Hi @Paranor_Mel ! Welcome to the Square Community! We are glad you're here. Below I have listed some options when it comes to using Square and what you can do to get up and running. I put it into a bulleted list for easier reading. Let me know if you have any questions.
Register as a Non-Profit Organization
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Federal Level:
- Register with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Apply for non-profit status
- No need for charitable status if just accepting basic donations
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Provincial Level:
- Register as a non-profit society
- Requirements vary by province
- Generally simpler than federal registration
Operate as an Unincorporated Association
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Basic Requirements:
- Personal SIN for tax purposes
- Group banking account
- Basic organizational documents
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Documentation for Square:
- Government-issued ID
- Personal SIN
- Void cheque or bank letter
- Group's mission statement
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Required Documents:
- Personal ID
- Banking information
- Group documentation (if any)
- Explanation letter of group's purpose
Canadian Tax Considerations
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Income Reporting:
- Track donations
- Consult with CRA about reporting requirements
- Consider T2 Short if incorporated
- Keep detailed financial records
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GST/HST:
- Generally not required for small donations
- Monitor annual revenue thresholds
- Keep records of all transactions
Provincial Considerations
Different provinces have different requirements:
- Ontario: Optional registration as non-profit
- BC: Societies Act registration options
- Quebec: Additional registration requirements
- Other provinces: Various local regulations
I hope this helps!
