close government accounts, or complete other important steps to officially wrap things up.

At Launch a Business, we help entrepreneurs navigate the business closure process with straightforward, affordable services and support when they need it most.

Ready to close your business? Let's get started!

Our Business Closure Services

Cancel an Ontario Business Registration

If you operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or registered business name in Ontario and are no longer carrying on business, you should officially cancel the registration.

We'll prepare and file the cancellation on your behalf, helping ensure your business records are properly updated with the Ontario government.

What's Included?

✔ Preparation of your cancellation filing

✔ Filing with the Ontario government

✔ Confirmation once the registration has been cancelled

✔ Support from our experienced team

Cancel Your Business Registration

Dissolve an Ontario Corporation

If your Ontario corporation is no longer operating, dissolving it officially closes the corporation and removes it from government records.

We'll prepare and file the required dissolution documents on your behalf, making the process simple and straightforward.

What's Included?

✔ Preparation of the Articles of Dissolution

✔ Filing with the Ontario government

✔ Confirmation once the corporation has been dissolved

✔ Support from our friendly team

Dissolve Your Ontario Corporation

Dissolve a Federal Corporation

If your federal corporation is no longer operating, dissolving it officially closes the corporation and removes it from federal government records.

We'll prepare and file the required dissolution documents on your behalf, helping ensure the process is completed correctly.

What's Included?

✔ Preparation of the Articles of Dissolution

✔ Filing with the federal government

✔ Confirmation once the corporation has been dissolved

✔ Cancelling any extra-provincial registrations (if applicable)

✔ Support from our knowledgeable team

Dissolve a Federal Corporation

Not Sure What Needs To Be Closed?

Every business is different.

For some entrepreneurs, cancelling an Ontario business registration may be all that's required. Others may also need to close CRA accounts, cancel licences, dissolve a corporation, or complete final tax filings.

If you're unsure where to start, we're happy to point you in the right direction.

How it Works

1

Choose Your Service

2

Submit Your Information

3

We Handle the Filing

4

Receive Confirmation

Before You Close Your Business

Depending on your circumstances, there may be additional steps beyond cancelling your business registration.

You may also need to:

File outstanding tax returns
Close CRA accounts such as HST or payroll
Pay outstanding debts or obligations
Notify customers, suppliers, or contractors
Cancel permits or licences
Close business bank accounts

Closing your registration is often one piece of the larger business closure process.

Book an Appointment

Got questions? We’ve got answers. Book a quick, no-pressure call to chat about your business plans and how we can help. It’s free, it’s easy, and it could be the start of something great.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know to Change Your Business in Canada!

Brought to you by Launch a Business — your sidekick for getting stuff done fast, smart, and stress-free.

Frequently asked questions

Close a Business

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13