What's Inside:

Top Tips For Issuing Proper Donation Receipts

Figuring out how to properly issue a receipt to a donor can be a headache, but it’s critical that you do it correctly. It’s your responsibility to comply with the Income Tax Act and an essential aspect of maintaining charitable status. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) penalizes charities for issuing incomplete or incorrect receipts. This PDF offers thirteen tips to help you issue receipts to the people who support your ministry! Check out our newest publication in the Charitable Receipts category of the CCCC Knowledge Base.

Have You Explored How Your Donors Can Give?

Donor needs are becoming more sophisticated. The CCCC's Community Trust Fund allows donors to create Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), avoiding the arduous process of setting up Family Foundations, as well as facilitating donations of stocks, investment funds, and other securities. We also work hand-in-hand with the donor's professionals to ensure that our members' perspective is maximized!

Trust Reporting Requirements Remain Unclear

UPDATE - Since the release of our November Bulletin, CRA clarified trust reporting requirements. See our blog for details.

As a result of amendments to the Income Tax Act from Bill C-32 that narrow the exceptions for trust reporting, questions have been raised about whether and how it could apply to charities’ internally held trusts. We wrote letters in July and October, and met with other key stakeholders to discuss concerns, priorities, and strategies. At time of publication, the requirements still have not been clarified. We understand that the Department of Finance and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) have discussed the matter and are aware of the sector's concerns about the purpose of such reporting and potential administrative burdens (e.g. time, expense, training, communication, investigation, information gathering and consultation with professional advisors) that charities would bear should the amendments be interpreted in a way that includes internal trusts held by charities. We trust (pun intended!) that the status quo of not requiring additional, separate reporting by charities of their internally held trusts will continue. 

Congratulations To Our Accredited Members!

By demonstrating commitment to integrity, accountability, and transparency through compliance with the CCCC Standards of Accountability, Accredited Members have earned CCCC Accreditation.

Congratulations to the following Accredited Members who recently participated in a scheduled accreditation review and demonstrated their ongoing commitment to CCCC Accreditation standards: Bethany Chapel of Calgary, Christar, PIONEERS, and The Cridge Centre for the Family. We are proud to have you as part of our Accredited Member community!

To find out more about CCCC Accreditation and our Accredited members, visit giveconfidently.ca.

Canadian Churches Making Donations Overseas

Users discuss how to support churches can support pastors and projects in other countries. Users discussed the CRA parameters with giving honorariums for guest speakers as well as how partnership agreements can be set up to satisfy CRA's requirements for direction and control. Users also discussed a new CRA guidance which allows charities to make grants to non-qualified donees with certain criteria. Jump on in for the discussion or share your own experiences!

Time Off For Employees

A great discussion about how much time off employees are given in charities. From provincial legislative requirements to developing policies to sabbaticals, users were sharing what works for them. There are lots of great structures, ideas and resources shared in this thread - you won't want to miss it!