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You can only claim a tax deduction for gifts or donations to organizations that have the status of deductible gift recipients (DGRs).
The person that makes the gift (the donor) is the person that can claim a deduction.
What is a DGR?
A deductible gift recipient (DGR) is an organisation or fund that registers to receive tax deductible gifts.
Not all charities are DGRs. For example, in recent times crowdfunding campaigns have become a popular way to raise money for charitable causes. However, many of these crowdfunding websites are not run by DGRs. Donations to these campaigns and platforms are not deductible.
A deductible gift recipient (DGR) is an organization or fund that registers to receive tax-deductible gifts. https://expert-tax.com.au/ https://www.flyonit.com.au/
Not all charities are DGRs. For example, in recent times crowdfunding campaigns have become a popular way to raise money for charitable causes. However, many of these crowdfunding websites are not run by DGRs. Donations to these campaigns and platforms are not deductible.
When a gift or donation is deductible
To claim a tax deduction for a gift or donation you make, it must meet the following four conditions. The gift or donation:
- must be made to a DGR
- must truly be a gift or donation – that is, you are voluntarily transferring money or property without receiving, or expecting to receive, any material benefit or advantage in return. A material benefit is an item that has a monetary value
- must be of money or property – this can include financial assets such as shares
- must comply with any relevant gift conditions – for some DGRs, the income tax law adds extra conditions affecting types of deductible gifts they can receive.
To claim a deduction, you must have a record of your donation such as a receipt.
If you receive a token item for your donation you can still claim a deduction. Token items are things of no material value that are used to promote the DGR, such as lapel pins, wristbands and stickers.
You can claim the deduction for your gift for the income year in which the gift was given.
Bucket donations
If you made donations of $2 or more to bucket collections – for example, to collections conducted by an approved organisation for natural disaster victims – you can claim a tax deduction for gifts up to $10 without a receipt. To claim contributions of more than $10, you need a receipt.
What you can’t claim
You can’t claim gifts or donations that provide you with a personal benefit, such as:
- raffle or art union tickets – for example, an RSL Art Union prize home
- items such as chocolates, mugs, keyrings, hats or toys that have an advertised price
- the cost of attending fundraising dinners, even if the cost exceeds the value of the dinner. You may be eligible to claim a deduction as a contribution if the cost of the event was more than the minor benefit supplied as part of the event.
- club membership fees
- payments to school building funds made in return for a benefit or advantage – for example, as an alternative to an increase in school fees or placement on a waiting list
- payments where you have an understanding with the recipient that the payments will be used to provide a benefit to you
- gifts to family and friends, regardless of the reason
You can’t claim a tax deduction for donations made to social media or crowdfunding platforms unless they are a registered DGR.
Example – material benefits where a deduction can’t be claimed
John is an office worker. Each year his workplace gets involved in the Daffodil day appeal to raise money and awareness for the Cancer Council. John buys a teddy bear toy on Daffodil Day at a cost of $30.
John can’t claim a deduction for the cost of the toy as he has received a material benefit in return for his contribution to the Cancer Council.
Contact Expert Tax on 0449 952 855 or 1300 869 829 for assistance with lodgement of your tax return.
