When you give to a registered charity on Giving Tuesday, you help families in need. You may also get part of that gift back at tax time through the charitable donation tax credit in Canada.
This guide explains how the credit works in general terms. It covers official receipts, the December 31 deadline, how the federal credit is calculated, carrying donations forward, and claiming with a spouse. We link to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) throughout so you can check the details for your own situation.
Please note: this is general information, not tax advice. Tax rules can change, and every situation is different. For advice about your own taxes, speak with a tax professional or check the CRA website.
What Is the Charitable Donation Tax Credit?
The charitable donation tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit. It lowers the income tax you owe when you give to a registered charity or another qualified donee. There is a federal credit, and each province and territory has its own credit as well.
Because the credit is non-refundable, it reduces the tax you owe. It does not pay you money beyond that amount.
Gifts to Muslim Food Bank & Community Services (MFBCS) qualify. We are a registered Canadian charity, number 800720864RR0001, and eligible donations receive an official tax receipt.
How the Federal Credit Is Calculated
The federal credit works in two tiers:
- The first $200 of your donations in a year is credited at the lowest federal tax rate. The Department of Finance Canada says that rate is 14% for 2026. It was 14.5% for 2025.
- Donations above $200 are credited at a higher rate. For the 2025 tax year, the CRA lists 29%, and 33% in some cases for donors with income in the top federal tax bracket.
Your province or territory adds its own credit, with its own rates. So the total value of your credit depends on where you live and on your income. The CRA’s How much you can claim page lists the current federal and provincial rates.
In general, you can claim donations up to 75% of your net income for the year.
You Need an Official Donation Receipt
To claim the credit, you need an official donation receipt from a registered charity or other qualified donee. The CRA is clear that without a valid receipt, you cannot claim a charitable tax credit.
If a charity promises you a receipt, the CRA says you can expect it by February 28 of the year after your donation. Keep your receipts in a safe place in case the CRA asks to see them.
Before you give, you can confirm a charity is registered using the CRA’s charity search. The CRA explains how on its What to know before you give page.
The December 31 Deadline
To claim a donation on a tax return, the gift must be made between January 1 and December 31 of that year. A gift on Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2026, counts toward your 2026 tax year.
The CRA treats the donation date as the date the gift is made. If you plan to give at the end of the year, try not to leave it to the last day. Giving on Giving Tuesday gives you plenty of time.
Give This Giving Tuesday and Get a Tax Receipt
Your gift helps families across Canada receive halal food with dignity. Eligible gifts are tax-receipted and Zakat-eligible.
Carrying Donations Forward
You do not have to claim all your donations in the year you make them. The CRA lets you carry unclaimed amounts forward and claim them on your return in any of the next 5 years.
There are two simple rules. Amounts you carried forward must be claimed before the current year’s gifts. And each donation can only be claimed once, so keep a record of what you have already used.
Carrying forward can help if you owe little tax this year, or if you prefer to group a few years of smaller gifts together.
Claiming Donations With a Spouse or Common-Law Partner
According to the CRA’s Who can claim page, you can include donations made by your spouse or common-law partner on your own return.
Many couples put all their donations on one return. Because only the first $200 of a claim is credited at the lowest rate, combining gifts on one return can lead to a slightly larger total credit.
Ways to Give This Giving Tuesday
Whatever your plans for year-end giving, here are a few ways to support families this season.
Make a One-Time Gift
Our goal this Giving Tuesday is $100,000 CAD. Each gift helps us provide halal food hampers to families at locations across Canada. Give to our Giving Tuesday campaign.
Give Your Zakat
If you are paying Zakat this year, you can give it through our Zakat form. Under our 100% Zakat policy, your Zakat goes to eligible recipients. Learn more on our Zakat page.
Give Regularly
Some donors prefer to give a little at a time all year. Our Friday Givings program is one way to do that. See all of our donation options.
Volunteer Your Time
Not every gift is money. More than 950 volunteers help us sort food, pack hampers and welcome families. Find out how to volunteer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Donation Tax Receipts
Are Giving Tuesday donations tax deductible in Canada?
What is the deadline to donate for the 2026 tax year?
How much is the charitable donation tax credit in Canada?
Can I claim my spouse’s donations?
What if I don’t claim my donation this year?
Is Muslim Food Bank & Community Services a registered charity?
Conclusion
The charitable donation tax credit is one way Canada encourages giving. Keep your official receipts, give by December 31, and remember that you can carry donations forward or combine them with your spouse. For the full rules, see the CRA’s guide P113, Gifts and Income Tax. This article is general information, not tax advice.
The best reason to give is still the families your gift will help. This Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2026, visit our Giving Tuesday campaign page and help feed families across Canada with dignity.