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Responsibilities for corporations, cooperatives and organizations

Find out about your obligations and responsibilities after you incorporate a corporation, a cooperative or an organization.

Table of contents

Annual reporting obligations

Be advised that the dissolution program for organizations has resumed. Resumption of the program affects:

  • corporations
  • limited liability partnerships
  • non-profit companies
  • societies

that received a notice from the Registrar of Corporations or the Registrar of Companies for intended dissolution or cancellation to occur between December 2, 2020 and August 2, 2021. Dissolution or cancellation occurs because the organization has not filed a required annual return or report.

You can take your corporation and limited liability annual returns and reports to an authorized service provider. A registration fee will apply.

Annual returns for non-profit companies and societies should be sent to Corporate Registry – Service Alberta at Box 1007 Station Main, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W6. There is no fee.

The dissolution program was suspended in November 2020 because continued public health restrictions prevented some organizations from holding annual meetings and complying with annual reporting obligations.

For more information on Alberta’s COVID-19 response, visit COVID-19 info for Albertans.

Overview

Once your business or organization is incorporated, you will have to meet the responsibilities set out for your organization type below.

You will also have to periodically submit updates such as:

  • annual returns
  • amend notices
  • change notices

Select one of the topics above to learn about your obligation to submit information to Alberta Corporate Registry.

Alberta corporations

Most Alberta corporations must:

You can do business in British Columbia or Saskatchewan under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. You can do so at no charge once you have received your Alberta certificate of incorporation.

Out of province corporations

If your corporation is based in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan, a streamlined process is in place to help you do business in Alberta. You need to report most name changes or request cancellation of your Alberta registration through Alberta’s Online Extra-provincial Registration. There is no cost. Contact a registry office in your home jurisdiction for more information.

If you are reporting a name change, in most cases you will also need to apply and pay for an Alberta Reservation Report (NUANS report) if you do not already have one. You can purchase the report through Alberta's Online Extra-Provincial Registration or from a NUANS provider.

Note: If your corporation has changed to a number name, for example, such as 54343434 British Columbia Inc., no action is required. Your home province will report the name change to Alberta.

If your corporation is from another province or country, select one of the topics above to learn about your obligation to submit information to Alberta Corporate Registry.

Most extra-provincial corporations must:

Alberta cooperatives

Your cooperative must be prepared to resolve their own internal disputes, as the Director of Cooperatives does not supervise the conduct of cooperatives. Court remedies are available through the Cooperatives Act.

Select one of the topics above to learn about your obligation to submit information to the Director of Cooperatives after it is incorporated.

Your cooperative may be responsible for other business obligations as mentioned for Alberta corporations.

You can do business in British Columbia or Saskatchewan under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. You can do so at no charge once you have received your Alberta certificate of incorporation. To register your cooperative in these provinces refer to the information under Incorporate a business or organization.

Out of province cooperatives

If your cooperative is incorporated in British Columbia or Saskatchewan, a streamlined process is in place to help you do business in Alberta. Contact Corporate Registry in your home jurisdiction for more information.

If your cooperative is from another province or country, select one of the topics above to learn about your obligation to submit information to the Director of Cooperatives after it is registered.

Your cooperative may be responsible for other business obligations as mentioned for Out of province corporations.

Non-profit companies and societies

Your non-profit company or society:

  • may be eligible for registration as a charity under the Income Tax Act
  • may need to register if it plans to conduct any fundraising activities in Alberta
  • must be prepared to resolve their own internal disputes, since Corporate Registry does not supervise the conduct of non-profit organizations or provide a counseling service
    • Corporate Registry recommends that company articles of association or society bylaws include a mediation or arbitration procedure to make sure that internal disputes are handled fairly

Select one of the topics above to learn about your obligation to submit information to Alberta Corporate Registry.

Consider whether your board members could profit from Alberta Culture's Board Development Program (BDP). The program addresses the ethical and legal responsibilities of serving on a company or society board, roles and responsibilities of board members and effective committees.

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission is responsible for issuing gaming licences for charitable organizations.

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