In 2010 the UK government introduced measures dealing with “Payments to overseas bodies” by UK charities. The requirements seem common sense to me and I have reproduced them below. For Canadian charities interested in understanding their obligations when operating abroad…
The UK has introduced in 2010 a “fit and proper persons test” for people involved with the management of charities that apply for Gift Aid. “Factors that may lead to HMRC deciding that a manager is not a fit and…
If you register before June 30, 2011 you get a 40% discount on your registration fee. CIVICUS is a great conference and it is in Montreal this year. Here is the program for the CIVICUS WORLD ASSEMBLY in Montréal, 10-12…
The CRA has released letters on the World Islamic Call Society which was a registered charity but recently revoked by the Charities Directorate. The main reasons for revocation were under the headings 1. Failure to meet the definition of a…
According to CRA for 2010 there were claims on abusive charity gifting tax schemes of over $320 million. While a lot better than the 2006 numbers of 1.3 billion – it is still a significant problem. According to CRA the…
Ever have trouble finding a CRA charity policy? Ever wondering whether the Charities Directorate has a policy on something? CRA has now placed in one list policies and guidances to make them easier to locate.
Confused about what a completed T3010-1 looks like? CRA has place sample T3010-1, Registered Charity Information Return, with accompanying forms and financial statements on there website.
Here are some free podcasts from the Charity Law Information Program (CLIP). Topics include: Online and Social Media Fundraising by Canadian Charities with Claire Kerr Financial Policies for Canadian Charities with Stella Penner Expense Allocation for Canadian Charities with…
The Quebec Government has published a draft entitled “Charities – Governance and Best Management Practices”. They are requesting feedback by June 25, 2011. Here is a link to obtaining the document: http://www-es.criq.qc.ca/pls/owa_es/ncw_enquete_publique.liste?p_lang=en&p_type=enquete Here is a reference to the document in…
Here is a copy of Charities Connection 6 from the Charities Directorate of CRA. Charities Connection 6 from the Charities Directorate of CRA
Here is an article by Vancouver Sun reporter David Baines on a BC charity and its revocation by CRA. Here is the CRA summary on their website: “Summary of Reasons for Revocation – R.E.W.A.R.D.S. FOUNDATION Based on the Canada…
A Brampton tax preparer issues in excess of $34 million in false charitable donation receipts, according to CRA. News release Tax preparer found guilty of fraud in charitable donations scheme Brampton, Ontario, May 17, 2011… Eric Armah of Brampton,…
Here are some of the upcoming FREE Charity Law Information Program (CLIP) webinars on appropriate receipting and fundraising with links to the registration pages that I will be delivering. The CLIP program of Capacity Builders is supported by a contribution…
In this procedural motion dealing with the case of Lipson v. Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. 2011 ONSC 2668 the court deals with a proposed class action and certain summons that had been served by the Defendant Cassels Brock &…
Here is a third article in a series by David Baines of the Vancouver Sun on Vancouver charity lawyer Blake Bromley. It deals with the revocation of the registered charity Prescient Group. Here is the full article from the Vancouver…
According to an article in the Ottawa Citizen on May 8, 2011 a Canadian charity that was recently revoked, was revoked because of involvement with terrorism. On globalphilanthropy.ca we noted on April 21, 2011 that the WORLD ISLAMIC CALL SOCIETY…
Reporter David Baines of the Vancouver Sun has written another article on Blake Bromley entitled “Vancouver ‘expert’ in charity law says CRA is targeting his clients”. For the full article see: Vancouver ‘expert’ in charity law says CRA is targeting…
Here is a CRA letter on whether a campus minister with the Navigators of Canada is eligible for the clergy residence deduction pursuant to paragraph 8(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act (the “Act”)? PRINCIPAL ISSUES: Is a campus minister with…
Here is a CRA letter on payments by non-profits to members and students and how it may affect status PRINCIPAL ISSUES: 1. How are certain payments to members taxed and what are the reporting requirements of the organization in respect…
Here is a CRA letter on the clergy residence deduction not being available for a Rabbi working for an organization that is primarily a community services organization. PRINCIPAL ISSUES: Whether a Rabbi, who is an employee of the XXXXXXXXXX (the…
Here is a quite a helpful recent CRA letter confirming that orgs that are unregistered charities do not qualify for the tax exemption provided by paragraph 149(1)(l) as NPOs. There are big differences between non-profits and registered charities. People are…
Many UK charities are interested in fundraising from Canada. Canadians donate approximately $13 billion to charity every year. As well, many UK charities are looking at accessing Canadian Foundation and Canadian federal or provincial government funds. There are many options…
President Obama announced on TV tonight that Osama Bin Laden is dead. With the death of the most high-profile terrorist it could result in a further decline in Al Qaeda’s fortunes or it could result in a resurgence of retaliatory…
While Canadians are debating whether there has been a drop in donations in Canada (I say not when you exclude reductions in abusive schemes) while others say perhaps a 5% drop in donations, there was a shocking article recently in…