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File what is owed

Exempt is not excused: the society files its returns every year, charity or not. Only a registered charity may issue a donation receipt a donor can claim on their taxes.

Exempt is not excused: the society files its returns every year, charity or not. Only a registered charity may issue a donation receipt a donor can claim on their taxes. Binds: Every Canadian non-profit; the charity return binds registered charities.

The law’s own words

“No tax is payable under this Part on the taxable income of a person for a period when that person was … a club, society or association that … was organized and operated exclusively for social welfare, civic improvement, pleasure or recreation or for any other purpose except profit, no part of the income of which was payable to, or was otherwise available for the personal benefit of, any proprietor, member or shareholder thereof …”

Income Tax Act, s. 149(1)(l) · Read it at Justice Laws · Verified 2026-11-06

“a return of income … shall be filed with the Minister, without notice or demand for the return, for each taxation year of a taxpayer … in the case of a corporation, by or on behalf of the corporation within six months after the end of the year …”

Income Tax Act, s. 150(1) · Read it at Justice Laws · Verified 2026-11-06

“Every person who, because of paragraph 149(1)(e) or 149(1)(l), is exempt from tax under this Part … shall, within 6 months after the end of each fiscal period of the person and without notice or demand therefor, file with the Minister an information return for the period …”

Income Tax Act, s. 149(12) · Read it at Justice Laws · Verified 2026-11-06