Registration number

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Registration number

Under no circumstances should a registered charity lend its registration number to another organization for receipting purposes. A registered charity is responsible for all tax receipts issued under its name and number and must account for the corresponding donations on its annual information return. A charity that lends its registration number risks losing its charitable registration.

The registration number assigned to a registered charity has the following format:

Business Number

Program identifier

Reference number

123456789

The nine-digit business number is unique and identifies your organization. It stays the same no matter how many or what type of CRA accounts you have.

RR

The two letters RR identify the type of account as a registered charity.

0001

The last four digits make it possible to distinguish between same program accounts, such as internal divisions.

The charity's registration number must be written in full on all official donation receipts and must include the business number, the proper program identifier (RR), and the reference number.

The four-digit reference number is usually 0001. However, a registered internal division of a head body is assigned its own four digits, for example, 0002.

Other program identifiers:

  • RT - goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax
  • RP - payroll deductions
  • RC - corporate income tax
  • RM - import-export

Under what circumstances may a new registration number be issued?

  • If a registered charity incorporates or changes its corporate status.
  • If a registered charity consolidates, merges, or amalgamates with another charity.

Related topics

References

Date modified:
2011-06-01