Overview
For Canadian organizations using Shulcloud, there are two separate tax-related configurations:
CRA Mode – Controls official charitable donation receipting compliance.
GST/HST Settings – Controls how consumption tax is handled on taxable charges.
These settings operate independently and must be configured separately.
Part 1: Enabling CRA Mode (Official Charitable Receipts)
CRA Mode ensures compliance with Canada Revenue Agency requirements for donation receipting.
Step 1: Enable CRA Mode
Navigate to: Admin → Settings → Edit Settings
Scroll to the Tax Mode section.
Select: CAN – CRA Mode
Enter:
Starting receipt number
CRA Charity Full Legal Name
CRA Authorized Officer Name
Select Update Settings at the bottom of the page.
Step 2: Configure Eligible Charge Types
Navigate to Admin → My Lists → Charge Types
Edit each charge type that should be eligible for receipting.
Mark the charge type as Eligible.
This determines what appears on official CRA receipts.
Step 3: Generate CRA Receipts
To generate a receipt:
Open the member’s account.
Select Create Statement.
Select CRA Tax Receipt.
Confirm the tax year.
Select Generate PDF.
Receipts are numbered automatically according to your configured receipt range.
Important Notes About CRA Mode
CRA Mode governs receipting compliance only.
It does not calculate GST/HST.
It tracks eligible vs. advantage (non-deductible) amounts.
It controls official receipt formatting and numbering.
Part 2: Configuring GST/HST (Consumption Tax)
GST/HST in Shulcloud is handled as a flat tax rate applied to specific charge types.
Shulcloud does not dynamically calculate multi-province tax rates.
Step 1: Enter Your GST/HST Rate
Navigate to: Admin → Settings → Edit Settings
Scroll to Other Financial Options.
Enter your GST/HST rate (e.g., 5%, 13%, 15%).
This becomes the default rate used for taxable charge types.
Step 2: Mark Taxable Charge Types
Navigate to Admin → My Lists → Charge Types
Edit each taxable charge type.
Check the box: “This charge type contains VAT/GST (outside of USA only)”
This tells the system:
The charge includes GST/HST
The tax portion should be separated internally
Statements reflect proper tax allocation
How GST/HST Calculation Works
Shulcloud treats taxable charge types as tax-inclusive amounts.
Example (Ontario – 13% HST)
If you charge: $113.00
With HST set to 13%, ShulCloud calculates:
Base amount: $100.00
HST portion: $13.00
The system does not automatically add tax on top of a base amount. The total entered should already include GST/HST.
Understanding the Difference: CRA vs GST/HST
| Setting | Purpose |
|---|---|
| CRA Mode | Official charitable donation receipting |
| Charge Type: Eligible | Determines receiptable amounts |
| GST/HST Rate Field | Sets flat consumption tax rate |
| Charge Type: Contains VAT/GST | Applies GST/HST logic to that charge |
These settings are independent of each other.
Common Canadian Configuration Examples
Donations
CRA Mode enabled
Charge type marked Eligible
NOT marked as VAT/GST
Generally not subject to GST
Event Tickets (Fundraising)
May be partially eligible (advantage rules)
May or may not include GST depending on structure
Configure charge type carefully
Merchandise, Catering, Space Rentals
Mark charge type as Contains VAT/GST
Typically not eligible for CRA receipting
GST/HST applies
Limitations to Be Aware Of
No automatic multi-province tax rate handling
No dynamic jurisdictional tax calculation
No automatic split for partially taxable charges
Tax must be structured as inclusive in the total amount
If your organization requires:
Different tax rates per province
Tax added on top instead of inclusive pricing
Complex advantage calculations
Additional configuration strategy or external tax tools may be required.