CRA News
May 2019 Charity & NFP Law Update
New Information Webpages on Supporting Canadian Journalism
The Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) has created new information pages regarding the measures that were proposed in support of Canadian journalism in the 2019 Federal Budget (“Budget 2019”), as discussed in Charity & NFP Law Bulletin No. 443, and subsequently introduced in Bill C-97, as reviewed in the April 2019 Charity & NFP Law Update. The main webpage, “Support for Canadian Journalism – General”, provides links to further information regarding the three proposed measures: qualified donee status; the refundable labour tax credit; and the digital news subscription tax credit. Further, the main webpage provides a general overview, in a question-and-answer format, of the new “Qualified Canadian Journalism Organization” status, including the requirements which an organization must meet in order to benefit from any of the three proposed measures.
CRA Launches Online Consultation on Educational Initiatives for Charitable Sector
On May 14, 2019, the CRA announced that they have established an online consultation process to receive feedback that will “inform the direction of future communications and outreach products” and allow the CRA to more effectively communicate with those in the charitable sector. The CRA is seeking comments and ideas regarding the following topics: communications, outreach and social media; educational videos; graphic online tools; and future outreach and educational products. The online consultation is available on the CRA Engage website and will be open until June 30, 2019.
CRA List of Charities Webpage Moved in Preparation of Charities IT Modernization Project
On May 14, 2019, the CRA also announced that the “List of charities” webpage has been moved and slightly changed in preparation for the launch of the Charities IT Modernization Project (“CHAMP”), which, as discussed in the September 2018 Charity & NFP Law Update, will occur next month in June 2019. The new webpage provides access to a registered charity’s T3010 Registered Information Return information for the last five fiscal periods, while those seeking T3010 information beyond the five-year period can request further information using an online form. Once in place, CHAMP will provide several new e-services, including the replacement of Form T2050, Application to Register a Charity under the ITA, with an online application, online filing of the T3010, Registered Charity Information Return, and the ability to update charities’ information and correspond with the Charities Directorate online through “My Business Account.”