The decision to register a charity is an important one. Registration as a charity gives an organization special tax privileges. A registered charity does not have to pay income tax and can issue tax receipts to donors.

Before you apply, you should go to Factors that will prevent an organization from being registered as a charity.

If your organization is successful in registration, keep in mind there are certain responsibilities that come with being registered. For more information about these responsibilities, go to Advantages and obligations of registration.

To help you make a decision about registration, answer the six questions in the quiz below.

If you decide registration isn't right for you, there are other ways you can help:

• you could volunteer with or raise funds for a registered charity doing the same work you want to do
• you could donate to a registered charity that has charitable activities you want to support
• you could become a board member of an existing registered charity that is carrying out charitable work you are interested in