Receipting for Canadian Registered Charities - November 2024

Properly issuing official donation receipts has been challenging for many registered charities. According to the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), 89% of registered charities that are audited by CRA are not correctly issuing official donation receipts. Issuing incorrect receipts can result in revocation, suspension of receipting privileges or penalties. It is easier to do it right than fix problems later!

Topics covered in this course include:

• When are charities allowed to issue official donation receipts? (“tax receipts”)
• Why are receipts so important
• What are the top Canadian registered charity receipting mistakes
• Review of information required on an official charitable tax receipt
• CRA’s sample official donation receipts
• What is a gift under the Income Tax Act (Canada)?
• Is the donation a gift?
• Is there an obligation to issue receipts?
• Who is the donor?
• What is split receipting and how does it affect galas, golf and other fundraisers?
• How do you correct or replace official donation receipts?
• Can you issue a receipt for a gift certificate?
• Can you return a gift?
• Are funds given by a business considered a gift or a sponsorship?
• Can you provide receipts for donors to third party fundraising events?
• Use of computer generated and e-mail receipts
• Is it appropriate to receipt for expenses of volunteers who travel abroad?
• Problems, abuses and consequences of improper receipts
• What is a gift in kind?
• What is fair market value of a gift and how to determine fair market value?
• What is “deemed” fair market value and how will it change the amount of the eligible amount of the gift?
• Receipting of gift in kind donations and special issues with gifts in kind
• When do you need to appraise gifts in kind?
• Can you receipt for donors of items to an auction?
• Can you receipt a successful bidder at an auction?
• What are some best practices for gifts in kind donations?

This receipting course will be of interest to staff at non-profits and charities responsible for compliance issues especially receipting and fundraising, professional advisors such as lawyers and accountants who advise charities and non-profits, and board members of Canadian registered charities.

Those who attend this course will have access to a recording of the course for 1 year after the event as well as access to a new and updated Receipting Kit.

If you have questions, please call Daniela Campos at 416-361-1982 ext. 252 or e-mail [email protected].

Host or Publisher Blumberg Segal LLP