- April payroll liabilities due May 15.

- The June 30th deadline for the annual Registered Charity Information Return T3010-1 is fast approaching for those with a fiscal year end of December 31. If you have not yet started the process, be sure to set aside enough time to complete it properly.

For first-time donors, last week's budget proposes to introduce a temporary supplement to the existing non-refundable tax credit for charitable donations by individuals. The new credit can be claimed once from the 2013 to 2017 taxation years.

Yesterday the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) posted a Question and Answer type document which will assist you with answering questions you may receive from your congregation and other donors. The document can be viewed at:

- March payroll liabilities due April 15.

- Set aside financial reports and other items you will need when completing your annual Registered Charity Information Return on Form T3010-1.

- Make an appointment with yourself and clear enough time on your calendar to complete Form T3010-1 within six months from the end of your fiscal year. For example, if your fiscal year end is on December 31, your return is due on June 30.

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced the automobile expense deduction limits and the operating expense benefit rates for 2013.

The limit on the deduction of tax-exempt allowances paid by employers to employees using their personal vehicle for business purposes will increase by 1 cent to 54 cents per kilometre for the first 5,000 kilometres driven and to 48 cents for each additional kilometre.

The rates for Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are traditionally set 4 cents higher and they will also increase by 1 cent to 58 cents for the first 5,000 kilometres driven and to 52 cents for each additional kilometre.

The rate used to determine the taxable benefit for the personal portion of automobile operating expenses paid by employers will increase by 1 cent to 27 cents per kilometre. The automobile standby charge for employer-provided vehicles, which is not affected by this announcement, is calculated separately and is also included in the employee's income.

While the above will be sufficient for most churches, additional details for specific situations including capital cost allowance, leasing costs, interest costs, etc. may be viewed on the Department of Finance Canada website.

This fall we are conducting a seminar tour which includes several locations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Full details can be viewed by clicking on the Resources and Seminars link in the left-hand menu or by clicking here.

Check back in February for information about our spring tour of Ontario.