SIN Number on receipts?

[mustbenuts]

This issue has been brought up on so many forums and threads, CRA should really have it written out somewhere so it is clear. and so many providers have had different experiences based on who they have talked to. Personally, no, I do not provide it and I put on my receipts that it will be provided directly to the CRA upon request. I do not provide it because I do not feel comfortable having my SIN "out there" any more than necessary. If I had a parent being audited I would tell them to have their auditor call me directly. I can then provide them with whatever I need. I also have my name address and phone # on my receipts.

[Inspired by Reggio]

...CRA should really have it written out somewhere so it is clear. ....

They do ~ it is right on their website what they expect / required for a home childcare receipt to contain

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tp...rcpts-eng.html

Issuing receipts

As someone who runs a home daycare, you will be expected to issue receipts to the parents of the children in your care. You should do this as soon as possible to give them time to file their income tax returns.

Here is a sample receipt form to help you. You can use any format you want, but this sample shows the information we need.

Example
Received from ____________________ ____________________ ______
for caring for ____________________ _______________ (name of child)
the sum of $ ____________________ ____________________ _______
for the period from ____________________ to ____________________
Services provided by ____________________ _________ (please print)
Address ____________________ ____________________ ___________
Daycare provider's Social insurance number ____________________ __________

... even with the requirement clearly there in writing many of us choose NOT to do because we do not AGREE with having to do it

For me I opted to do the BIN number instead because than I am at least 'attempting' to comply ... a BIN just means more 'work' for them in tracking back the income to my Ontario Business License but it is still 'doable' so I am not being totally defiant or trying to hide income in anyway just being proactive at protecting my identity from being stolen!

Basically the only time CRA even looks at any receipts provided in a return is in a random 'audit' scenario or if you've been red flagged for some reason .... so someone could be in business for 20 years and never have a client be audited or get audited themselves and thereby get away with never having had to do this and someone else can be in business 1 year and have two clients get audited or get audited themselves ... luck of the draw.

Other challenge at not providing any 'tracking' is if clients use an accounting firm as the accounting firm might demand the SIN be on it because well it is more work for THEM as well if their client gets audited and they are having to track down a provider up to 7 years from now to confirm childcare costs are legitimate ... but again I have had clients whose accounting firms were fine with the BIN option as long as there was some 'registered way' for the receipt to be authenticated?

[mustbenuts]

They do ~ it is right on their website what they expect / required for a home childcare receipt to contain

sorry, what I meant was, there are so many different answers if you call CRA to ask. I know that is on their website and that's why some parents feel we should provide it. However, I have called the CRA to clarify and gotten different info than what is on their site, as well as different info from accountants so it just all seems muddy. From what I understand SIN is not required to file taxes but may be required in an audit, in which case it can be provided directly to the CRA. Having a BIN is a great idea though, it just simplifies it and it's professional.