CRA recently released a letter which discusses acceptable uses of an accumulated surplus by a non-profit organization and whether a benefit to members could result from the use of an accumulated surplus under various scenarios. The organization in question was an unincorporated…
CRA recently released a letter which discusses whether amendments to the method of appointing the Board of Directors for an existing municipal/public body performing a function of government would change a previous ruling of the CRA that the Authority would qualify as a municipal or…
The Canada Revenue Agency ('CRA') recently released an updated guide, the T4033(E) Rev. 16, which assists Canadian registered charities with completing their Form T3010 (annual registered charity information return). Charities with a fiscal period ending on or after January 1, 2016 should use this guide to complete…
The CRA has provided some information on how estate donations will change in 2016. Essentially the tax benefits for bequests and certain designations may increase as there is added flexibility as which income can be offset by the estate's charitable…
On February 11, 2016, the National Post had an article entitled “‘Can I get a tax receipt?’: Tax confusion muddles Syrian refugee sponsorship efforts“. The article discusses some of the complexity around the current receipting rules and how they have…
CRA recently updated several of its webpages relating to charitable donations. Here are the links to CRA's updated webpages: Questions and answers about making donations Which organizations can issue official donation receipts? What types of gifts qualify for charitable tax credits?…
CRA recently released a letter which discusses whether a school chaplain employed by a Catholic school board can claim the clergy residence deduction as per section 8(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act (Canada). CRA had the following comments: Generally, to…
I am looking forward to attending and speaking at the CPA Canada Not-for-Profit Financial Executive Forum which is being held on March 1-2, 2016 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. Here is a link to the CPA Canada Not-for-Profit Financial Executive…
There was recent case of R. v. Raza, 2015 BCSC 2512 (CanLII). The three accused were tax preparers who were charged with fraud for allegedly being involved with the issuance of false donation receipts.
Here is an article “Sunny days for charities and political activities? But lack of transparency results in some clouds” which discusses a recent press release from the Minister of National Revenue dealing with the charity political audit program.
Here is an article “Canadian Charities Helping Syrian Refugees“. It may be helpful for some charities that wish to get involved in the Syria Crisis.
The Department of Finance has requested pre-budget submission. Here is the Blumbergs' Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and the Minister of Finance for the 2016 Federal budget. The Submission deals with transparency in the non-profit and charity sector…
Many Canadian charities and donors wish to assist Syrian refugees and those affected by the conflict. CRA has just released guidance to assist donors and charities understand their legal obligations. Here is the text below: Assisting people affected by the…
Corporations Canada recently released a notice on the public disclosure requirements relating to the corporate information that they collect as part of the services they provide for corporations. The notice from Corporations Canada is a helpful reminder that specific information relating…
In the recent case of Canada v. Scheuer, 2016 FCA 7 the Federal Court of Appeal sided with CRA. A number of people who had invested in abusive tax shelter arrangements sued CRA because CRA had issued a tax shelter number. The…
The CRA will be introducing a new reporting requirement for registered charities. It is a short question relating to partnership holdings. A charity should print the page and submit it with the T3010 filing. Next year (2016 fiscal year)…
Diane Lebouthillier, the new Minister of National Revenue has announced that the 2012 Conservative government initiative to audit more registered charities on the issue of political activities will be wound down. There is a lot in the release and I…
The Department of Finance has released Legislative Proposals Relating to Income Taxation of Certain Trusts and Estates. There are a number of amendments to the Income Tax Act. The Conservative government had previously provided greater flexibility with bequest…
I will be presenting a webinar for Charity Village on January 28, 2016 on Top 20 Compliance Issues for Canadian Charities. Here is a blurb: Top 20 Compliance Issues for Canadian Charities Are you a board member, senior executive or executive director…
In a terrible incident 6 Canadian volunteers working with a Quebec based charity were killed in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso. The Canadian volunteers were there to build a school. Apparently at least 28 people from 18 different countries were…
On Tuesday, April 19, 2016 I will be chairing an OBA program entitled “The Forfeited Property of Dissolved Not-for-Profit Corporations: New Developments in the Law”. There will be 3 speakers from the Ontario government discussing upcoming changes. Here is a description…
Here is a brief article on “Which Canadian charities spent the most outside of Canada in 2013?”
Here is a note on “Which are the largest Canadian registered charities by assets – 2013“
At the 2015 APFF conference roundtable, CRA responded to several questions regarding the charitable registration process: Question 1) Is there a different process depending on whether the entity requesting registration is a charitable organization or foundation? CRA indicated that the…