According to Danie Huppé-Cranford, Director of the Compliance Division of the Charities Directorate the tentative 2011 numbers for abusive charity gifting tax schemes in Canada are down slightly in 2011 compared to 2010. The 2011 tentative numbers for abusive charity…
Here is an updated version of my article Top Ten Canadian Charity Law Issues. incorporating some of the recent changes. A lot has happened over the last 2 years and here is an updated version of Top Ten Canadian Charity…
Here is an excerpt from a speech by Cathy Hawara, Director General of the Charities Directorate of the CRA on the issue of Canadian charities and political activities. “Let me now turn to some of the highlights of Budget 2012…
Here are some comments from Cathy Hawara, Director General of the Charities Directorate, relating to the issue of Canadian charities and ineligible individuals rules in the 2011 Federal Budget. “Now I’d like to move on to another significant change of…
Cathy Hawara, Director General of the Charities Directorate, made some comments on the 2012 Federal budget changes affecting the category of qualified donee charitable organizations outside Canada to which Her Majesty in right of Canada has made a gift. She…
Here are some comments from Cathy Hawara, Director General of the Charities Directorate, relating to the 2011 Federal Budget provisions enhancing transparency for qualified donees (ie. those organizations who can issue official donation receipts). “The first change introduced by Budget…
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
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…
The US House of Representatives is conducting hearings on Tax Exempt Organizations. Here is a link to some of the submissions: Here is some background from the committee: “BACKGROUND: Tax-exempt organizations have long played an important role in the…
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 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…
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 –…
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 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…
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…
Imagine Canada launched today their new Standards Program. It provides accreditation to certain charities and the standards focus on certain issues such as board governance; financial accountability & transparency, ethical fundraising, staff management; and volunteer involvement. .Charities should look at…
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-…
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…
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…
The Charity Commission of England and Wales has released its revised Counter-terrorism Strategy recently. It also has links to a number of helpful UK guidances on how charities should operate to avoid involvement with terrorism. Many of the same principles…
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…
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…
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…
The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently published an article “Good Governance Makes Tax Compliance More Likely, Says IRS Study”. Here is a link http://philanthropy.com/article/Good-Governance-Makes-Tax/131627/?sid=pt&utm_source=pt&utm_medium=en I agree with the premise that if you have poor governance practices then in addition to various…