Basic guidelines

Checklist

☐ Engage only in allowable activities. A registered charity is allowed to carry out its charitable purposes both inside and outside Canada in the following ways:

• carrying on its own charitable activities through
  • its staff and volunteers
  • an intermediary (over which a charity must exercise direction and control)
• making qualifying disbursements through
  • gifts to qualified donees 
  • grants to non-qualified donees that meet accountability requirements under the Income Tax Act.   

Regardless of how it operates, a registered charity must not engage in activities that directly or indirectly support or oppose a political party or candidate for public office or unrelated business activities.

☐ Keep adequate books and records. A registered charity must keep adequate books and records for the prescribed time period at an address in Canada that is on file with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

☐ Issue complete and accurate donation receipts. A registered charity may only issue official receipts for donations that legally qualify as gifts. An official receipt must contain all the information specified in Section 3501 of the Income Tax Regulation. See sample receipts.

☐ Meet annual spending requirement (disbursement quota). The disbursement quota is the minimum amount that your registered charity is required to spend each year on either its own charitable activities or its qualifying disbursements through gifts to qualified donees or grants to non-qualified donees.

☐ File annual T3010 information return. A registered charity must file an annual T3010 information return (together with financial statements and required attachments) no later than six months after the end of the charity's fiscal period.

☐ Maintain the charity's status as a legal entity. A registered charity that is constituted federally, provincially, or territorially must meet other specific requirements (in addition to the requirements of CRA) in order to maintain its status as a legal entity. This may include annual filing and/or annual fees. A registered charity should check with the relevant authorities to verify these additional requirements.

☐ Inform the Charities Directorate of any changes to the charity's mode of operation or legal structure. A registered charity should get confirmation from the Charities Directorate (the Directorate) before changing its stated objects and/or activities to make sure they qualify as charitable. A registered charity should inform the Directorate if it changes its name, telephone number, address, contact person or governing documents (constitution, letters patent, etc.) and must obtain prior approval from the Directorate before changing its fiscal year-end.

This checklist is for the charity's use only. Do not mail to the CRA or file with the return.