Making tax deductible gifts and contributions

Introduction

You can only make tax deductible gifts or donations to certain organisations. These organisations are called deductible gift recipients (DGRs).

Deductions for gifts or donations can be claimed by the person or organisation that makes the gift (the donor). Donors can be an individual, company, trust or other type of taxpayer.

To be tax deductible your gift must:

• be donated to a DGR
• really be a gift
• be a gift of money or a certain type of property
• comply with any relevant gift conditions.

You can donate gifts to DGRs through your employer - for example, through workplace giving programs or salary sacrifice arrangements.

Before you can claim a deduction for a gift, you need to know:

• how much you can claim
• when you can claim
• what records you must keep
• what other income tax matters apply.

Concessions may also be available for:

• contributions you make to DGRs for fundraising events, such as fundraising dinners and charity auctions
• political contributions and gifts
• land owners entering into conservation covenants.