Cornwall Ontario — Today, MP Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, encouraged Canadians to support their local communities and take advantage of the Harper Government’s tax relief measures, including the Volunteer Firefighters’ Tax Credit, and the newly introduced First-time Donor’s Super Credit.

“Our Government is committed to supporting our communities and providing Canadians with tax relief measures that will allow them to keep more of their hard earned money,” said MP Lauzon. “These tax credits have been put in place to foster generosity and recognize those who give to their community.”

Volunteer firefighters play an essential role in their communities, ensuring the health and safety of their fellow citizens. In 2011, the Harper Government introduced the Volunteer Firefighters’ Tax Credit to recognize their dedication and service to Canadian communities.

The Volunteer Firefighters’ Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit available to certain volunteer firefighters who serve at least 200 hours per year at one or more fire departments beginning on January 1, 2011. Services that make up those 200 hours include responding to and being on call for firefighting and other emergencies, attending meetings at the fire department, and taking courses in preventing and putting out fires. When eligible firefighters claim the credit, they can reduce the amount of income tax they have to pay by as much as $450.

“Our Government is always trying to make life a little easier for Canadians who work hard and play by the rules. For those who go above and beyond the call of duty, such as our volunteer firefighters, we want to recognize their extraordinary service,” said MP Lauzon. “I am proud that our Government is providing tax relief to so many volunteer firefighters right here in SDSG and across the country.”

In response to the Tax Incentives for Charitable Giving in Canada, a report of the Standing Committee on Finance, the First-time Donor’s Super Credit was introduced to encourage new donors to give to charity. This new credit will make donating to a charity more attractive for Canadians who are making donations for the first time ever or for the first time since 2007.

Monetary donations made by first-time donors after March 20, 2013 now qualify for the first-time donor’s super credit. Individuals qualify as first-time donors if neither they nor their spouse or common-law partner has claimed the charitable donation tax credit since 2007. The First-time Donor’s Super Credit provides an extra 25% credit in addition to the charitable donation tax credit. This means that donors can get a 40% federal credit for donations of money of $200 or less, and a 54% federal credit for the portion of donations over $200, up to $1,000. This is in addition to the provincial credit.

“Our goal is to encourage Canadians to support the charitable and volunteer sectors. With the new First-time Donor’s Super Credit, in Ontario, a $1,000 donation to a registered charity would cost a first-time donor only $388.62 – that’s a significant incentive to support charitable giving,” added Lauzon.
The Volunteer Firefighters’ Tax Credit and the First-time Donor’s Super Credit are part of the Harper Government’s strong record of providing tax relief to Canadians. Thanks to these efforts the average family of four now receives more than $3,200 annually in extra tax savings. The federal tax burden for all Canadians is now the lowest it’s been in half a century.
More information about the First-time Donor’s Super Credit is available on the CRA Web site or the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan Web site.

For more information about the Volunteer Firefighters’ Tax Credit, go to www.cra.gc.ca/firefighter.

Donate wisely by researching registered Canadian charities using the CRA’s Charities Listings before you donate. For more information about donating to charities, go to www.cra.gc.ca/donors.