For many business owners, successfully registering a corporation or obtaining a Money Services Business (MSB) license feels like the final administrative hurdle. But in reality, registration is just the beginning.
Ongoing compliance obligations in Canada are extensive, and surprisingly easy to overlook. Yet missing a single filing or update can lead to the company losing its “good standing” status, result in penalties, trigger audits, or even put your business status at risk. We often see companies that are confident they’re in good standing, only to discover that they’ve missed critical deadlines or failed to file required reports. If you’re running a corporation or MSB in Canada, here’s what you need to know:
Ongoing compliance obligations in Canada are extensive, and surprisingly easy to overlook. Yet missing a single filing or update can lead to the company losing its “good standing” status, result in penalties, trigger audits, or even put your business status at risk. We often see companies that are confident they’re in good standing, only to discover that they’ve missed critical deadlines or failed to file required reports. If you’re running a corporation or MSB in Canada, here’s what you need to know:
Beyond Registration: What Many MSBs and Corporations Overlook About Ongoing Compliance
For All Corporations in Canada
Regardless of size, activity, or industry, every corporation has a set of legal obligations that recur annually or whenever key changes occur.
1. Annual Corporate Return (Not a Tax Filing)
Every federally or provincially incorporated company must file an annual corporate return, which is different from the corporate income tax return. This return updates the government registry with your corporation’s status and confirms that it is still active.
Deadline: Within 60 days of your incorporation anniversary.
2. Corporate Income Tax Return
Even if your corporation is non-operating or based abroad, you are required to file a corporate income tax return with the CRA.
Deadline: Within 90 days of your fiscal year end.
3. Changes to Corporate Information
If your corporation changes its directors, registered office address, or other structural details, you must report the update to the relevant corporate registry.
Deadline: Within 30 days of the change.
These filings help keep your business legally active and transparent to regulators and financial institutions. Neglecting them can lead to late fees, loss of good standing, or even involuntary dissolution.
Regardless of size, activity, or industry, every corporation has a set of legal obligations that recur annually or whenever key changes occur.
1. Annual Corporate Return (Not a Tax Filing)
Every federally or provincially incorporated company must file an annual corporate return, which is different from the corporate income tax return. This return updates the government registry with your corporation’s status and confirms that it is still active.
Deadline: Within 60 days of your incorporation anniversary.
2. Corporate Income Tax Return
Even if your corporation is non-operating or based abroad, you are required to file a corporate income tax return with the CRA.
Deadline: Within 90 days of your fiscal year end.
3. Changes to Corporate Information
If your corporation changes its directors, registered office address, or other structural details, you must report the update to the relevant corporate registry.
Deadline: Within 30 days of the change.
These filings help keep your business legally active and transparent to regulators and financial institutions. Neglecting them can lead to late fees, loss of good standing, or even involuntary dissolution.
For All Corporations in Canada
For MSBs: Additional Layers of Compliance
MSBs face even more regulatory oversight from FINTRAC and the Bank of Canada.
1. FINTRAC MSB Registration Renewal
MSB registrations must be renewed every two years. The renewal involves providing updated information about your business activities, including transaction volumes and the currencies you handle.
2. Reporting Changes to Business Information
Changes to directors, compliance officers, registered addresses, or controlling individuals must be reported to FINTRAC.
Deadline: Within 30 days of the change.
3. Ongoing Reporting Obligations
MSBs are required to report:
4. Bank of Canada Annual Report
Each MSB must also submit a report of operations to the Bank of Canada by March 31, covering activities from the previous year. Any changes to your business structure must also be reported.
MSBs face even more regulatory oversight from FINTRAC and the Bank of Canada.
1. FINTRAC MSB Registration Renewal
MSB registrations must be renewed every two years. The renewal involves providing updated information about your business activities, including transaction volumes and the currencies you handle.
2. Reporting Changes to Business Information
Changes to directors, compliance officers, registered addresses, or controlling individuals must be reported to FINTRAC.
Deadline: Within 30 days of the change.
3. Ongoing Reporting Obligations
MSBs are required to report:
- Large cash transactions of $10,000 CAD or more
- Suspicious transactions, regardless of amount
- Transactions related to high-risk countries (such as Russia, Iran, or North Korea). These reports must be submitted within 24 hours through FINTRAC’s online portal.
4. Bank of Canada Annual Report
Each MSB must also submit a report of operations to the Bank of Canada by March 31, covering activities from the previous year. Any changes to your business structure must also be reported.
For MSBs: Additional Layers of Compliance
Why Compliance Slips Through the Cracks
The reality is, most business owners are focused on growth, not regulatory checklists. But regulators expect businesses to keep up, and falling behind can result in more than just fines. A single lapse can delay a banking relationship, impact licensing, or lead to regulatory audits.
Our Solution: The Annual Compliance Maintenance Package
We designed our Annual Maintenance Package to take this burden off your shoulders. Whether you're running a holding company, a start-up, or a fully operational MSB, our service keeps you fully compliant with:
Our team monitors all deadlines and handles the documentation, so you can focus on running your business with confidence.
If you’re unsure whether your corporation or MSB is meeting all its ongoing compliance obligations, now is the time to get organized.
Contact us to learn more about our Annual Maintenance Package and how we can help you stay compliant, audit-ready, and stress-free.
The reality is, most business owners are focused on growth, not regulatory checklists. But regulators expect businesses to keep up, and falling behind can result in more than just fines. A single lapse can delay a banking relationship, impact licensing, or lead to regulatory audits.
Our Solution: The Annual Compliance Maintenance Package
We designed our Annual Maintenance Package to take this burden off your shoulders. Whether you're running a holding company, a start-up, or a fully operational MSB, our service keeps you fully compliant with:
- Annual and tax return reminders and filing
- Corporate registry updates
- FINTRAC and Bank of Canada reporting
- Ongoing support for structural or operational changes
Our team monitors all deadlines and handles the documentation, so you can focus on running your business with confidence.
If you’re unsure whether your corporation or MSB is meeting all its ongoing compliance obligations, now is the time to get organized.
Contact us to learn more about our Annual Maintenance Package and how we can help you stay compliant, audit-ready, and stress-free.
