Choose a legal structure for your business
You must choose a legal structure for your business before you can register your business. By law, all businesses operating in Nova Scotia must register with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies except:
- corporations, partnerships and business names formed in New Brunswick
- sole proprietors or partners using only their personal names without a descriptive element or attachment such as 'and Associates' (example: John Smith, not John Smith and Associates)
- sole proprietorships and partnerships whose sole purpose is farming or fishing
When choosing a legal structure for your business, you should consider:
- personal liability
- tax implications
- legal implications
- who will own the business
- rules for naming a business
Types of legal structures
You can choose from these legal structures:
Registration costs and procedures vary depending on the type of legal structure you register.
In Nova Scotia, the incorporation of a non-profit organization is purely voluntary. Non-profit organizations can be incorporated in several ways:
Registry staff can help by describing the registration process and requirements for each legal structure, but if you have any questions about what structure is right for you, you should discuss your options with your legal and accounting advisors.