Gift of Shares

CHARITABLE DONATIONS OF SECURITIES

To encourage charitable giving, the government provides you with a tax credit when you make a personal donation to a registered charity. You may claim a tax credit on your personal tax return. The donation tax credit reduces your federal and provincial incomes taxes in the year you make the claim.

Donating to a registered charity may provide valuable tax benefits. In addition to receiving a charitable donation tax credit, donating publicly traded securities may eliminate the capital gains tax that would otherwise apply, while still allowing you to claim a tax receipt for the fair market value of the gift.

For example by donating to your favourite charity, you may receive as much as a $550 non-refundable tax credit on a total of $1,000 donated in a single year, in some provinces.

See what your tax credit could be:
Calculate Your Charitable Tax Credit

Because every situation is different, consult a qualified financial advisor or tax advisor to determine whether donating securities is right for you.

Source: RBC Wealth Management, the Navigator (10/2025)