Toronto Sun opinion piece “Beware of too-good-to-be-true tax shelters”
Here is an opinion piece that appeared in the Toronto Sun entitled “Beware of too-good-to-be-true tax shelters”. Beware of too-good-to-be-true tax shelters
Canadian Charity Law
Charity law in Canada is a mixture of federal and provincial legislation plus common law and trust law. It is important that registered charities understand their compliance requirements. If you wish to understand your charity law obligations you can retain our law firm by contacting us.
Canadian Charity Law top resources:
CP article “Controversial Islamic school ordered out of Toronto public school property”
The Canadian Press article “Controversial Islamic school ordered out of Toronto public school property” raises some interesting issues. The TDSB is the largest registered charity in Canada with over $3 billion in revenue. Many people don’t know but lots of…
Toronto Star article “Charity tax shelter promoters face criminal probe”
The Toronto Star on May 14th reported that “Seven charitable tax shelter promoters whose schemes have left thousands of Canadians with a $5 billion financial headache are under criminal investigation.” Here is the article: Charity tax shelter promoters face criminal…
CRA imposes two penalties on Canadian charities for “inappropriately funding non-qualified donees”
CRA has imposed a penalty on the HINDU MISSION OF MISSISSAUGA and the HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY OF CANADA. You can read on the CRA website the amounts and the reasons. HINDU MISSION OF MISSISSAUGA http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/charity-eng.action?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cra-arc.gc.ca%3A80%2Febci%2Fhaip%2Fsrch%2Fbasicsearchresult-eng.action%3Fs%3Dpenalized%26amp%3Bk%3D%26amp%3Bp%3D1%26amp%3Bb%3Dtrue&bn=886232198RR0001 HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY OF CANADA…
Charitable Receipting Webinars by Daniel Brunette in French
Here are some webinars with Daniel Brunette on receipting by Canadian registered charities. 101 – Émission de reçus aux fins de l’impôt (Receipting 101- Receipting Basics) https://ocsa.webex.com/ocsa/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=TC&rID=9379322&act=pb&rKey=5197eab786ed8884 201 – Situations spéciales et défis (Receipting 201 –…
Top Ten Canadian Charity Law Issues by Mark Blumberg
So much is written about legal issues relating to charities in Canada. In this article I try to distill the ten most important things you need to know about charity law in Canada. Here is an updated version of the…
The Sheldon Inwentash and Lynn Factor Charitable Foundation Case – public vs. private foundation
The Federal Court of Appeal recently released a decision in The Sheldon Inwentash and Lynn Factor Charitable Foundation matter. Essentially the question is whether a charity that has one trustee can be a public foundation or must it be a…
Mark Blumberg’s submission to the Standing Committee on Finance on transparency
I presented to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance today along with 5 other witnesses. There was a lively discussion of transparency, cross border philanthropy, tax incentives and preventing abuse of registered charities. Here is a copy of…
Receipting webinars for Canadian registered charities in French
Here are some receipting webinars prepared for the Charity Law Information Program in French by Daniel Brunette. They are free and last approximately 1 hour each. 101 – Émission de reçus aux fins de l’impôt (Receipting 101-…
CRA revokes registration of Help Eliminate Disease and Addiction Canada as registered charity
The Canada Revenue Agency has revoked the registration of Help Eliminate Disease and Addiction Canada as a registered charity. Here is the notice from the Canada Gazette: CANADA REVENUE AGENCY INCOME TAX ACT Revocation of registration of a charity…
Canadian Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) review of charitable tax incentives
The Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) is holding hearings on tax incentives for charitable donations. Here is the Finance Committee: Chair – James Rajotte Vice-Chairs – Scott Brison, Peggy Nash Members Mark Adler Guy Caron Shelly Glover Randy Hoback Brian…
AFP International Webinar “Fundraising from Canada” with Mark Blumberg
Here is information on a webinar that I will be delivering with AFP International entitled “Fundraising from Canada” on May 22, 1-2:30 p.m. ET. Fundraising from Canada Overview Ever confused by how to deal with Canadian supporters? The program will…
LA Times article “The worst way to judge a charity”
Here is an interesting article entitled “The worst way to judge a charity”. Notice in paragraph 3 an attack on Canada! The worst way to judge a charity Here is an excerpt: Donating to charity is a worthy action. But…
Mark Blumberg to make presentation on charities to House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance
I have been asked to testify before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance which is studying various issues relating to the charity sector including tax incentives for charitable donations, charities and political activities, and cross border philanthropy. My…
CRA’s New Fundraising Guidance for Canadian Registered Charities 2012 just released
On April 20, 2012 CRA released a new Guidance on Fundraising for Canadian registered charities. This guidance is the most important information from the Charities Directorate on the obligations of Canadian registered charities when it comes to fundraising. Here is…
New free Charities Information Sessions registration announced by the Charities Directorate
The Charities Directorate of CRA does Charities Information Sessions (which used to be called RoadShows). The registration for new sessions has been announced and you can register at: Here is some information from the CRA website: “Charities Information Sessions…
Toronto Star – “Catholic teachers under fire for promoting pro-life motion to students”
Here is an article in the Toronto Star ““Catholic teachers under fire for promoting pro-life motion to students”. Catholic teachers under fire for promoting pro-life motion to students http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1166752—catholic-teachers-under-fire-for-promoting-pro-life-motion-to-students
Finance releases Notice of Ways and Means Motion for 2012 Federal Budget – charity pieces
Finance has just released the “Notice of Ways and Means Motion to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and other measures”. There are also “Explanatory Notes” that are helpful. Here are the parts…
Imagine Canada to launch Standards Program on May 8, 2012
Imagine Canada has announced that they will be launching their new Standards program on May 8, 2012. According to Imagine “The Standards Program features a Canada?wide set of shared standards for charities and nonprofits wishing to enhance and demonstrate their…
Green Living Show panel on budget, the environment and charities
I was on a panel today at the Green Living Show. There was an interesting discussion on the environment, political activities, and charities. 6:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. The Federal Budget Blueprint: What’s Really at Stake Panel Discussion &…
Toronto Star reports “Tax preparer becomes fugitive in fraud case” involving charity receipting
The Toronto Star covered the story of a tax preparer from Vaughan, Ontario who is a fugitive after having prepared thousands of tax returns with fraudulent charitable donation receipts amounting to millions of dollars. Most interesting is that the CRA…
How accurate are the T3010 charity returns when it comes to political activities?
Canadian registered charities must file the T3010 Registered Charity Information Return within six months of the end of their fiscal year, although some are not able to meet that deadline and file soon thereafter. It is a very important form…
CPS-022 CRA’s Guidance on Political Activities and Canadian Registered charities
The Charities Directorate of CRA has a guidance entitled “Political Activities” for Canadian registered charities. CRA notes in the guidance that it”… provides information for registered charities on political activities and allowable limits under the Income Tax Act (the Act).…
Transparency – IRS imposes penalty on charity that allegedly inflated pharmaceutical donation
In an article by The Chronicle of Philanthropy by Caroline Preston entitled “Update: IRS Levies Fine on Food for the Hungry Over Drug Valuations” it describes how the US IRS has levied a penalty against a charity that misreported donations…