Being Generous Is Rewarding
Giving to charity is an effective way to reduce your taxable income and help others
You may be able to reduce your taxable income by donating to a registered charity. You can verify whether a charity is registered by searching for it in the CRA Charities Listings at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/charities/online_listings/canreg_interim-e.html
In most cases, the eligible amount of your gift is the amount shown on your charitable donation receipt.
You do not have to claim all of the donations you made this year on your current-year return. You can carry forward any donations you do not claim in the current year and claim them on your return for any of the next five years. Married couples or common-law partners can pool their donations and claim them on one return.
For more information, visit www.cra.gc.ca/charities and choose “Giving: Information for Donors.”
What information must the donation receipt include?
When you receive your donation receipt, it should list the following:
• a statement that it is an official receipt for income tax purposes;
• the charity’s registration number, name and address as recorded with Revenue Canada, Charities Division;
• the place or locality where the receipt was issued;
• the date on which the donation was received or, where property other than cash is received, the actual date of receipt;
• the day on which the receipt was issued, when it differs from the date of the donation;
• amount of the gift; and
• the name and the address of the donor.
Depending on the kind of donation you make, your receipt may require additional information. For example, if you donate something other than cash, your receipt will require more information (such as a description of the property donated) to be valid.
The amount(s) recorded on an official donation receipt, particularly with respect to non-cash gifts, may be subject to review and verification by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Gifts of services are not considered property and do not qualify for a tax receipt.
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