Startups & Structuring

At Blue Ocean Tax, we support entrepreneurs and business owners at the early stages of their business journey and throughout periods of change and growth. Choosing the right structure from the beginning—and revisiting it as your business evolves—can have a significant impact on tax efficiency, cash flow, and long-term success.

Our startup and structuring services are designed for small and owner-managed businesses.

Business Startup Advisory
  • Guidance on whether to incorporate or operate as a sole proprietor
  • Selection of the appropriate business structure
  • CRA account setup (corporate tax, payroll, GST/HST, QST)
  • Year-end selection and planning
  • Startup budgeting and cash-flow projections
  • Business plan support for financing purposes
Incorporation & Professional Corporations
  • Federal and provincial incorporation support
  • Professional corporation advisory
  • Shareholder and ownership planning
  • Owner-manager compensation planning (salary vs dividend)
  • Coordination with legal and regulatory requirements
Corporate Structuring & Restructuring
  • Review of existing corporate structures
  • OpCo / HoldCo planning
  • Tax-efficient growth and reinvestment strategies
  • Passive income planning within corporations
  • Preparation for future sale or succession
Transition & Growth Planning
  • Transition from sole proprietor to corporation
  • Business expansion and restructuring planning
  • Planning for additional shareholders or partners
  • Tax planning for business changes and milestones
Succession & Long-Term Planning
  • Business succession planning
  • Family business structuring
  • Planning for intergenerational transfers
  • Exit readiness and tax minimization strategies
Our Approach

We take a practical and forward-looking approach, helping clients make informed decisions that align with their business goals, risk tolerance, and tax planning objectives. Our advice is tailored to the realities of small business operations, not large or complex enterprises.

The right structure today can prevent costly changes tomorrow.

Who We Serve
  • Startups and newly incorporated businesses
  • Owner-managed small business corporations
  • Professional corporations
  • Family-owned businesses
Residency, Departure & Non-Resident Planning
  • Canadian residency and departure analysis
  • Deemed disposition and departure tax calculations
  • Non-resident withholding tax compliance
  • Ongoing non-resident tax support
  • Cross-border relocation planning
CRA & IRS Compliance Support
  • CRA and IRS correspondence support
  • Audit and review assistance
  • Voluntary disclosure submissions
  • Correction of prior-year filing issues
  • Penalty and interest mitigation strategies
Our Approach

We take a coordinated and practical approach to cross-border tax matters, ensuring compliance on both sides of the border while reducing the risk of double taxation. Our services are focused on individuals and small, owner-managed businesses, not large multinational enterprises.

Cross-border tax planning requires coordination—not guesswork.

Who We Serve
  • Canadian residents with U.S. income or assets
  • U.S. citizens and residents living in Canada
  • Small business corporations with U.S. activities
  • Owner-managers with cross-border investments
  • Individuals relocating between Canada and the U.S.
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