Many Iranian newcomers arrive with entrepreneurial experience and want to keep building. This page covers the legal basics of starting a Canadian business — federal vs provincial incorporation, the CRA Business Number, GST/HST registration, basic bookkeeping, BDC and Futurpreneur funding, and the Start-Up Visa pathway.
Federal incorporation under the CBCA gives you nationwide name protection for about $200 online. Provincial incorporation (e.g. Ontario's OBCA) is cheaper and faster but only protects you inside that province. Pick federal if you plan to operate across provinces or build a national brand; provincial if you're staying local.
The Business Number is a 9-digit CRA identifier that links all your business tax accounts: GST/HST, payroll, import/export, and corporate income tax. Registration is free through Business Registration Online. If you incorporated federally or in most provinces, a BN is usually issued automatically as part of that process.
CRA — When to register for GST/HST
Once your worldwide taxable revenue crosses $30,000 in any rolling four-quarter period, you lose "small supplier" status and must register for GST/HST. Many businesses register voluntarily from day one anyway, because registration lets you claim Input Tax Credits on every taxable expense your business pays.
CRA requires you to keep business records for six years. Open a dedicated business chequing account from day one, number every invoice sequentially, and use QuickBooks, Wave (free), or Xero. The single most common newcomer mistake is mixing personal and business expenses on one card — separate them from the start.
CRA — GST/HST rates by province
Sales tax rate depends on where the customer is, not where you are: Ontario 13% HST, Alberta 5% GST only, BC 5% GST plus 7% PST. Every compliant invoice must show your GST/HST number, the date, the pre-tax amount, the tax broken out separately, and the total. Without those, your customer can't claim their Input Tax Credit.
Business Development Bank of Canada
BDC is the federal Crown corporation dedicated to small-business financing — startup loans, equipment financing, and growth/export capital. Their underwriting is generally more flexible than the big-five banks, and they run targeted programs for newcomers, women entrepreneurs, and technology firms. Initial consultations are free.
Futurpreneur provides up to $60,000 in financing for entrepreneurs aged 18–39 ($20,000 from Futurpreneur plus $40,000 from BDC) along with two years of free mentorship. Strong collateral or perfect credit isn't required — they evaluate the business plan and the founder. Particularly accessible for young newcomers without Canadian credit history.
If you're an innovative founder who can secure backing from a designated Canadian VC, accelerator, or angel group, the Start-Up Visa is a direct path to permanent residence. You need CLB 5 in English or French and a genuinely scalable business — not a restaurant or retail shop. The IRCC page lists every designated organization.
The federal government buys billions annually and small Iranian-Canadian businesses are eligible to bid. CanadaBuys replaced Buyandsell.gc.ca in 2022 as the official federal procurement portal — registration is free. MERX adds provincial, municipal, and broader public-sector tenders. A Procurement Business Number is the entry requirement.
Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) get the Small Business Deduction on the first $500,000 of active business income, dropping the combined federal-plus-provincial rate to roughly 10–13% (e.g. 9% federal + 3.2% Ontario = 12.2%). Above that threshold, the general corporate rate jumps to roughly 26.5%, depending on province.
For incorporation, T2 corporate returns, GST/HST filings, or a Start-Up Visa application, browse Farsi-speaking accountants and lawyers in our directory.
Farsi-speaking accountants & lawyers →
Information current for 2026