The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers outreach visits to selected charities to help them understand their GST/HST obligations and to claim all eligible amounts they are entitled to. Outreach provides charities an opportunity to ask questions. The purpose of a visit is to provide your charity with information, and to help better understand your charity’s GST/HST obligations.

How an outreach visit works

CRA is currently only providing this service to specific charities and locations. If you are selected for a visit, you will be contacted by mail or telephone. An outreach visit from an Outreach Officer is not an audit or examination.

What to expect from an outreach visit

An Outreach Officer will:

• Share information, support and provide in-person guidance to help your charity understand its GST/HST obligations and to claim all eligible amounts it is entitled to.
• Provide assistance in reviewing information to help your charity address any potential issues before filing its next GST/HST return or rebate application.
• Personalize the service to address your charity’s specific circumstances and needs.

After the outreach visit

An Outreach Officer will:

• Summarize findings to provide your charity with any relevant issues identified.
• Provide recommendations that were discussed during the visit.
• Provide a checklist of CRA publications to assist in accessing important information in the future.

Related link

• Guide RC4082 – GST/HST Information for Charities