What you need to know when registering a business name. Do I have to register my business name?
Should I register a business name or should I incorporate? How do I register my business name in Manitoba?
Once my business name is registered, am I registered across Canada?
Once my business name is registered, how often must I renew the registration? What do I do if there is a change of address?
Do I need a licence to operate?
Where do I apply for a government business loan? Where do I register a logo for my business?
Do I have to carry Workers Compensation?
Should I wait until my business name is registered before ordering business cards and stationery?
What do I need to open a bank or credit union account? Other government offices you may wish to contact.
What you need to know when registering a business name:
Finding and registering a business name is one of the most important steps you will take when starting your own business. Usually, it's the first step you take. Under Manitoba law, you must register your business name with the Companies Office, which is a public registry of all businesses operating in the province.
Registering a business name is only one step in starting your business, so you may have questions about other procedures and requirements. This page gives answers to some common questions people ask when they have decided to register their business name, rather than incorporate. Since many of these questions concern other government offices, we have included the names and addresses of some offices you may wish to contact. However, the page is not intended to convey legal advice, and you may find it useful to consult a lawyer.
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Do I have to register my business name?
Yes, this is necessary if you:
• carry on business under a name other than your own (example: ABC Plumbing) • have a partner
• use your surname in the name of the business, but the name indicates more than one person is involved. (example: Smith & Associates Plumbing)
Should I register a business name or should I incorporate?
That decision is yours to make. You may want to talk to your lawyer about the advantages or disadvantages of incorporating your business.
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How do I register my business name in Manitoba?
There are two steps to registering: Reserving the name:
To find out if the name you have chosen is available, you must file a Request for Name Reservation with the Companies Office. The fee is $45. If approved, the name will be reserved for 90 days. If it is rejected, you must choose a new name, file again and pay another $45.
To determine if there is a similar name on record before you file your name search, you may want to look in the Yellow Pages or at the list of registered names in our office. Registering the name:
File the registration forms before your reservation expires. The fee is $60. Please write separate cheques if you are filing your Request for Business Name Reservation and the registration forms together.
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Once my business name is registered, am I registered across Canada?
No. Your business name is registered only in Manitoba. If you are interested in doing business in other provinces, contact our office for the addresses and phone numbers of the Companies Offices in those provinces.
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Once my business name is registered, how often must I renew the registration?
Your business name must be renewed every three years, or it will expire.
What do I do if there is a change of address?
You file a Change of Address form with the Companies Office if: • the business moves
• the owner(s) move(s) • the mailing address changes There is no filing fee.
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Do I need a license to operate?
Registration of your business name doesn't give you a business licence. You may have to apply for a municipal and/or a provincial licence. The booklet Starting a Small Business in Manitoba contains valuable information about requirements that must be met with other provincial departments. You can obtain a copy from the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre at 984-2272 or toll-free at 1-800-665-2019.
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Where do I apply for a government business loan?
Contact the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre at 984-2272 (1-800-665-2019) for information about a business start loan.
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Where do I register a logo for my business?
Contact the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre at 984-2272 (1-800-665-2019 toll-free).
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Do I have to carry workers compensation?
Most businesses who employ workers, even on a casual basis, must register with the Workers Compensation Board and provide coverage for their workers. Contact the board at 954-4505 (1-800-362-3340 toll-free).
Should I wait until my business name is registered before ordering business cards and stationary?
Yes. If, for some reason, your business name cannot be registered, the money you spent on stationery has been wasted.
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What do I need to do to open a bank or credit union account?
A bank or credit union may ask you for a processed copy of your business name
registration form before opening an account for you. Contact your financial institution to be sure.
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Other government offices you may wish to contact:
Information on Starting a Business/Business Start Loans Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Avenue P.O. Box 2609
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4B3
Phone: 984-CBSC (2272) or toll free 1-800-665-2019 TTY: 1-800-457-8466 Fax: 983-3852
E-Mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.cbsc.org/manitoba Direct Seller's Licence (Manitoba) Consumers Bureau
302 - 258 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0B6 945-3800
1-800-782-0067 toll-free
E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 945-0728
Business Licences: Winnipeg City of Winnipeg Licence Branch 18-81 Garry Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4X3 986-6420
Provincial Sales Tax (PST) Retail Sales Tax Branch 101 - 401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 945-6444
1-800-782-0318 toll-free 1-800-564-9789 toll-free Fax: 948-2087
Workers Compensation Employer Services
Workers Compensation Board 175 Hargrave Street, 5th Floor Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R8 954-4505
1-800-362-3340 toll-free Fax: 954-4900
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Central Excise Region, Revenue Canada Main floor, 325 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4T4 983-3918
1-800-959-5525 toll-free Fax: 984-7002
Copyrights, Trademarks and Logos
Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre 250 - 240 Graham Avenue
P.O. Box 2609
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4B3
Phone: 984-CBSC (2272) or toll free 1-800-665-2019 TTY: 1-800-457-8466 Fax: 983-3852
E-Mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.cbsc.org/manitoba
