CRA Revokes Charity Registrations

Summary#

The Canada Revenue Agency published a notice in the Canada Gazette under the Income Tax Act saying it will revoke the registered charity status for a long list of organizations. The revocations are effective on the date the notice was published: July 13, 2024.

What it does#

• Confirms that the CRA sent notices of intention to revoke the registration of the charities listed in the Gazette.
• Says the revocations are effective on the date of publication — July 13, 2024.
• Lists each affected charity by business number, name and town so the public can see which organizations are affected.

Who's affected#

• The charities named in the Gazette (a long list appears in the notice). Examples include Canada World Youth / Jeunesse Canada Monde, Design Exchange, and Ravi Zacharias International Ministries Canada.
• Donors to those charities, because a revoked charity generally cannot issue official donation receipts for tax purposes going forward.
• People and communities that receive services or funding from those charities, and staff or volunteers tied to them.
• It is not always clear from the notice whether these revocations are voluntary (requested by the charities) or the full practical effects for past donations; the notice says the revocations followed requests from the charities listed.

Why it matters#

• Registered charity status determines whether an organization can issue official tax receipts for donations. Losing that status can reduce future donations and affect funding.
• Service users may lose programs or supports if a charity closes or changes operations after revocation.
• Donors who gave recently may need to check the timing and tax treatment of their gifts with the charity or the CRA, because the Gazette notice does not spell out the tax consequences for past donations.