New Consultations: Modernizing Tax Rules for Charities

As the last remnants of a scrumptious Thanksgiving weekend subside, it is appropriate to take a look at the health and issues surrounding the charitable sector in Canada.  Serendipitously, the federal government is seeking your views on how the tax rules for registered charities and the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) administration of these rules could be modernized.  A new consultation was launched on October 8 and here’s what the government wants to know, by December 3, 2026:

Canadian business owners and advisory professionals are facing mounting pressure in a rapidly changing economy, especially in the tax and financial services. Many entrepreneurs are trying to make the decision: sell or scale to grow? It’s well worth the investment of a half day at the Business Builder Summit to think more deeply about your future in your industry.

The Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors (DAC) is Canada’s preeminent conference for advisors from the tax, financial services and it will be held in Victoria, B.C. November 22–24. Be sure to join one of Canada’s most unique multidisciplinary educational and networking experiences and save money by registering before June 30.  

While most T1 returns are in the hands of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by April 30, we know many are not. In fact, millions of returns were still outstanding as of mid-May. Late-filing clients they need to know about the consequences, especially if they owe. Here’s a rundown to be aware of:

If you still have clients who have yet to file their 2025 income tax returns, they may be cheating themselves. There are benefits which are being left on the table and that’s money they could use.

Does your client base include businesses looking to grow into the U.S. market? Perhaps you have clients looking to expand or retire into the U.S., snowbirds, people who want to make a permanent move south or who have multijurisdictional families? 

Canadians continue to give to charity, but the landscape is changing. The percentage of tax filers donating to charity fell from 21.9% in 2013 to 16.8% in 2023, even as average annual donations held steady at $654. At the same time, studies show up to 50% of high-net-worth families expect to increase their giving in 2026, highlighting growing opportunities for strategic philanthropy, legacy planning, and tax-efficient charitable giving.