30 Jun How to File a T3010 Charity Return

The Importance of the T3010 Return

The T3010 Charity Information Return is a mandatory filing requirement for all registered charities in Canada. Its purpose is to promote transparency with the public, donors, and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by providing details about a charity’s operations, finances, and activities. Filing the return is not just good practice, it is a legal obligation.

Deadline: The T3010 must be filed within six months of your charity’s fiscal year-end.

Missing or late filings can result in:

• Suspension of receipting privileges
• Revocation of charitable status
• Penalties or reputational damage

Even inactive charities must file a return. If your charity is no longer operating, it is recommended that you send a letter to the Charities Directorate requesting voluntary revocation of your registration.

If your organization changes its fiscal year end, you will need to file a separate return for the months between the old fiscal year-end and the beginning of the new fiscal period.

What Information and Documents Do You Need?

In addition to basic details such as the name of your charity, business number (BN) or registration number, and the full names and contact information of your directors, you should gather the following items well in advance of the T3010 deadline:

• Financial statements that include a statement of financial position (balance sheet) and a statement of operations (revenues over expenditures). Notes to the financial statements are recommended for charities with incomes over $250,000.
• A list of qualified donees (organizations recognized by the CRA to receive charitable funds) your charity transferred funds to, as well as a list of non-qualified recipients (grantees) that received grants.
• Information on your directors, trustees, and similar officials for that fiscal period.
• Details on any intermediaries your charity worked with outside of Canada.

The CRA recommends that charities with an income over $250,000 have professionally audited financial statements. If audited statements are not available, the charity’s treasurer should sign the financial statements.

Please note that additional documents, such as correspondence, requests to change fiscal periods, or amended governing documents, should not be included with your T3010 return. These must be submitted separately.

Filing the Return

There are two acceptable methods for filing your T3010 return.

Online Filing

You can submit your T3010 return through your CRA account using the My Business Account (MyBA) portal. The return must be filed by an authorized individual, either a representative listed on the account or a staff member or external accountant using the Represent a Client portal.

The CRA strongly recommends online filing and is likely to make it mandatory in the near future. Filing online allows for faster processing, provides the convenience of saving your progress, and eliminates postage costs.

If you are a director, trustee, or similar official, you can visit the CRA website for instructions on how to register for MyBA.

By Mail

If you prefer to file by mail, ensure you are using the most recent version of Form T3010. Double-check that your return is complete and ensure that all of the following documents are included:

• Form T3010, Registered Charity Information Return
• Financial statements
• Form T1235, Directors/Trustees Worksheet
• Form T1236, Qualified Donees Worksheet (if applicable)
• Form T1441, Qualifying Disbursements: Grants to Non-Qualified Donees (if applicable)

When complete, you may mail your return to:

Charities Directorate
Canada Revenue Agency
105-275 Pope Road
Summerside, PE C1N 6E8

Best Practices

• Plan Early
  Set internal deadlines well before the CRA’s filing date. Begin collecting the required data immediately after your fiscal year-end.
• Involve Your Accountant
  Work with your bookkeeper or external accountant to ensure the financial statements are complete and accurate.
• Review for Accuracy
  Confirm that all figures in your return match the audited, reviewed, or compiled financial statements. Errors or inconsistencies may lead to CRA audits.
• Keep the Board Informed
  Make sure the board of directors is aware of the filing. Directors listed in the return should review and confirm their information.

Final Thoughts

If you are part of your organization’s executive leadership or administration, you are ultimately responsible for complying with reporting requirements. While it is appropriate to delegate the task to internal staff or external advisors, you should remain involved and review the T3010 Charity Return personally.

With recent regulatory changes allowing greater flexibility in how charities operate and make an impact, it is important to ensure you are using the correct version of the form and following the most up-to-date guidelines.

Contact Clearline CPA for personalized assistance in preparing your T3010.