Open ProvincesStarting a business in Northwest Territories: register a name, GST/HST and licences
Where to register a business name in Northwest Territories, the steps in order, federal registrations and where to find grants.
Where to register
Business names and incorporations in Northwest Territories are handled by the Corporate Registries (Justice). If you operate under a name other than your own, you must register the business name with Corporate Registries: the name is approved first, then you register, and the registration must be renewed periodically.
Official page: register a business ↗
The steps, in order
- Choose a structure: sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation. It changes your personal liability, your taxes and your paperwork; for anything beyond a very small activity, talk to an accountant or lawyer.
- Check and register the name with the registry above, if your province requires it for your structure.
- Get a federal business number from the CRA if you will have employees, charge GST/HST, or file corporate tax. Your province's registry may obtain it for you.
- Register for GST/HST when you must: generally once your taxable revenue passes $30,000 in a single calendar quarter (then you register within 29 days of that sale) or over four consecutive calendar quarters; you can register earlier by choice. Use our sales tax calculator for the rates in your province.
- Check licences and permits: your municipality, your trade or sector, and workers' compensation if you will have employees.
- Keep your books and pay on time: self-employed people file their income tax by June 15 but still pay by April 30 (see our tax filing guide).
You will also need online accounts for the CRA and your province: see government online accounts. Looking for grants, loans and programs? Use the business programs finder.
Procedures only: fees, forms and waiting times change, so the official page is the authority. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Quebec has its own rules: see AtlasQuébec.
Guides for this province
- Renting in Northwest Territories: rights, rent increases and average rents
- Working in Northwest Territories: minimum wage, standards and wages
- Moving to Northwest Territories: health card, driver's licence and taxes
- Cost of living in Northwest Territories: prices, rent, wages and taxes
- Buying a home in Northwest Territories: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
- Health care in Northwest Territories: health card, drug plans and dental help
- Studying in Northwest Territories: tuition, student aid and grants
- Seniors in Northwest Territories: pensions, supplements and programs
- Taxes in Northwest Territories: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
- Families in Northwest Territories: child benefits and family programs
- Documents and ID in Northwest Territories: birth certificate and change of name
- Starting a business in Northwest Territories: register a name, GST/HST and licences
- Problems and disputes in Northwest Territories: consumer complaints, small claims, workplace injury and legal aid
- Driving and vehicles in Northwest Territories: switching your licence and what is required
- Photo ID card in Northwest Territories without a driver's licence: who can apply, documents and fee
- Getting married in Northwest Territories: marriage licence, fees and documents
- Health card in Northwest Territories: who qualifies, waiting period and how to register
- When someone dies in Northwest Territories: death certificate, estate and probate
- Registering a child for school in Northwest Territories: age, documents and where to sign up
- Child care in Northwest Territories: fees, finding a space and subsidies
- Immigrating to Northwest Territories: nominee program, steps and processing times
- Accessible parking permit in Northwest Territories: how to apply
- Alcohol rules in Northwest Territories: legal age and where to buy
- Car insurance in Northwest Territories: what is compulsory and where to buy it
- Cannabis rules in Northwest Territories: legal age, where to buy and where to use
- Disability income and supports in Northwest Territories: how to apply
- Prescription drug coverage in Northwest Territories: public plans and how to enrol
- Emergency preparedness in Northwest Territories: alerts, evacuation and your 72-hour kit
- Separation, parenting and child support in Northwest Territories: free help and enforcement
- Help for family violence and victims of crime in Northwest Territories
- Fishing and hunting licences in Northwest Territories: where to buy and what you need
- Health advice line (811) in Northwest Territories: speak to a nurse any time
- Indigenous relations and services in Northwest Territories: who does what
- Marriage licence fee in Northwest Territories
- New drivers in Northwest Territories: graduated licensing stages and minimum ages
- Provincial parks and camping reservations in Northwest Territories
- Probate fees in Northwest Territories: what an estate pays
- Social assistance in Northwest Territories: how to apply for income support
- Social housing and rent help in Northwest Territories: how to apply
- Student loans and grants in Northwest Territories: where to apply
- Voting in Northwest Territories: register, check your status and find your election office
- Wills, powers of attorney and health care directives in Northwest Territories