Do I need a business license?
There are many licenses for different types of business in Nova Scotia. Search the Nova Scotia Permits Directory to find out if your business will require special permits.
Additionally, some municipalities also have licenses for specific types of business. Search on the Halifax Regional Municipality web site if your business will be located in that area.
For others, contact the municipalities directly.
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Do I need a tax number?
You must register for and charge the harmonized sales tax (hst) if:
- you sell or provide taxable goods or services in your commercial activities in Canada and your total taxable revenues were more than $30,000 in the immediately preceding four consecutive calendar quarters, or exceed $30,000 in a single calendar quarter.
If your sales do not exceed $30,000 in four consecutive calendar quarters, you do not need to register, nor charge HST.
There may be instances when registering early can give you certain advantages, such as the right to claim the HST you pay on your business's start-up expenses from the time you register. For more information, contact Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (formerly Revenue Canada) at 1(800) 959-5525 or obtain a copy of their publications General Information for GST/HST Registrants or Guide for Canadian Small Businesses.
If you wish to register for the HST, you need a Business Number (BN). If you have recently registered your company name at the Registry of Joint Stock Companies, you will already have a BN. If not, just contact Canada Customs and Revenue Agency Business Window (formerly Revenue Canada) at 1-800-959-5525 and explain that you want to register for the HST. You will be provided with a Business Number application form, or you may register over the telephone. BN Applications are also available at the C/NSBSC.
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Is there any financial assistance to start or expand my business?
One of the most popular requests is for information on Government Grants! "Are there any grants for my Small Business?"
Government terminology varies in that some programs are called grants, some are called contributions, some refer to subsides, etc. They usually have very specific criteria, and are targeted to a very specific client. Therefore, you have to determine if the program is appropriate for your business. Remember that the word grant is rarely used in government program descriptions.
Go to the Financing section or search for Government Programs and Services for information on the available programs for your type of business.
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I will be hiring employees -- is there a checklist of what I need to do?
Contact the following organizations:
- Canada Customs & Revenue Agency (1-800-959-5525) for Business Number and Payroll Deductions information, or visit their web site for guides
- The Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (1-800-870-3331) if hiring more than 3 employees, or visit their web site.
- The Nova Scotia Department of Environment & Labour - Labour Standards office (1-888-315-0110) for information on minimum wage rates, hours of work, overtime & vacation pay, and the Occupational Health & Safety office (1-800-952-2687) for health & safety requirements or visit their web site.
- The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission for a Human Rights Guide, or visit their web site.
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How do I protect my invention? Do I really need to protect it?
Patent, Trademark, Copyright, Industrial Design and Integrated Circuit Topographies are all forms of Intellectual Property. Contact the Intellectual Property Specialists, one of our on-site partners who can answer questions on intellectual property matters or go to their web site.
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What should I know before I buy an existing business?
The key to successfully purchasing a business is to fully investigate before you commit yourself.
Buying a Business provides some points to consider on costs, profits, liabilities, purchase agreement, and determining the price or value of a business.
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Can you help me find a supplier / wholesaler / manufacturer for a specific product?
The Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre, has at its fingertips multiple databases and directories which can provide you with supplier information for Canada, US, and International companies. This information can be searched by company name and/or product description, and geographical location.
Refer to our Links section for lists of available databases of suppliers on-line.
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How do I get information on government tendering procedures?
Federal
Information on federal government contracts of less than $25,000 can be obtained from Contracts Canada.
Contracts in excess of $25,000 from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as hundreds of universities, hospitals and school boards, can be obtained from the MERX website.
Information on Aboriginal Business and government contracting can be found at the website for The Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business.
Provincial
Procurement opportunities for the Government of Nova Scotia can be found at the Procurement Branch of the Department of Finance
Municipal
Procurement opportunities for the Halifax Regional Municipality can be found at the HRM Procurement Opportunities Notice Board.
Links to Nova Scotia Communities on the Internet.
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Do I need a licence to play music in my store or restaurant?
Performances of music in public, i.e. restaurants, stores, clubs, hotels, dance halls, offices, etc. require a license. This license is necessary whether the music is performed live or by recorded means. For more information, contact SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada at 1-800-707-6226 or visit their web site
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