Joint Receipts for Spouses

For clarity in record keeping, gifts are always assigned to one person. However, for tax purposes, spouses may request a joint receipt. This guide will walkthrough how to issue a joint receipt.

Please note that the CRA has issued guidance regarding issuing receipts in a name other than the donor’s. Please review this guidance before continuing.

The following steps should be done before issuing receipts. If already issued, you will need to cancel and reissue the receipt.

Adding a Spouse’s Name to Receipts #

Use the Receipted Jointly With field to have both names appear on a receipt:

1. Navigate to the primary donor’s contact.
2. Scroll down to find the Receipted Jointly With dropdown field.
3. Select the spouse’s name from the dropdown.

How Joint Receipting Works #

• Setting this field adds the spouse’s name to the statement and receipt.
• It does not combine donations from both people.
• Whomever the gift was recorded under, their name will appear first on the receipt, followed by the spouse’s name.
• If giving was recorded under both spouses, two statements/receipts will still be generated.

Receiving a Single Combined Receipt #

To receive a single combined receipt going forward, all giving must be recorded under one spouse’s name. Then use the “Receipted Jointly With” field to add the other spouse’s name to the receipt.

Splitting Receipts Between Spouses #

If a couple’s accountant requires 50% of the receipt in each name, you would need to:

1. Cancel the joint receipt.
2. Create separate batches with the donations split between each spouse.
3. Issue separate receipts for each spouse.