How much tax credit can I get for donating to a registered charity in Ontario?

Donations to registered Canadian charities generate both a federal and an Ontario provincial non-refundable tax credit. The federal credit is calculated in two tiers: a lower rate applies to the first $200 of donations and a higher rate applies to the amount above $200. Ontario follows a similar two-tier structure with its own provincial rates layered on top.

Combined, the federal plus Ontario provincial credit on amounts above $200 is substantial — often exceeding 40% for donors in higher provincial tax brackets. This makes charitable giving one of the most tax-efficient ways to direct money in Ontario. Donations of publicly traded securities directly to a charity avoid capital gains tax on the accrued gain and also generate the donation credit — a double tax advantage.

You can pool donations from the current year and the prior five years onto one return, and married couples can combine their donations — always have the higher-income spouse claim all donations to maximize the credit (since the high-rate tier kicks in at just $200). Official receipts are required; keep them for CRA.