Tax incentives for giving and volunteering in Canada

This thesis evaluates the tax incentives provided to individuals to encourage charitable gifts and volunteering in Canada. The objectives of the thesis are to determine whether tax incentives are an appropriate tool to encourage charitable giving and volunteering, and whether the incentives presently available in Canada are the right or best tax measures to accomplish this goal.; The Canadian tax system should continue to provide incentives for charitable giving by individuals, primarily through the charitable donations credit. The system for incentives for donations could be improved and made more equitable by converting the current two-tiered credit to a single credit. The preferential treatment of gifts of publicly listed securities should continue. Charitable remainder trusts are explored as a planning tool for donating to charity, and clarification of the tax treatment of these trusts is recommended. Incentives to remove barriers to volunteering are recommended, although the concept of tax credits for donating time and services is rejected. Follow up comparative research is recommended to continue to monitor the impact of tax policy on giving and volunteering in Canada.