CRA Revokes Charity Registrations

Summary#

On November 21, 2020, the Canada Revenue Agency published a notice under the Income Tax Act saying it will revoke the registered charity status of a long list of organizations. Each of the charities on the list had asked for their registration to be revoked, and the CRA says the revocations are effective on the date of publication.

What it does#

• Announces that the CRA intends to revoke the registration of the named charities because each charity requested revocation.
• States the revocation takes effect on the date the notice appears in the Canada Gazette (November 21, 2020).
• Publishes the charities’ business numbers and names in the Gazette so readers can see exactly which organizations are affected.
• The notice is signed by Tony Manconi, Director General, Charities Directorate.

Who's affected#

• The charities named in the Gazette notice — they asked to lose their status and are the primary parties affected.
• Donors, volunteers, staff and service users of those charities may notice practical changes (for example, how donations are handled).
• People checking a charity’s registration status (for donations, grants, or reporting) should be aware that these organizations are listed as revoked.

Why it matters#

• Revocation removes a group’s status as a registered charity under the Income Tax Act, which normally means the organization can no longer issue official donation receipts for tax purposes and may lose access to some tax-related benefits.
• Donors who plan to give to any listed organization should check its current status before donating if they need an official receipt for taxes.
• Granting bodies, regulators, or partners that rely on charity registration for eligibility or reporting should note the change for record-keeping and compliance.