Non-Profit News Service No. 0199 - Donations to assist cyclone victims in Burma
On 2-3 May 2008, cyclone Nargis struck Burma's coastline. Burmese authorities have declared five states and divisions to be disaster areas. Various appeals have been launched to assist victims of the cyclone.
Donations to an appeal will be tax deductible, provided the organisation operating the appeal is endorsed as a deductible gift recipient (DGR) and is an overseas aid fund. You can check whether an organisation is a DGR on the Australian Business Register at www.abn.business.gov.au
The best way to assist victims of cyclone Nargis is to make a cash donation to a reputable non-government aid agency that is supporting relief operations. Non-government organisations conducting appeals are listed on the Australian Council for International Development's website. AusAID (an agency in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) also has information regarding the disaster at www.ausaid.gov.au
Organisations seeking to establish tax deductible funds for donations to be used outside Australia are advised it may be more expedient for them to arrange with one of the larger and already approved funds to collect money on the fund’s behalf. Organisations collecting monies on behalf of another organisation are reminded that they must comply with state and territory government Collections Acts.
For more information on making tax deductible donations, collecting on behalf of a DGR and related issues - see Assisting victims of disasters.
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