Under the Corporations Information Act (Ontario), corporations are required to file an Annual Return with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (the "Ministry") within six (6) months of the corporation's financial year-end to update the public record. The Annual Return provides an updated slate of Directors and Officers to the Ministry, as well as any changes to the corporation's name or address.
For all health and social service providers in Ontario with fiscal years ending March 31, the Annual Return is due to be filed with the Ministry on or before September 30, 2023.
Annual Return filings are required to be completed through the Ontario Business Registry (ontario.ca/businessregistry). A Company Key is required to access the Ontario Business Registry, including to complete the Annual Return. The Company Key is not sent automatically to all corporations and an on-line request is required. Reminder that Annual Returns can no longer be fulfilled through corporate tax and charities returns.
When completing your Annual Return ensure that the number of Directors and Officers listed matches the number stated in your Articles. Failing to do so may result in a notice of non-compliance being issued.
Miller Thomson continues to have the ability to complete Annual Returns on behalf of corporations. Please contact us if you would like assistance in obtaining your Company Key and/or completing your Annual Return.
The Ontario Business Registry was introduced on October 19th, 2021 and allows not-for-profit corporations and other businesses to complete over ninety (90) transactions online. On the same day the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (ONCA) was declared into force and not-for-profit corporations in Ontario have three years to transition governing documents for ONCA compliance. For more information on ONCA and the Ontario Business Registry please see our ONCA Fast Facts Series:
- ONCA Fast Facts
- ONCA Fast Facts: Incorporation as of right
- ONCA Fast Facts: Public benefit corporations
- ONCA Fast Facts: Audits and review engagements
- ONCA Fast Facts: Limits on board delegation
- ONCA Fast Facts: Proxies
- ONCA Fast Facts: Special resolutions
- ONCA Fast Facts: Records and registers
- ONCA Fast Facts: Annual meeting essentials
- ONCA Fast Facts: Member proposal rights
- ONCA Fast Facts: New Amendments to the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
