If your charity still files documents with the CRA by fax, this is an important post for you.
The Canada Revenue Agency announced on March 18, 2026 that as of April 1, 2026, registered charities will no longer have the option to submit documents to the Charities Directorate by fax. Faxed documents will not be received after that date. That is less than two weeks from now.
I’m going to walk you through what this means, what you need to do, and how to make the switch as painlessly as possible.
What Is Changing?
This is not a distant change. April 1 is the hard deadline. If your charity still relies on fax to file its T3010, submit supporting documents, or send written enquiries to the CRA, you need to act now.
The CRA has been moving toward digital-by-default services for several years. Since 2019, charities have had the option of filing online. Many already have. But as of April 1, the fax option disappears entirely.
The CRA has been direct about why. The Charities Directorate receives hundreds of thousands of pages by fax each year. Every page must be manually entered before it can be processed. That process is slow, resource-intensive, and creates security risks.
You can still send documents by mail (see the CRA contact page for mailing addresses). But mail is slower and comes with its own risks. Online is the better choice.
What You Need to Do
The transition is straightforward, though it may take a bit of effort if your charity has never used the CRA’s online portal.
Step 1: Set Up a CRA Online Account. If your charity does not already have a CRA My Business Account (MyBA), register now. The CRA has recently revamped its registration process for charities. You will find step-by-step instructions there.
One important detail: the CRA requires a Social Insurance Number to verify the identity of the person setting up the account. That SIN remains confidential and will not be visible to other directors or users on the account.
Step 2: File Your T3010 Online. Once your account is active, you can complete and file your T3010 information return directly through the portal. You can also submit supporting documents, make account changes, and send written enquiries. Everything that you used to do by fax can now be done online.
The advantages are real. You get instant confirmation of receipt. You receive a case number to track your submission. There are no fax delays, no busy signals, and no wondering whether your documents arrived.
Step 3: Update Your Internal Processes. This is the step that many charities overlook. If your board treasurer has been faxing the T3010 for the last fifteen years, someone needs to sit down with them and walk through the new process. The CRA is offering free webinars on accessing and using their digital services. The next sessions are scheduled for April 2, 2026, with both English and French options.
If your charity needs help with the transition, the Charities Directorate client service team is available by phone at 1-800-267-2384, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
Why This Matters for Peterborough and Kawarthas Charities
I work with a number of charities and nonprofits in the Peterborough and Kawarthas region and across Ontario. Many are small organisations run by dedicated volunteers who have been doing things the same way for years. Change can feel daunting.
But this is a manageable transition, and it comes with real benefits. Online filing is faster, more secure, and gives you a paper trail that fax never could. If your charity has been putting off the switch, there is no better time than now.
How We Can Help
At Bussey Ainsworth, we assist charities and nonprofits across Peterborough, the Kawarthas and Ontario with governance, compliance, and regulatory matters. If your organisation needs help understanding its obligations under the Income Tax Act, or navigating the CRA’s online systems, we are here to help.
You may also find these resources on our website useful:
- Our guide to ONCA compliance for Ontario nonprofits
- Our Charity and Non-Profit Law practice overview
- Our blog post on whether your Ontario nonprofit is ONCA-compliant
Questions? Give us a call at (705) 749-0628 or book a consultation. I am always happy to sit down and talk through your charity’s situation.
Barry W. Bussey, PhD, is the principal lawyer at Bussey Ainsworth, Barristers & Solicitors, in Peterborough, Ontario. He has extensive experience in charity and nonprofit law, including ONCA compliance, governance, and CRA regulatory matters.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation is unique. Please consult with a lawyer before making decisions about your organisation’s governance or compliance.
