You can incorporate in Ontario using an assigned number, such as '1234567 Ontario Inc.,' or an approved corporate name, such as 'Maple Trail Consulting Inc.' Both can be legitimate corporations. The main distinction is the legal name—not a special tax rate or liability protection.
Choose based on brand needs, naming searches, administrative costs and whether you plan to operate publicly under a different name.
What is a numbered company?
Ontario assigns a number as the legal corporate name. It can be convenient when founders do not need the brand built into the corporate name, or are still choosing a public-facing brand.
Example: '1234567 Ontario Inc.' signs a lease as the legal entity and advertises as 'Maple Trail'. Using the trade name may require a separate business-name registration.
What is a named corporation?
A named corporation uses an approved name in its articles, subject to rules and availability. A name search may be needed; the filing process does not by itself give trademark rights.
Do not confuse name registration, corporate-name approval, domain registration and trademarks. Each addresses a different issue.
Are taxes and liability different?
The number or name does not decide the income-tax rate. A qualifying CCPC may access small-business tax treatment regardless of whether its corporate legal name is numbered or named.
Both structures require corporate records, possible HST/payroll program accounts and T2 filing. A corporation's legal identity should appear consistently on contracts and tax records.
How should an invoice look?
Use the proper legal entity and its trade name where appropriate. A customer should be able to understand which corporation supplied the service and which GST/HST number applies.
If several numbered corporations operate related businesses, take extra care with bank accounts, invoices, T2 returns and intercompany balances.
Decision checklist
Ask whether customers must see the corporate brand, whether a name conflict exists, whether a separate operating name is acceptable, and which documentation is needed for licensing and banking.
Either option can be appropriate. What matters is a clear legal identity and consistent operating records.
Sources and further reading
General educational content only. Verify current CRA and provincial guidance before acting.