Canadian charities operating in North Korea must pay close attention to Canadian sanctions. These sanctions were recently tightened. Canadian Economic Sanctions Update – 31 July 2009 Entry into force of the Regulations Amending the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolution…
The Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency just released a fillable T2050 Application for charitable status which will make it easier for organizations to complete the form and presumably make it more legible. You can obtain a copy of…
Here is a revised CRA “Questions and Answers” for charitable registration
Here is a CIDA Issues Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and extractive sector (mining, oil). Well worth reviewing for those interested in international development and the importance of natural resources.
Here is a copy of the Annotated T3010B from CLIP. It will be updated periodically to include different information from different sources. The Charity Law Information Program (CLIP) is a project of Capacity Builders, funded by the Canada Revenue Agency.…
Here is a copy of a recent letter from CRA with respect to gifts by Canadians to U.S. charitable organizations. It summarizes CRA’s views on the subject. LANGIND E DOCNUM 2009-0322801E5 AUTHOR Danis, Sylvie DESCKEY 25 RATEKEY 2 REFDATE 090717…
In late July 2009 CRA changed the 2008 T2050 form to the new T2050 (09) – they added a few blank pages to the 2008 revised application form for example for the description of activities. Get the new form.
Imagine Canada just released “A Proposal to Implement Voluntary Standards of Excellence in Canada’s Voluntary Sector”.
Organizations that operate in Quebec or issue official donation receipts to Quebec residents should be aware that Revenu Quebec may require that those organizations either apply to Revenu Quebec for charitable registration or upon the organization receiving CRA status require…
I recently read a short article by Adam Rothwell of Intelligent Giving in the UK. He argues that UK charities are not very transparent. I am not sure that the situation is any different here in Canada. In an article…
Have you ever had trouble finding information on the CRA’s website relating to charities? Well the site has really improved over the last couple of years and is a lot more user friendly. However, here is a suggestion if you…
CRA has just published a reminder to charities that “Issuing receipts Caution: Gifts of services. A registered charity is not permitted to issue an official donation receipt for a gift of service. At law, a gift is a voluntary transfer…
Please note that the following document, although believed to be correct at the time of issue, may not represent the current position of the CRA. Prenez note que ce document, bien qu’exact au moment émis, peut ne pas représenter la…
David Baines, a reporter with the Vancouver Sun, recently wrote an article on a telemarketing firm Xentel DM Inc.. It is entitled “Charity fundraisers not so charitable”. The article is at or http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:nNTR88K0xPUJ:www.vancouversun.com/story_print.html%3Fid%3D1450998%26sponsor%3D+xentel+vancouver+sun&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
I recently read a draft paper entitled Regulating Self-Regulation in the Charitable Sector: Innovation or Contradiction? by Susan D. Phillips, Professor and Director of the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carlton University. It is very well written and…
The new Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act has just received royal assent on June 23, 2009. The act has yet to be proclaimed in force and it will come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order…
CRA has just released “Consultation on the Proposed Guidance on Activities Outside of Canada for Canadian Registered Charities”. CRA is seeking input and comment by September 30, 2009. The Consultation was at [It has now moved to ] Here…
[Here is CRA’s 2012 updated fundraising guidance information – ] CRA has just released its Guidance on Fundraising by Canadian charities. You can see the document in English at: and in French at: It is 35 pages…
This CRA letter discusses when a registered charity (a church), will fund the attendance of children to a week long camp that is associated with the church and when the children that will attend the camp are not children of…
The CRA recently discussed when a charity that provides affordable housing for people with intellectual disabilities is to receive a donation from a parent then “Can a charitable tax receipt be issued when parents make a donation to the charity…
Cassels Brock & Blackwell has just been hit with a major lawsuit over a tax shelter scheme. Here is a copy of the Statement of Claim in Lipson v Cassels Brock Blackwell LLP. None of the allegations in the statement…
Buying lots of computer software can put a real dent in a charities budget. On the other hand software is essential and can save chariites lots of time and money. TechSoup Canada provides very discounted software to Canadian charities. They…
Here is a “Checklist for Charities on Avoiding Terrorist Abuse” put out by the Charity Directorate of Canada Revenue Agency. It is a concise and helpful tool for charities to use to ensure that their resources are not misused by…
The CRA has just published a sample: T3010B, Registered Charity Information Return, with accompanying forms and financial statements. This will be very helpful to charities as the T3010B is a new form. Here is the note: Samples: T3010B, Registered…