Securities

Sharing your love of Canadian history is now less taxing!

Did you know that you can donate stocks, bonds or mutual funds to Historica Canada? There are three main benefits for gifting your securities*:

• First, by giving stocks, bonds or mutual funds to Historica Canada, you will help bring history to life for Canadians of all ages, through programs like the Heritage Minutes, and The Memory Project;
• Second, you’ll receive a tax receipt for the proceeds from the sale of the securities;
• Third, by donating the securities directly, any amounts over and above your adjusted cost base of those securities are exempt from the capital gains tax that would apply if you were to sell the stocks, bonds, or mutual funds and then donate the proceeds.

For more information please contact us at donation@historicacanada.ca
*Please ensure that you discuss the specifics of any tax implications with your financial or tax advisor.

FAQs

I) What are the benefits of donating a gift of securities to Historica Canada?

There are two benefits to donating securities directly to Historica Canada. First, you will receive a tax receipt for the amount Historica Canada sells the securities for, which can be included as a charitable donation in your tax return. Second, by donating securities directly, any amounts over and above your adjusted cost base of those securities are exempt from the capital gains tax that typically applies on the sale of the security. Please ensure that you discuss the specifics of any tax implications with your financial or tax advisor.

The chart below shows the tax advantage to donating shares directly to Historica Canada, versus selling the shares and then donating the cash proceeds. Assume the shares would sell for $10,000, and your cost is $1,000. Assume also that you are in the highest (Ontario) tax bracket for 2016. 

II) What is the process for donating shares?

• Complete the Notification of Securities Transfer form and send it to Historica Canada by e-mail (donation@historicacanada.ca) – Attention: Shailen Majithia
• Instruct your broker to transfer your securities to Historica Canada’s brokerage account. Please do not transfer securities without first forwarding this form to Historica Canada. Historica Canada’s broker information is as follows:
  • TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.
  • Account #: 049FH9A
  • CUID: GIST
  • Historica Canada’s Business / Charity #: 885434720RR0001
• A charitable receipt will be issued for the price at which Historica Canada’s broker is able to sell the securities. Historica Canada’s policy is to sell securities on the same day they are received in our account.
• In order to be eligible for a charitable receipt in the year of donation, the securities must be in Historica Canada’s brokerage account by 5:00 p.m. EST on December 31st of that year. Please note that in some cases, transfers of securities can take up to 10 business days or longer.

III) What types of securities can I donate?

• Shares listed on most Canadian and certain foreign stock exchanges
• Shares of the capital stock of a Canadian public mutual fund corporations
• Units of widely held Canadian mutual fund trusts

IV) Is there a minimum value of a gift of securities that will be accepted by Historica?

Historica Canada will accept a minimum gift of $1000 per type of security sold.

V) When will Historica Canada sell my security? What will be the value of my tax receipt?

Historica Canada sells the securities on the same day as received. You will receive a charitable tax receipt for the amount the securities are sold at.

VI) When will I receive my tax receipt?

Your tax receipt will be issued within one month of the date the securities are received in Historica Canada’s account.

VII) Can I donate the proceeds from a sale of shares to Historica Canada?

Yes, but this type of donation will be handled as a cash donation and will not benefit from the capital gains tax exemption applied to a gift of securities.