DiscoverThe Canadian Charity Law PodcastThe CRA Rejected Your Application to Register a School as a Charity I Here's Why
The CRA Rejected Your Application to Register a School as a Charity I Here's Why

The CRA Rejected Your Application to Register a School as a Charity I Here's Why

Update: 2025-12-17
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This episode provides a detailed guide outlining ten common reasons why a private school's application for charitable registration may be rejected by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

It explains that rejections often occur because the school's structure, purposes, or activities fail to meet specific legal requirements for the "advancement of education" under charity law.

Key pitfalls include having purposes that are not exclusively charitable, using teaching materials that are biased or lack educational value, or operating programs that lack sufficient structure and assessment components.

Furthermore, applications can be denied if the beneficiary group is improperly restricted or if the school provides more than incidental private benefit, such as excessive compensation to founders.

The overall message is that schools must meticulously align their governance and operations with the CRA’s strict criteria for public benefit to achieve charitable status.

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The CRA Rejected Your Application to Register a School as a Charity I Here's Why

The CRA Rejected Your Application to Register a School as a Charity I Here's Why

Staff at B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation