Harper Government encourages Canadians to take advantage of the first-time donor’s super credit this holiday season

Ottawa, Ontario, December 10, 2013 - The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, today met with representatives from the United Way Ottawa to encourage Canadians to take advantage of the first-time donor's super credit and to make a difference in their communities during the holiday season by giving to a registered Canadian charity.

“Canadians are well known for supporting those in need and the holiday season offers the perfect opportunity to donate to a favourite charity or cause”, said Minister Findlay. “The first-time donor's super credit is designed to support families and communities, including Canada's charitable sector. We want to continue to foster and promote Canada's culture of giving and to encourage everyone to donate generously to charities that do so much good work in our communities.”

Individuals qualify as first-time donors if neither they nor their spouse or common-law partner has claimed the charitable donation tax credit since 2007. Monetary donations made by first-time donors after March 20, 2013, qualify for the first-time donor's super credit. The credit can be claimed starting in 2013 and will continue through to 2017. Canadians must donate by December 31^st to qualify for a tax credit for the 2013 tax year.

“On behalf of United Way and the more than 100 other charities that we work with, I want to acknowledge the government for its role in encouraging a culture of philanthropy across our country”, said Michael Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer. "In many ways the charitable sector and government need to work together to find creative ways to enable donors to think both with their head and heart about their charitable giving. The holiday season is a great time for first-time donors to consider leveraging this new tax credit while building a better tomorrow for all Canadians."

In 2012, federal tax assistance for charitable donations was more than $2.9 billion. The first-time donor's super credit was introduced in the Economic Action Plan 2013 to encourage new donors to give generously to charities. It provides an extra 25% credit in addition to federal and provincial charitable donation tax credits. This means that donors can get a 40% federal credit for monetary donations of $200 or less, and a 54% federal credit for the part of donations over $200 and up to $1,000.

For more information on the first-time donor's super credit, go to www.cra.gc.ca/fdsc.

For more information on donating wisely, go to www.cra.gc.ca/donors.

Canada Revenue Agency

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