If you wish to start your business in Quebec, registering your business with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar (REQ) is an essential step. But what is business registration? Do you know the benefits and costs of registering your business and filing an annual update? In this guide, we explain the process of registering your business in Quebec. Then, we share the best credit card offers for businesses.

Registering a business with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar (REQ) is one of the first steps in the life of an entrepreneur. Although it often happens that a self-employed worker starts their business without registration, registering your business grants it legal existence and offers several benefits.

Registering your business enables you to sign contracts, open a business bank account and take legal action. It also enables you to declare your business income and expenses on your personal tax return. Plus, this formality reinforces your company’s credibility and legitimacy in the eyes of your partners and customers.

The process of registering a business with the REQ is quite simple to carry out. It aims to gather information about businesses and individuals conducting business in Quebec.

This information is essential to citizens, business partners and government agencies that have to deal with them. For example, some banking institutions may check your REQ registration before granting you a business credit card.

When you register your business REQ assigns you a Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ). You can then use your NEQ to, among other things, identify yourself to REQ and other government agencies.

The REQ lists about fifteen types of individuals or legal forms of business that must register. Therefore, anyone or any entity wishing to engage in business activities in Quebec must register, whether it is an individual operating a sole proprietorship, a corporation, or a general partnership (S.E.N.C.).

As the REQ explains, it is also possible to register the following legal forms of business on a voluntary basis:

• Individuals operating a sole proprietorship under a name that includes their family name and first name
• Public corporations: public bodies and municipalities
• Joint venture
• Associations and groups of persons

The advantage of registering voluntarily is that it makes public an enterprise’s existence and specific information concerning it. Once registered, the business will have the same obligations as businesses required to register.

So it’s up to you to choose the form in which you want to register your business. The most important thing is to obtain your NEQ and be listed on the REQ.

Registration fees vary according to the type of business. They are updated annually on the Quebec Government website . Here are the fees for the main legal forms:

Once your business is registered, you must complete certain annual formalities, including:

• Payment of annual registration fees
• Annual update declaration

Here’s more information on these two formalities.

First, here are the annual fees for renewing your REQ registration:

Last but not least, you’ll need to make sure that you file an annual update declaration on time, every year. This declaration is free of charge for all types of business. The annual update declaration is very simple and takes just a few minutes to complete. For sole proprietorships or partnerships, this declaration is made between January 1 and June 15. If you fail to meet the deadline, a late production charge will apply.

The steps involved in registering a business in Quebec depend on the legal form. Unfortunately, this guide cannot explain the steps to follow for all legal forms. So here are the links to find out more about registering your company:

• Registering an individual operating a sole proprietorship
• Establishing a Quebec Corporation
• Setting up a non-profit legal entity
• Registering a general partnership
• Registering a limited partnership
• Registering an association or group of persons
• All legal forms

Once your business registration is complete, you will automatically receive a clicSÉQUR Express access code by mail. This will allow you to log in to “My Office” at the Enterprise Registrar.

ClicSÉQUR is the authentication service of the Government of Quebec. It allows citizens and businesses to securely access various online services offered by the Government of Quebec. By using ClicSÉQUR Express or ClicSÉQUR for businesses, you can access your personal or business information:

• My Office by clicSÉQUR Express: You’ll need your NEQ (10 digits) and your access code (8 letters and digits).
• My Office via ClicSÉQUR for Businesses: You will need your user code (7 letters and digits) and your password (8 to 12 letters and digits).

Access to ” My office ” is useful for, among other things, a new declaration or a modification to the information in your company file. But there are many other services available, depending on the legal form of your company. For example:

• Submit or correct bylaws (merger, modification, or restructuring).
• Submit an update declaration (annual, current, or correction).
• Submit a declaration related to cancellation, liquidation, or dissolution.
• Make a service request such as a name reservation or a request for document copies.
• Pay your annual registration fees

You can contact the customer service of the Enterprise Registrar by phone or by email.

By telephone (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.):

• Quebec region: 418 644-0075
• Elsewhere in Canada or the United States: 1-800-644-0075

By e-mail:

• registre@servicesquebec.gouv.qc.ca

In addition, two Services Quebec offices provide business registry services:

• Quebec office: 1020, route de l’Église, 4th floor, Quebec (Quebec) G1V 3V9
• Montreal: 2050, rue De Bleury, Bureau RC 10 (Station Place-des-Arts), Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3S1

For more information, including office hours and services offered, please refer to this page of the Enterprise Registrar.

Once you’ve registered with REQ, financial management becomes essential. That’s why it’s so much easier to sign up for a business credit card. Here’s our selection of the best cards and the best offers.

Regarding business credit cards, American Express offers the following cards for businesses and self-employed workers:

When it comes to business credit cards, BMO offers the following Mastercard credit cards for entrepreneurs:

Finally, other institutions, such as CIBC, RBC, and Scotiabank, offer credit cards for self-employed workers, professionals, and small business owners.

Once you have chosen a legal structure and completed the registration of your business with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar (REQ), you will receive your Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ). You will have access to a wide range of business services, in addition to business credit cards. However, don’t forget to pay your annual registration fees and file the annual update declaration.