D9 - Gifts or donations 2011

About question D9

This question is about gifts or donations you made. You can claim a deduction for:

• voluntary gifts of $2 or more made to an approved organisation
• a net contribution of more than $150 to an approved organisation for a fund-raising event (see Special circumstances and glossary for further conditions)
• contributions of $2 or more to
• • a registered political party
  • an independent candidate in an election for parliament
  • an individual who was an independent member of parliament or in limited circumstances was an independent member.
   

Approved organisations include:

• certain funds, organisations or charities which provide help in Australia
• some overseas aid funds
• school building funds
• some environmental or cultural organisations.

You can also claim a deduction for:

• a donation to an approved organisation of shares listed on an approved stock exchange valued at $5,000 or less
• making an approved cultural bequest
• a donation to a private ancillary fund
• entering into a conservation covenant.

Your receipt will usually indicate whether or not you can claim a deduction for the gift. If you are not sure, you can check with the organisation. If you are still not sure, go to www.abn.business.gov.au or phone us to find out if the organisation is an approved organisation.

You cannot claim a deduction for a gift or donation if you received something in return (for example, raffle tickets or dinner) except in certain fund-raising events; see Special circumstances and glossary.

Did you make a gift or donation?
No	go to question D10 - Cost of managing tax affairs, or   return to main menu Tax return for individuals instructions.
Yes	Read below.

Natural disaster donations

If you made one or more donations of $2 or more to bucket collections conducted by an approved organisation for natural disaster victims, you can claim a tax deduction of up to $10 for the total of those contributions without a receipt. For more information see What's new this year?

Answering this question

If you made donations during the year to an approved organisation through your employer's payroll system (known as 'workplace-giving'), you still need to record the total amount of your donations at this item. Your payment summary or other written statement from your employer showing the donated amount is sufficient evidence to support your claim. You do not need to have a receipt.

If you made donations in a joint name, include only your share.

See Special circumstances and glossary for more information about the rules for deductions for:

• gifts of property, such as land and artworks
• contributions to fund-raising events
• gifts of shares valued at $5,000 or less
• contributions and gifts to registered political parties and independent candidates and members.

For more information about the rules and what records to keep see Making tax deductible donations:

• for cultural, environmental and heritage property gifts
• for cultural bequests
• when entering into conservation covenants
• if you choose to spread over five years your deduction for certain types of gifts.

Completing your tax return

Step 1

Add up the amounts of all gifts and donations you are entitled to claim.

Step 2

Write the total at J item D9.

More information

For more information, see:

• Taxation Ruling TR 2005/13 - Income tax: tax deductible gifts - what is a gift
• Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2002/15 - Evidence for making of a gift by a taxpayer who participates in a workplace-giving program.

Where to go next continue to question D10 - Cost of managing tax affairs   return to main menu Tax return for individuals instructions   go back to question D8 - Dividend deductions.