By C. Yvonne Chenier, QC Since 2007 Albertans have enjoyed what has been dubbed by some a “Super Credit” for donations to their favourite charities. In the spirit of generosity in 2007, the Alberta Government enhanced the tax credit to 21% from 12.75% on total annual donations over $200. Combining this with the Federal Tax […]
By C. Yvonne Chenier, Q.C. The wrong words in a document such as a will, or an estate administration misunderstanding in today’s legislative environment could cause problems for charities. Although I was one of the early members of the planned giving “allied professionals” network in the 1990’s and have spoken at many conferences and workshops […]
By C. Yvonne Chenier QC If I had time to dream at this time of the year, I would certainly conjure up the kind of vision found in a certain famous Christmas poem originally attributed to an anonymous author in the 1800s. My 2014 version would go something like this: ‘Twas the month before […]
By Yvonne Chenier Q.C. The social enterprise movement is gaining momentum in the non-profit and charitable sectors. There are frequently articles in the popular news about “successful” not-for-profits expanding their activities to include revenue generating activities. There are enterprises like the old standby enterprise of selling used clothes and goods, but we hear more about […]
By: C. Yvonne Chenier In typical majority government style (at least in Alberta) the PC Government brought in surprise and fast changes that will affect the non-profit sector in Alberta and even elsewhere in Canada. Bill 12 the Statutes Amendment Act, 2014, was introduced in the waning moments of the 2014 spring session of the legislature. […]
By C. Yvonne Chenier Q.C. Recent conversations with friends and clients in the charity and non-profit world have given me cause to ponder and investigate the question of whom or what can act as an executor of an estate. This question is an important one today. In generations past, many did not live long enough […]
Avoiding the Wrong Kind of Publicity By C. Yvonne Chenier, Q.C. Newspaper headlines frequently draw the reader’s attention to employee theft from charities and not-for- profit organizations. Recently, there was a headline noting that the former Finance Director at the Royal Academy of Music has been jailed for fraud in the UK. A recent Calgary […]
GOOGLE AND CRA QUESTION AND ANSWER by: C. Yvonne Chenier, Q.C. Q: What do Google and the CRA Charities Directorate have in common? A: They both have “quick view”. In the case of Google, quick view is a snapshot of actual pages that could be downloaded. In the case of the CRA Charities Directorate it […]
REVOCATIONS! by: C. Yvonne Chenier Every once in a while the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency sends out a news release with details about a Charity that has had its charitable status revoked. It is interesting to compare the revocations the CRA widely publicizes in this way and the ones they do not. […]
Santa’s Philanthropy By C. Yvonne Chenier Q.C. Santa considers himself to be a Canadian resident for income tax purposes. He grumbles and files his income tax return like everybody else. One of his new elves used to be an accountant who left it all behind to be an elf. He has looked at Santa’s income […]