Words and Phrases - "receipt"

The taxpayer was disallowed her claims for several charitable donations for the 2007 and 2008 taxation years for which she may have actually given approximately 10% of the purported cash donation amounts. The registration of two of the charities had since been revoked for issuing inflated receipts.

Smith J found that the receipts invalid, stating (at paras 31, 32 and 45):

… [A] receipt is a written document delivered in exchange for the receipt of money, goods or services, reflecting the actual amount of money or the fair market value of the property or services received.

It follows that a document, though it bears the title “receipt” or “charitable receipt” …, may not be treated or accepted as such if it does not accurately reflect the money paid or the fair market value of the property or services actually provided in exchange.

… [A]lthough the donation receipts in question are described as “official receipts” …, they are not in fact receipts as that term is ordinarily understood.

Smith J went on to find that the “receipts” in any event did not satisfy the requirements of Reg. 3501.