GiftPack (current to 30 June 2006)

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Gifts, Charities and Non-profit Organisations

About this guide

This guide has been prepared for:

  • organisations that want to receive tax deductible gifts, and
  • donors that want to claim tax deductions for their gifts.

Only certain organisations can receive tax deductible gifts. They are called deductible gift recipients (DGRs). DGRs are:

  • endorsed by the Tax Office, or
  • listed by name in the tax law.

We explain the types of DGRs and tax deductible gifts they can receive. Most, but not all, gifts to DGRs are tax deductible.

We explain who can claim deductions for gifts, how much can be claimed and what records are required.

This guide also outlines concessions for:

  • contributions to DGRs in relation to fundraising events such as fundraising dinners and charity auctions
  • contributions to registered political parties, and
  • land owners entering into conservation covenants.

We have highlighted recent changes in the income tax law relating to DGRs and deductible gifts as well as proposed changes that are not yet law.

Ordering a paper copy

To order a paper copy of this publication:

  • phone us on 1300 720 092 and quote NAT number 3132 (this is a unique national identifying number we give each of our publications), or
  • write to us at GPO Box 9935 in your capital city.

How to use this guide

Where do you start?

To receive tax deductible gifts an organisation must be a deductible gift recipient (DGR). For an overview of DGRs, claiming tax deductions for gifts and recent changes to the tax law, see 'Getting started'.

Can your organisation receive tax deductible gifts?

  1. Check whether your organisation falls within a general DGR category and can be endorsed by the Tax Office (the majority of DGRs are endorsed by the Tax Office). See 'Endorsed DGRs'.
  2. Check the other conditions for DGRs. The other conditions are In Australia, Endorsement, Receipts and Self-review. Your organisation may have to meet some or all of these conditions to be a DGR. See 'DGRs - other conditions'.
  3. If your organisation does not fall within a general DGR category, see 'DGRs listed by name'.

Do you want to claim a tax deduction for a gift?

Deductions for gifts are claimed by the person or organisation that makes the gift (the donor). To find out whether a gift is tax deductible, how much can be claimed and what records donors need to keep, see 'Donors and gifts'.

What types of gifts are tax deductible?

Most, but not all, gifts to DGRs are tax deductible. To be tax deductible, a gift must be money or property covered by one of the 'gift types'. See 'Gift types'.

Are there other gift-related concessions to consider?

Concessions may also be available for contributions to DGR fundraising events, contributions to political parties and land owners entering into conservation covenants.

How can you get more information?

The Tax Office has a range of publications and services specifically for non-profit organisations. See 'More information' to find out how to access our publications and services.

Getting started

Only certain types of organisations can receive tax deductible gifts. They are called deductible gift recipients (DGRs).

Deductions for gifts are claimed by the person or organisation that makes the gift (the donor).

This chapter outlines:

  • the types of DGRs and the tax deductible gifts they can receive
  • what donors need to do to claim deductions for their gifts
  • changes to this publication since it last issued in May 2003, and
  • proposed changes affecting DGRs and donors.

Deductible gift recipients (DGRs)

The income tax law determines which organisations can receive income tax deductible gifts. They are called deductible gift recipients (DGRs). DGRs are:

  • endorsed by the Tax Office, or
  • listed by name in the tax law.

You can check if an organisation is a DGR by:

  • visiting the Australian Business Register website at www.abr.business.gov.au or
  • phoning the Tax Office on 13 28 61.

The majority of DGRs are endorsed by the Tax Office. The only DGRs that do not need to be endorsed are those listed by name in the income tax law, including prescribed private funds.

ENDORSED DGRs

To be endorsed as a DGR, an organisation must fall within a general DGR category as specified in the tax law and meet the other conditions that relate to the category.

There are more than 30 general DGR categories. Examples are:

  • public hospitals
  • health promotion charities
  • public universities
  • school building funds
  • public benevolent institutions
  • necessitous circumstances funds
  • overseas aid funds
  • public libraries, museums and art galleries, and
  • ancillary funds.

For an explanation of the general DGR categories, see 'Endorsed DGRs'.

Organisations that meet the requirements for endorsement can apply to the Tax Office using an Application for endorsement as a deductible gift recipient (NAT 2948).

If an organisation falls within a general DGR category and is not endorsed by the Tax Office, donors cannot claim tax deductions for their gifts to the organisation.

OTHER CONDITIONS FOR DGRs

An organisation may have to meet some or all of the following conditions to be a DGR.

  • In Australia - the organisation must be 'in Australia'.
  • Endorsement - the organisation must:
    • have an ABN
    • maintain a gift fund, and
    • apply to the Tax Office for endorsement.
  • Receipts - if a DGR issues a receipt for a gift, it must include certain information on the receipt.
  • Self-review - a DGR must tell the Tax Office if it ceases to be entitled to endorsement.

These conditions are explained in 'DGRs - other conditions'.

DGRs LISTED BY NAME

DGRs listed by name in the tax law include organisations such as Amnesty International Australia, the RSPCA and the Australian Sports Foundation. They also include prescribed private funds.

For an explanation of DGRs listed by name, including prescribed private funds, see 'DGRs listed by name'.

GIFTS TO CHARITIES

Charities can receive tax deductible gifts provided the organisation is a DGR. Some charities are not DGRs and therefore cannot receive tax deductible gifts.

GIFT TYPES

Most, but not all, gifts to DGRs are tax deductible. To be tax deductible a gift must be money or property covered by one of the following gift types:

  • $2 or more: money
  • property > $5,000: property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5,000
  • property < 12 months: property purchased during the 12 months before the gift was made
  • trading stock: trading stock disposed of outside the ordinary course of business
  • cultural gifts: property gifted under the Cultural Gifts Program
  • cultural bequests: property gifted under the Cultural Bequests Program
  • heritage gifts: places included in the National Heritage List, the Commonwealth Heritage List or the Register of the National Estate.

For an explanation of the gift types, see 'Gift types'.

Contributions made to DGRs for fundraising events such as fundraising dinners and charity auctions may also be tax deductible. See 'Contributions to DGRs'.

Claiming tax deductions for gifts

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

To be tax deductible a gift must:

  • be made to a deductible gift recipient (DGR)
  • really be a gift
  • be a gift of money or a certain type of property, and
  • comply with any relevant gift conditions.

The amount of the deduction depends on the type of gift. For gifts of money, it is the amount of the gift. For gifts of property, there are various valuation rules.

A deduction for a gift cannot add to or create a tax loss for the donor. However, donors can elect to spread deductions for certain gifts over a period of up to five years.

Donors need to keep records of their deductible gifts. When property has been gifted, additional details may need to be recorded. This will help donors when they prepare tax returns and in case claims are checked by the Tax Office.

Sponsorship and advertising expenses that are not, in fact, gifts may be tax deductible if they are incurred in deriving assessable income.

The requirements for claiming deductible gifts and other income tax consequences for donors are explained in 'Donors and gifts'.

Concessions may also be available for:

What's new?

This publication applies from 1 July 2005 and replaces GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors (NAT 3132-5.2003) issued in May 2003.

This publication has been updated to include the following changes in the tax law since the publication last issued in May 2003.

NEW GENERAL DGR CATEGORIES

Public ambulance services

Gifts made on or after 1 April 2004 to a public ambulance service or to a public fund established and maintained for the purpose of providing money for the provision of public ambulance services may be tax deductible. See 'Public ambulance service'.

Government special schools

Gifts made on or after 1 April 2004 to government schools that provide special education for students who have a disability that is permanent or is likely to be permanent, and do not provide education for other students may be tax deductible. See 'Government special school'.

This new category does not extend DGR status to those mainstream schools that also provide education to students with disabilities. Non-government special schools operating on a non-profit basis will continue to be able to access DGR status by virtue of being endorsed as a public benevolent institution.

Harm prevention charities

A register of harm prevention charities has been established for charitable institutions whose principal activity is to promote the prevention or control of harmful or abusive behaviour among humans. Institutions on the register will be entitled to apply for endorsement as DGRs. The register was established on 1 July 2003. See 'Public fund on the register of harm prevention charities'.

NEW DGRs LISTED BY NAME

DGRs that have been listed by name since the last edition of this publication include 129 prescribed private funds, 12 state and territory coordinating bodies for fire and emergency services and several other listed by name DGRs.

To find out how to access a list of these DGRs, see 'DGRs listed by name'.

ENTITIES ESTABLISHED IN PERPETUITY

Entities established in perpetuity by the Parliament may be endorsed as DGRs from 1 July 2003, despite not having a winding up clause. These entities are still required to satisfy the other endorsement provisions.

Previously, these entities had difficulty meeting the requirements for DGR endorsement provisions as they do not have winding up provisions. See 'Winding up a gift fund'.

SPREADING TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR CASH DONATIONS

Income tax deductions for cash donations made to DGRs on or after 1 July 2003 may now be spread over a period of up to five years. See 'Spreading tax deductions for gifts'.

HERITAGE PROPERTY GIFTS

A tax deduction for gifts of places included in the National Heritage List or the Commonwealth Heritage List under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 may be claimed for gifts made from 1 January 2004.

The deduction for these gifts operates in the same way as the deduction for gifts of places on the Register of the National Estate.

The 'National Estate' gift type has been renamed 'Heritage gifts'. See 'Heritage gifts'.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO DGR FUNDRAISING EVENTS

From 1 July 2004, individuals may be entitled to claim a tax deduction for contributions they make to DGRs for fundraising events such as fundraising dinners and charity auctions. See 'Contributions to DGRs'.

DGRs that receive deductible contributions should be aware the measure has introduced additional requirements for:

CONSERVATION COVENANTS

The tax concessions have been extended to land owners entering into conservation covenants with government agencies, such as state departments of parks and wildlife. Previously the concessions only applied to covenants entered into with DGRs. The change applies to covenants entered into on or after 1 July 2002. See 'Conservation covenants'.

Proposed changes

The following is a summary of recent press releases in which the Government announced its intention to introduce legislation affecting deductible gift recipients and gifts. At the time of printing these changes had not become law.

TESTAMENTARY GIFTS OF PROPERTY

In a press release dated 11 May 2004, the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer announced a measure to amend the tax law so that testamentary gifts of property of any value made to DGRs will be exempt from capital gains tax.

The exemption currently applies to the following testamentary gifts.

  • Property purchased during the 12 months before the gift was made.
  • Property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5,000.
  • Property gifted under the Cultural Gifts Program.
  • Property gifted under the Cultural Bequests Program.
  • Places included in the National Heritage List, the Commonwealth Heritage List or the Register of the National Estate.

The amendment to give effect to this change has been included in Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 3) Bill 2005. This change will apply from the income year after the income year in which the Bill receives Royal Assent.

NEW GENERAL DGR CATEGORIES

In a press release dated 10 May 2005, the Treasurer announced that the government will establish five new general DGR categories with effect from 1 July 2006.

The new categories extend DGR support to approved organisations and funds in the following circumstances:

  • Funds that are established for the reconstruction and critical repair of eligible war memorials. Approved funds may be endorsed as DGRs for a maximum period of two years.
  • Public funds whose principal purposes are to relieve or prevent distress caused by declared natural or man-made disasters or assist in disaster reconstruction within Australia and in developed countries.
  • Charitable funds and organisations whose principal purposes are the provision of services which provide direct care to maltreated animals.
  • Charitable funds that undertake a combination of activities that fall under several existing DGR categories (such as health promotion, harm prevention and public benevolent institutions).
  • Charitable funds that are established and maintained solely for the purpose of providing scholarships, bursaries or prizes to promote education where entry is open to persons at a national, regional or state level. This category covers scholarships for all levels of education.

Endorsed DGRs

The majority of deductible gift recipients (DGRs) are endorsed by the Tax Office. To be endorsed as a DGR, an organisation must fall within a general DGR category as specified in the tax law and meet the other conditions relating to that category.

Use this chapter to work out:

  • if your organisation can be endorsed as a DGR, and
  • the types of tax deductible gifts endorsed DGRs can receive.

Can your organisation be endorsed as a DGR?

To be endorsed by the Tax Office as a deductible gift recipient (DGR), an organisation (or a part of an organisation) must fall in a general DGR category as specified in the tax law and meet the other conditions that relate to that category.

The DGR table lists the general DGR categories. For each category, it sets out:

  • the description of the category
  • the item number - you will need this when you apply
  • the other conditions relating to endorsement, and
  • the types of deductible gifts that can be received.

Follow the steps below to work out if your organisation can be endorsed as a DGR.

STEP 1

Review the DGR table to see if your organisation (or a part of your organisation) meets the description of a DGR category.

An organisation itself may fall in a DGR category (examples are public hospitals and public universities) or a fund, authority or institution that is operated by an organisation may fall in a DGR category (for example, school building funds and council libraries).

Does your organisation (or a fund, authority or institution that it operates) meet the description of a DGR category?

YES

Go to step 2

NO

Your organisation cannot be endorsed as a DGR. Go to 'DGRs listed by name'.

STEP 2

Check that all the requirements in the description of the category are met.

Some terms in the description of a category are explained later. For example, many categories include the term 'public fund' which is explained.

Review the further explanation of the category, if any.

Does your organisation (or a fund, authority or institution that it operates) meet all the requirements in the description of the category?

YES

Go to step 3

NO

Go back to step 1 to find if your organisation falls in a different category.

STEP 3

Check that the other conditions relating to the category are met.

Column 3 of the DGR table lists the other conditions that apply to each category. They are:

  • In Australia - the organisation must be 'in Australia'
  • Endorsement - the organisation must:
    • have an ABN,
    • maintain a gift fund, and
    • apply to the Tax Office for endorsement.
  • Receipts - if a DGR issues a receipt for a gift, it must include certain information on the receipt.
  • Self-review - a DGR must tell the Tax Office if its ceases to be entitled to endorsement.

Where required, the In Australia and Endorsement conditions must be satisfied before an organisation can be endorsed as a DGR by the Tax Office. Once endorsed, all relevant conditions must continue to be satisfied. These conditions are explained in 'DGRs - other conditions'.

Does your organisation meet all the requirements of a general DGR category and satisfy the In Australia and Endorsement conditions where required?

YES

Your organisation can apply for endorsement as a DGR - see 'Applying for endorsement'.

NO

Your organisation cannot be endorsed as a DGR. Go to 'DGRs listed by name'.

If your organisation is endorsed as a DGR, donors can claim income tax deductions from the date the endorsement starts.

DEDUCTIBLE GIFTS

Column 4 of the DGR table lists the types of deductible gifts that endorsed DGRs can receive. The deductible gift types are explained in 'Gift types'.

For some DGRs, the income tax law adds further conditions relating to the gifts they can receive. Column 1 of the DGR table sets out the gift conditions, if any, for each general DGR category. Gift conditions are explained further in 'Gift conditions'.

Contributions made to DGRs for fundraising events such as fundraising dinners and charity auctions may also be tax deductible. See 'Contributions to DGRs'.

EXAMPLE

XYZ Agency is a government authority that operates a research facility engaged in research into the prevention of disease in animals.

DGR ENDORSEMENT

Follow the steps below to find out the requirements and other conditions XYZ Agency must meet to be endorsed as a DGR.

Step 1

XYZ Agency could fall under the 'Health' or 'Research' groups.

The categories 'Public authority for research' and 'Approved research institute' could describe XYZ Agency.

If XYZ Agency has not been approved as an approved research institute, the description of 'Public authority for research' best describes XYZ Agency.

Step 2

The description of 'Public authority for research' refers to an explanation of 'Public authority'.

XYZ Agency must meet the additional requirements in the explanation of 'Public authority'.

Step 3

XYZ Agency must meet other conditions. It must:

  • be in Australia
  • meet the requirements for endorsement (that is, it must have an ABN, maintain a gift fund and apply to the Tax Office for endorsement)
  • issue gift receipts correctly, and
  • conduct self-reviews.

The other conditions are explained in 'DGRs - other conditions'.

DGR table - general categories

Item Number

Other conditions (see chapter 3)

Type of gift (see chapter 6)

HEALTH

Public authority for research - a public authority engaged in research into the causes, prevention or cure of disease in human beings, animals or plants.

See 'Public authority'.

The activities of the public authority do not need to be limited to such research. It may engage in other activities.

Gift condition: a gift will only be tax deductible if it is made to the public authority for research into the causes, prevention or cure of disease in human beings, animals or plants.

1.1.4

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

DEDUCTIBLE GIFTS

XYZ Agency applied to the Tax Office for endorsement as a DGR and its application was approved. XYZ Agency is currently endorsed as a DGR as a 'Public authority for research'.

XYZ Agency can receive the following types of tax deductible gifts:

  • money of $2 or more
  • property > $5,000
  • property < 12 months, and
  • trading stock.

'Public authority for research' has a gift condition. For gifts to XYZ Agency to be tax deductible to donors, they must be made for the purposes of research into the causes, prevention or cure of disease in human beings, animals or plants.

DGR Table

The DGR table lists the general categories of deductible gift recipients (DGRs). It will help you work out:

  • the requirements and other conditions an organisation must satisfy to be endorsed as a DGR, and
  • the types of deductible gifts particular DGRs can receive.

See 'Can your organisation be endorsed as a DGR?' for an explanation of how to use this table.

DGR table - general categories

Item Number

Other conditions (see chapter 3)

Type of gift (see chapter 6)

HEALTH

Public hospital

1.1.1

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Non-profit hospital - a hospital carried on by a society or association otherwise than for the purposes of profit or gain to the individual members of the society or association.

A hospital is an institution in which patients are received for continuous medical care and treatment for sickness, disease or injury. Providing accommodation is integral to a hospital's care and treatment. Clinics that mainly treat ambulatory patients who return to their homes after each visit are not hospitals. However, day surgeries that provide beds for patients to recover after surgery may be hospitals. Homes providing nursing care in respect of feeding, cleanliness and the like are not hospitals. However, nursing homes for people suffering from illness are accepted as hospitals. Hospices for the terminally ill will generally be hospitals. Minor outpatient and nursing care will not prevent an institution being a hospital.

A society or association will be non-profit if it is prevented, by law or its governing documents, from distributing profits and its actions are consistent with the prohibition. The hospital may be carried on to make a profit but those profits must not find their way, directly or indirectly, to the individual members of the society or association. It is not necessary that the hospital is carried on for the general public.

Examples are hospitals run by churches and religious orders.

1.1.2

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public fund for public and non-profit hospitals - a public fund established before 23 October 1963 and maintained for the purpose of providing money for a public hospital or a non-profit hospital (covered by items 1.1.1 or 1.1.2) or for the establishment of such hospitals.

See 'Public fund'.

1.1.3

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public authority for research - a public authority engaged in research into the causes, prevention or cure of disease in human beings, animals or plants.

See 'Public authority'.

The activities of the public authority do not need to be limited to such research. It may engage in other activities.

Gift condition: a gift will only be tax deductible if it is made to the public authority for research into the causes, prevention or cure of disease in human beings, animals or plants.

1.1.4

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public institution for research - a public institution engaged solely in research into the causes, prevention or cure of disease in human beings, animals or plants. Such an institution will be a public institution if:

  • it is established and controlled by persons or institutions having a degree of responsibility to the public
  • it is not carried on for the profit or gain of particular persons, and
  • the results of its research are available to the public.

The activities of the public institution must be confined to research into the causes, prevention or cure of disease in human beings, animals or plants.

1.1.5

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Health promotion charity - a charitable institution whose principal activity is to promote the prevention or the control of diseases in human beings.

See 'Health promotion charity'.

1.1.6

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public ambulance service

Gift condition: gifts must be made on or after 1 April 2004.

1.1.7

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public fund for public ambulance services - a public fund established and maintained for the purpose of providing money for the provision of public ambulance services.

See 'Public fund'.

Gift condition: gifts must be made on or after 1 April 2004.

1.1.8

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

EDUCATION

Public university

2.1.1

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public fund for establishment of a public university

See 'Public fund'.

2.1.2

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Higher education institution - a higher education institution within the meaning of the Higher Education Funding Act 1988.

These institutions include the University of South Australia, Central Queensland University, Monash University, Southern Cross University and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education.

2.1.3

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Residential educational institution - a residential educational institution affiliated under statutory provisions with a public university.

The affiliation with the public university must be under the university's statutory provisions. It is the residential educational institution that must be affiliated rather than a building it uses.

Examples include residential colleges established under public universities statutes.

2.1.4

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Commonwealth residential educational institution - a residential educational institution established by the Commonwealth.

2.1.5

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Affiliated residential educational institution - a residential educational institution that is affiliated with a higher education institution within the meaning of the Higher Education Funding Act 1988.

The higher education institutions are discussed at item 2.1.3. Examples include residential colleges of the higher educational institutions.

2.1.6

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

TAFE - an institution that the Minister for Education, Science and Training has declared, by signed instrument, to be a technical and further education institution within the meaning of the Employment, Education and Training Act 1988.

Gift condition: gifts must be for:

  • purposes of the institution that have been declared by the Minister for Education, Science and Training to relate solely to tertiary education, or
  • the provision of facilities for the institution, if the Minister has declared that he or she is satisfied the facilities are to be used principally for such purposes.

2.1.7

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public fund for religious instruction in government schools - a public fund established and maintained solely for the purpose of providing religious instruction in government schools in Australia.

See 'Public fund'.

2.1.8

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Roman Catholic public fund for religious instruction in government schools - a public fund established and maintained by a Roman Catholic archdiocesan or diocesan authority solely for the purpose of providing religious instruction in government schools in Australia.

See 'Public fund'.

2.1.9

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

School building fund

See 'School building fund'.

2.1.10

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public fund for rural school hostel building - a public fund established and maintained solely for providing money for the acquisition, construction, or maintenance of a rural school hostel building.

See 'Public fund'.

The building must be used, or going to be used, principally as residential accommodation for students:

  • whose usual place of residence is in a rural area, and
  • who are undertaking primary or secondary education or special education programs for children with disabilities at a school in the same area as the building.

The costs of the school must be solely or partly funded by the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.

The residential accommodation must be provided by:

  • the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory, or
  • a public authority (See 'public authority'), or
  • a company that is:
    • not carried on for the purposes of profit or gain to its individual members, and
    • prohibited by its constitution from making any distribution of money or property to its members.

2.1.11

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Government special school - a government school that provides special education for students each of whom has a disability that is permanent or is likely to be permanent and does not provide education for other students.

Gift condition: gifts must be made on or after 1 April 2004.

2.1.12

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Life Education company - a company that conducts life education programs under the auspices of the Life Education Centre.

The company must be:

  • not carried on for the purposes of profit or gain to its individual members, and
  • prohibited by its constitution from making any distribution of money or property to its members.

Gift condition: the gift must be for the conduct of such programs.

2.2.9

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

RESEARCH

Approved research institute - an approved research institute is:

  • the CSIRO
  • a university, college, institute, association or organisation approved in writing by:
    • the CSIRO
    • the Australian Department of Health and Ageing (formerly Department of Health and Aged Care), or
    • the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (formerly Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs)

as an approved research institute for the purposes of section 73A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 for undertaking scientific research which is, or may prove to be, of value to Australia.

Guidelines on approved research institutes may be obtained from:

CSIRO

PO Box 225

DICKSON ACT 2601

Gift condition: only gifts for the purposes of scientific research in the field of natural or applied science are deductible.

3.1.1

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

The Commonwealth

Gift condition: only gifts made for the purposes of research in the Australian Antarctic Territory will be deductible.

3.2.3

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

WELFARE AND RIGHTS

Public benevolent institution - a non-profit institution whose dominant purpose is the direct relief of poverty, sickness, destitution, suffering or misfortune and for the benefit of the community, or a section of it.

See 'Public benevolent institution'.

4.1.1

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public fund for public benevolent institutions - a public fund established before 23 October 1963 and maintained for the purpose of providing money for public benevolent institutions or for the establishment of public benevolent institutions.

See 'Public fund'.

See 'Public benevolent institution'.

4.1.2

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public fund for persons in necessitous circumstances - a public fund established and maintained for the relief of persons in Australia who are in necessitous circumstances.

See 'Public fund'.

See 'Necessitous circumstances fund'.

4.1.3

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public fund on the register of harm prevention charities

See 'Public fund'.

The principal activity of a harm prevention charity must be the promotion of the prevention or the control of behaviour that is harmful or abusive to human beings.

The Register of Harm Prevention Charitable Institutions is managed by the Department of Family and Community Services. Guidelines and the application form for registration and endorsement as a DGR can be obtained from:

Resource Management Branch

Department of Family and Community Services

GPO Box 7788

CANBERRA MAIL CENTRE ACT 2610

Phone: 1800 441 242

Fax: (02) 6244 1465

Email: harmpreventioncharitiesregister@facs.gov.au

Website: www.facs.gov.au

Gift condition: the public fund must be listed on the Register of Harm Prevention Charitable Institutions when the gift is made.

4.1.4

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

DEFENCE

The Commonwealth or a State

Gift condition: only gifts made for the purposes of defence will be deductible.

5.1.1

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public institution or public fund for members of the armed forces - a public institution or public fund established and maintained for the comfort, recreation or welfare of members of the armed forces of any part of Her Majesty's dominions, or of any allied or other foreign force serving in association with Her Majesty's armed forces.

See 'Public fund'.

Such an institution will be a public institution if:

  • it is established and controlled by persons or institutions having a degree of responsibility to the public, and
  • it is not carried on for the profit or gain of particular persons.

5.1.2

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

ENVIRONMENT

Public fund on the Register of Environmental Organisations

See 'Public fund on the Register of Environmental Organisations'.

Gift condition: the public fund must be listed on the Register of Environmental Organisations when the gift is made.

6.1.1

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

THE FAMILY

Public fund for an approved marriage guidance organisation - a public fund established and maintained solely for the purpose of providing money to be used in giving or providing marriage education under the Marriage Act 1961, or family and child mediation or family and child counselling under the Family Law Act 1975, to persons in Australia.

See 'Public fund'.

The services must be given or provided through a voluntary organisation (or its branch or section). The organisation (or its branch or section) must be approved by the Attorney-General under section 9C of the Marriage Act 1961 or section 13A or 13B of the Family Law Act 1975. Applications for approval by the Attorney-General should be forwarded to:

Branch Manager

Family Relationship Services and Child Support Policy Branch

Department of Family and Community Services

GPO Box 7788

CANBERRA MAIL CENTRE ACT 2610

8.1.1

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overseas aid fund - a public fund that the Treasurer has declared, by notice in the Gazette, to be a relief fund.

See 'Overseas aid fund'.

Gift condition: the Treasurer's declaration must be in force at the time the gift is made.

9.1.1

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Guides branch - an institution that is known as a State or Territory branch of Guides Australia Incorporated.

10.2.3

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Scout branch - an institution that is known as a State or Territory branch of the Scout Association of Australia.

10.2.5

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS

Public fund on the Register of Cultural Organisations -

See 'Public fund on the Register of Cultural Organisations'.

Gift condition: the public fund must be listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations when the gift is made.

12.1.1

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

Public library

See 'Public library'.

12.1.2

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock
  • cultural gifts
  • cultural bequests

Public museum

See 'Public museum'.

12.1.3

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock
  • cultural gifts
  • cultural bequests

Public art gallery

See 'Public art gallery'.

12.1.4

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock
  • cultural gifts
  • cultural bequests

Institution consisting of a public library, public museum and public art gallery or of any two of them

See 'Public library', 'public museum and 'public art gallery'.

12.1.5

  • in Australia
  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock
  • cultural gifts
  • cultural bequests

ANCILLARY FUND

Ancillary fund - a public fund established and maintained under a will or instrument of trust solely for the purpose of providing money, property or benefits to DGRs or the establishment of DGRs.

See 'Ancillary fund'.

-

  • endorsement
  • receipts
  • self-review
  • $2 or more
  • property >$5,000
  • property <12mths
  • trading stock

The table above, lists the general categories of deductible gift recipients. See 'Can your organisation be endorsed as a deductible gift recipient' for an explanation of how to use the table.

Explanation of terms in the DGR table

PUBLIC AUTHORITY

Several deductible gift recipient (DGR) categories require that the recipient of gifts be a public authority.

A public authority is an agency or instrument of government exercising power or command for the public advantage. It has governmental authority for doing so. It possesses powers that are exceptional compared to ordinary individuals, but not necessarily coercive powers.

Public authorities include:

  • municipal authorities
  • sanitary and water supply authorities
  • railway and transport authorities
  • lighting authorities
  • construction authorities, and
  • boards of guardians.

PUBLIC FUND

Various DGR categories require that the recipient of gifts is a public fund.

The objects of a public fund must be clearly set out and reflect the purpose of the fund. For a fund to fall within one of the DGR categories, its objects must conform with the requirements of that particular category.

The objects and rules can be set out in a separate founding document or incorporated in its constitution or the founding documents of the sponsoring organisation. The organisation's constitution or founding document must authorise the establishment of the fund, for example, in the organisation's objects.

It must be the intention of the promoters or founders that the public will contribute to the fund and they invite such contributions. The public or a significant part of it must in fact contribute to the fund.

EXAMPLE

A trust fund is set up to provide benefits for a child with a severe medical condition. The trustees are the guardians of the child and the family lawyer. Although it is stated that donations would be sought from the public, the only donors are the guardians and family members. The fund would not be a public fund because it does not actually receive contributions from the public.

The public must participate in the administration of the fund (except where it is established and controlled by a governmental or quasi-governmental authority).

For non-government public funds the fund must be administered or controlled by persons or institutions who, because of their tenure of some public office or their position in the community, have a degree of responsibility to the community as a whole. Church authorities, school principals, judges, clergy, solicitors, doctors and other professional people, mayors, councillors, town clerks and members of parliament would satisfy this requirement.

The fund must operate on a non-profit basis: that is, moneys must not be distributed to members of the managing committee or trustees of the fund except as reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the fund or as proper remuneration for administrative services.

Gifts to the fund must be kept separate from any other funds of the sponsoring organisation (if there is one). A separate bank account and clear accounting procedures are required.

The fund must have an acceptable dissolution clause: that is, one which provides that, on winding-up, any surplus money or other assets must be transferred to some other gift deductible fund maintained by a DGR.

An acceptable dissolution clause for a public fund is:

Dissolution clause

'In the event of the fund being wound up or dissolved, any surplus assets remaining after the payment of the fund's liabilities shall be transferred to another fund, authority or institution which has similar objects and to which income tax deductible gifts can be made.'

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to Taxation Ruling TR 95/27 Income tax: public funds.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

CHECKLIST: Public fund

Consider the following questions when working out whether your organisation is a public fund. They should be used in conjunction with the other information provided in the explanation of a public fund.

  • Is your organisation a fund and not an institution?
  • Are the objects clearly set out and reflect the purpose of the fund?
  • Was the intention of the promoters or founders of the fund that the public will contribute to it?
  • Does the public or a significant part of it, in fact, contribute to the fund?
  • Is the fund administered or controlled by persons or institutions who, because of their tenure of some public office or their position in the community, have a degree of responsibility to the community as a whole?
  • Is the fund operated on a non-profit basis, with suitable non-profit and dissolution clauses in its constituent or governing documents?

Does your fund meet all the requirements of the description of a public fund?

YES

Go back to the DGR table to check that it also meets the other requirements to fall within the relevant DGR category.

NO

Go back to the DGR table to check whether your organisation falls within a different DGR category.

Health Promotion Charity

The characteristics of a health promotion charity are:

  • its principal activity is promoting the prevention or the control of diseases in human beings, and
  • it is a charity that is a charitable institution.

Examples of health promotion charities include charitable institutions that:

  • provide relevant information to sufferers of a disease, health professionals, carers and the public
  • research how to detect, prevent or treat diseases in people
  • develop or provide relevant aids and equipment to sufferers of a disease.

Disease

The term 'diseases' includes any physical or mental ailment, disorder, defect or morbid condition, whether of sudden onset or gradual development, and whether of genetic or other origin.

Examples of diseases that fall within this definition include asthma, cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), arthritis, heart conditions, brain conditions, paraplegia and kidney conditions.

The disease must be one affecting humans.

Prevention or control

The activities of the organisation must be directed towards promoting prevention or control of the disease. Examples of prevention or control include:

  • providing broad-based education to individuals suffering from a disease
  • providing broad-based education to carers and service providers
  • engaging in medical research into the causes, prevention and treatment of a disease, and
  • engaging in activities to raise community awareness of a disease and other similar diseases.

Charitable institution

The organisation must be a charity. The characteristics of a charity are:

  • it is an entity
  • it exists for the public benefit or the relief of poverty
  • it is non-profit
  • its purposes are charitable within the legal sense of that term, and
  • its sole or dominant purpose is charitable.

For an explanation of these characteristics, refer to our publication Income tax guide for non-profit organisations (NAT 7967).

To be a health promotion charity, the charity must be a charitable institution and not a mere fund. An organisation will not be an institution if it is a trust that merely manages trust property, and/or holds trust property to make distributions to other entities.

EXAMPLE

A fund is established with the principal purpose of soliciting funds for cancer research.

However, the fund merely distributes money to cancer research organisations, so it does not have the characteristics of an institution, and it will not be a health promotion charity.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to Taxation Ruling TR 2004/8 Income tax and fringe benefits tax: health promotion charities.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

CHECKLIST: Health promotion charity

Consider the following questions when working out whether your organisation is a health promotion charity. They should be used in conjunction with the other information provided in the explanation of a health promotion charity.

  • What is your organisation's principal activity?
  • How does the principal activity promote the prevention or control of diseases in humans?
  • What is the nature of the disease or diseases to which your organisation's activities are directed?
  • Is the disease one that is suffered by humans?
  • Is your organisation a charitable institution?

Does your organisation meet all the requirements of the description of a health promotion charity?

YES

Go back to the DGR table to check the other conditions it must meet to be a DGR.

NO

Go back to the DGR table to check whether it falls within a different DGR category.

School Building Fund

The DGR category of school building fund covers funds with the following characteristics:

  • the fund is a public fund
  • the public fund is established and maintained solely for providing money for the acquisition, construction or maintenance of a building
  • the building is used, or to be used, as a school or college, and
  • the building is used for that purpose by:
    • a government
    • a public authority, or
    • a non-profit society or association.

Public fund

See Public fund.

School or college

A school or college provides organised instruction or training on a regular and continuing basis. The instruction is generally provided in class form.

It includes people assembling for regular study of some area of knowledge or activity and extends to religious as well as secular instruction.

Factors that are relevant in deciding whether there is a school or college include:

  • courses provided
  • subjects taught
  • method of assessment used and certificates awarded
  • teaching qualifications required of the instructors, and
  • number of pupils.

If the dominant function is not instruction or training, it is not a school or college.

Bodies that have been accepted as schools or colleges include:

  • Sunday schools
  • adult religious education centres
  • bible study centres, and
  • pre-school kindergartens that are not primarily for child minding.

Bodies that are not schools or colleges include:

  • child care centres, and
  • yoga schools, riding schools, woodturning centres, dressmaking, ceramics and cookery workshops where the primary activity is associated with recreational pursuits.

Building used as a school or college

The term 'building' includes one building, a group of buildings, a part of a building or additions to a building.

The building should be a permanent structure, usually with walls and a roof.

Items that are not buildings include:

  • tennis courts, playing fields, covered play areas, car parks and landscaping
  • land acquired for the purpose of providing recreational space, such as a sports ground, and
  • furniture, training equipment and computers, unless they form an integral part of the building, that is, fixtures.

Fixtures are accepted as part of a building. They are affixed to a building and are unable to be detached without substantial damage to the item itself or that to which it is attached.

Fixtures include ducted heating systems and fixed air conditioning systems.

The building or group of buildings must be used for a purpose that is connected with the curriculum of the school or college.

Buildings used as a school include:

  • indoor swimming pool (surrounded by walls and roof) being an integral part of a building which is used as a school or college, and
  • school or college assembly halls.

A multi-purpose building is taken to be used as a school or college if the primary and principal use of the building is as a school or college. More than 50% of the time will satisfy this requirement.

EXAMPLE

A building used as a school or college every weekday and a place of worship on Sundays will qualify as a school or college building. However, a hall used for religious instruction on Sundays only and for community and social activities on other days of the week would not be a school or college building.

What a school building fund can pay for

A school building fund is solely for providing money for acquiring, constructing or maintaining the school or college buildings. It cannot be used for any other purpose.

Expenditure on capital improvements and maintenance, as well as installing and maintaining fixtures, are accepted outlays of a school building fund.

Costs payable from a school building fund include:

  • purchase of land for which there are definite plans to construct a building to be used as a school or college
  • construction or purchase expenses and associated financing costs
  • painting and general maintenance of school buildings, and building insurance
  • expenditure on carpets that are fixed to the floor of the school building, and
  • administration costs of the fund, including bank fees, accounting costs and fundraising expenses.

Costs that cannot be paid by a school building fund include running expenses of the school, paying teachers, buying furniture and materials, and maintaining sports grounds and car parks.

A school building fund may invest or lend its money if this is a bona fide and temporary arrangement, and is consistent with achieving the fund's objects with all reasonable speed.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to the following publications:

To obtain these publications, see 'More information'.

CHECKLIST: School building fund

Consider the following questions when working out whether your organisation is a school building fund. They should be used in conjunction with the other information provided in the explanation of a school building fund.

  • Is your fund a public fund?
  • Do the fund's constituent or governing documents clearly show it was established solely to provide money for acquiring, constructing or maintaining a building used, or to be used, as a school or college?
  • Is the building used, or to be used, as a school or college by a government, public authority or non-profit body?
  • Are the actual payments made by the fund only for acquiring, constructing or maintaining the building (including fixtures and the fund's administration costs)?

Does your fund meet all the requirements of the description of a school building fund?

YES

Go back to the DGR table to check the other conditions it must meet to be a DGR.

NO

Go back to the DGR table to check whether your organisation falls within a different DGR category.

Public Benevolent Institution

A public benevolent institution (PBI) is a non-profit institution organised for the direct relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability or helplessness.

Organisations that may be PBIs include:

  • hostels for the homeless
  • disability support services
  • hospitals and medical clinics
  • disaster relief organisations, and
  • refugee relief centres.

The characteristics of a PBI are:

  • it is set up for needs that require benevolent relief
  • it relieves those needs by directly providing services to people suffering from them
  • it is carried on for the public benefit
  • it is non-profit
  • it is an institution, and
  • its dominant purpose is providing benevolent relief.

Needs requiring benevolent relief

The condition or misfortune relieved by a PBI must be such poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability or helplessness as arouses pity or compassion in the community. Examples of activities of PBIs include:

  • providing hostel accommodation for the homeless
  • treating sufferers of disease
  • providing home help for the aged and the infirm
  • transporting the sick or disabled, and
  • rescuing people who are lost or stranded.

Not all degrees of distress or suffering would necessarily arouse community compassion. For example, the emotional stress and pain encountered in normal daily life associated with such things as failure, deception, loss of status and reputation, and bereavement are not normally the needs for which PBIs cater.

For example, organisations that provide marriage guidance or counselling to sole parents who are divorced or have lost a spouse will not be PBIs.

Needs to be met by education or training will not normally be such as to arouse community compassion. This includes needs satisfied by vocational training or apprenticeship schemes. However, there will be circumstances where education or training may be among the services provided to alleviate the effects of poverty or helplessness.

For example, primary and secondary schools, business colleges and Scouts are not PBIs, however a braille learning centre for the blind is a PBI.

Relief of need

Organisations that serve people who are in need will only be PBIs if they relieve those needs.

EXAMPLE

A group of seniors form a club to organise their holidays. The club is not a PBI because its purpose is not the providing of relief.

The services of some organisations are too broad and not sufficiently focused on meeting such needs to be considered PBIs.

EXAMPLE

A community service organisation helps the needy, runs after-school care, organises cultural events and offers relationship counselling. Its services are too broad to be a PBI.

The fact that an organisation charges fees will not prevent it from being benevolent. However, the type and level of charges, in light of the services provided, may indicate that an organisation is not a PBI. The waiving of charges for those in financial need can help characterise an organisation as a PBI.

Direct provision of services

PBIs provide their services directly to persons in need of relief.

Examples of PBIs include:

  • medical clinics treating the sick
  • hostels providing accommodation for the homeless, and
  • emergency services rescuing people in peril.

If an organisation exists to promote social welfare in the community generally, it will lack the required direct benevolence. For example, organisations for lobbying, advocacy, research and policy studies, and disseminating information are not PBIs.

Organisations that merely play a general role in the field of benevolent relief will not be PBIs. Similarly, an organisation that merely provides information on welfare and/or similar services to the community is not a PBI.

Organisations are not PBIs if they primarily:

  • give information and advice to the public on preventing a disease or ailment
  • conduct research, training or advocacy about a need or condition, or
  • provide equipment and facilities to PBIs and other bodies that help people in need.

Coordinating bodies formed by PBIs to help them provide part of their benevolent services can be PBIs. However, the fact that a body provides services to PBIs is not enough.

EXAMPLE

A non-profit company is formed to provide administrative and publicity services for community groups. Its members are not predominantly PBIs and its services are not mainly for providing benevolent relief. The company is not a PBI.

Public

PBIs operate for the public. They confer relief on an appreciable needy class in the community. An organisation does not have to be controlled or funded by government to operate for the public.

Organisations will not be public in the required sense if:

  • benefits are not provided for the public but are provided on such grounds as, for example, personal relations, employment, membership of a voluntary association which can arbitrarily exclude potential applicants (for example, a trade union or cultural association), or
  • benefits are provided on a discriminatory basis and not primarily because of need.

EXAMPLE

An association provides welfare services for the aged and sick. However, its services are only provided to its subscribing members and their dependants. The association is not a PBI.

Limits on who can benefit are acceptable if they are merely to better enable the PBI to provide its public benevolent relief.

Non-profit

A PBI operates on a non-profit basis. That is, its assets or profits are not distributed to members, owners or particular persons, except as reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the organisation or as proper remuneration for administrative services.

We accept an institution as being non-profit if, by operation of law (for example, a statute governing the institution's activities) or by its constituent documents, it is prevented from distributing its profits or assets among its members while it is functional and on its winding-up. The institution's actions must be consistent with the prohibition.

Suitable clauses in constituent documents are:

Non-profit clause

'The assets and income of the organisation shall be applied solely in furtherance of its above mentioned objects and no portion shall be distributed directly or indirectly to the members of the organisation except as bona fide compensation for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of the organisation.'

Dissolution clause

'In the event of the organisation being wound up, any surplus assets remaining after the payment of the organisation's liabilities shall be transferred to another organisation in Australia which is a public benevolent institution for the purposes of any Commonwealth taxation Act.'

Institution

An institution can have different legal forms. It may be a trust established by will or instrument of trust. It may have the legal structure of an unincorporated association or a corporation. However, incorporation is not enough, on its own, for an organisation to be an institution. What it does - activities, size, permanence, recognition - is also relevant.

EXAMPLE

A community group forms a company limited by guarantee. Its objects and activities are providing services to the disabled. The company is an institution.

An organisation that is established, controlled and operated by family members and friends would not normally be an institution.

An organisation will not be an institution if it is a trust merely to manage trust property, and/or hold trust property to make distributions to other entities or persons. In contrast, an institution mainly carries out its own activities.

EXAMPLE

A charitable trust's object is relieving poverty. Its function is to manage trust property to make distributions to charities that help the poor. The trust is not an institution.

Predominantly for benevolent relief

The dominant purpose of a PBI is the direct relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability or helplessness. Other purposes and activities must be incidental to that purpose. They will be minor in extent and importance.

EXAMPLE

A society is organised to relieve the sufferers of a particular disease. It also makes distributions to research bodies trying to find a cure for the disease. These distributions will not affect PBI status if they are minor.

Organisations that provide benevolent services but only as part of broader purposes or operations are not PBIs. For example, if the benevolent services are part of disseminating religious views, providing general social services or promoting cultural objectives, the organisation will not be a PBI.

EXAMPLE

An association is organised by an ethnic group. It provides cultural, social and sporting activities, care for the aged and disabled, after-school care and education programs. While some of the association's purposes may provide benevolent relief, this is not its dominant purpose.

Deciding whether an organisation is predominantly for provision of benevolent relief is a matter of fact and degree. It is an objective question that will involve weighing all relevant factors. Both the organisation's constitution and activities will be relevant.

If there are changes in an organisation's constitution or operations, its status may change. An organisation's character upon foundation will not be determinative. However, the foundation, history and proposed future directions may all be relevant.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to Taxation Ruling TR 2003/5 Income tax and fringe benefits tax: public benevolent institutions.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

CHECKLIST: PBI

Consider the following questions when working out whether your organisation is a PBI. They should be used in conjunction with the other information provided in the explanation of a PBI.

  • Who is your organisation set up to help?
  • Why do these people need help?
  • What aid or services does your organisation provide to them?
  • How does your organisation choose who will receive your services?
  • From day-to-day operations, annual reports, financial statements and promotional material, etc, can your organisation conclude that your dominant activity is providing direct relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability, or helplessness?
  • Do your organisation's constituent documents (for example, memorandum and articles of association, rules, constitution, trust deed) clearly show that your organisation's dominant purpose is providing benevolent relief?
  • Does your organisation limit the people to benefit only on the basis of being better able to provide benevolent relief?
  • Is your organisation a non-profit institution?

Does your organisation meet all the requirements of the description of a PBI?

YES

Go back to the DGR table to check the other conditions it must meet to be a DGR.

NO

Go back to the DGR table to check whether it falls within a different DGR category.

Types of organisations

The following list shows common types of organisations and whether they are PBIs.

Aged persons organisations will not be PBIs if they are essentially for the social, cultural or other pursuits of people who are over the usual retirement age. They will only be PBIs if their primary aim is to alleviate the loneliness and other misfortunes suffered by those aged people unable to readily mix in society. The fact that aged people will feel less lonely as a result of their participation in the organisation's social activities is not sufficient.

Aged persons hostels may be PBIs. They must be principally for people in poor circumstances or for the relief of needs arising from old age, such as sickness or incapacity, isolation, loneliness or insecurity, or the greater risks of being without prompt medical advice or help.

Animal welfare societies are not PBIs. However, they may fall within another DGR category.

Baby health centres are not generally PBIs.

Business enterprise organisations are not PBIs.

Charities are not necessarily PBIs. Charities for the relief of poverty, sickness and the needs of the aged may be PBIs, but most others are not.

Community radio stations are not PBIs.

Community bodies such as progress associations, community associations, advice bureaus, development associations, neighbourhood watch and agricultural societies are generally not PBIs.

Conservation groups are not PBIs.

Coordinating bodies - such as national associations to coordinate the activities of their state affiliates - will only be PBIs where they are completely integrated with, and provide services predominantly to, member organisations who are PBIs.

Counselling organisations may be PBIs where their services are mainly to meet needs requiring benevolent relief. Examples are organisations that alleviate helplessness by providing counselling for alcoholics and newly discharged prisoners. Organisations primarily for marriage, financial, family and similar counselling are not PBIs.

Credit unions, building societies and friendly societies are not PBIs.

Emergency services or search and rescue teams consisting of volunteers and voluntary organisations such as bush fire brigades, which have as their central purpose provision of direct relief to disadvantaged people, may qualify as PBIs. This will be the case where they are not arms of government and subject to government control.

Family self-help organisations are unlikely to be PBIs.

Government departments and agencies are unlikely to be PBIs. They are established to promote welfare for the community rather than to provide benevolent relief.

Government-funded organisations are only PBIs if they operate directly to relieve poverty, sickness, suffering or misfortune.

Hostels providing cheap traveller accommodation are not PBIs.

Housing bodies may be PBIs where they give benevolent relief by providing low rental or subsidised accommodation to underprivileged people affected by poverty, disability or other need requiring benevolent relief.

Legacy organisations that provide benevolent services to the dependants of deceased ex-members of the armed forces are PBIs.

Legal aid services may be PBIs where they are predominantly to handle the legal affairs of the needy and underprivileged. They might be operated by law societies, as community legal centres, or by quasi-government bodies.

Kindergartens, child care centres and creches are not PBIs.

Marriage guidance organisations are not PBIs. However, they may fall within another DGR category. Check the DGR table.

Migrant resource centres are not PBIs. In contrast, non-profit organisations that are predominantly to directly relieve the helplessness and distress of refugees may be PBIs.

Organisations operated by PBIs are not automatically PBIs. The organisation itself must provide direct relief of poverty, suffering, distress and misfortune.

Pensioner organisations will only be PBIs where they are predominantly to alleviate distress and helplessness requiring benevolent relief. In contrast, pensioner organisations primarily for political or lobbying purposes, or managing funeral funds for financial members, will not be PBIs.

Political parties and lobby groups are not PBIs.

Professional and trade associations, chambers of commerce and trade unions are not PBIs.

Religious organisations will only be PBIs where their primary purpose and predominant activity is the direct relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune and helplessness.

School parents and citizens associations are not PBIs.

Scouts, Brownies, Guides and similar organisations are not PBIs. However, they may fall within another DGR category. Check the DGR table.

Social, cultural and sporting bodies are not PBIs.

Student unions are not PBIs.

Surf lifesaving associations will be PBIs if their purposes and activities are predominantly for providing life saving services.

Traditional service clubs are not PBIs.

Unemployed people may have needs that arouse community compassion and thus require benevolent relief. However, not all organisations providing services to the unemployed will be PBIs. For example, vocational training, apprenticeship, counselling, referral, fellowship and advisory services will generally not qualify. On the other hand, organisations assisting unemployed people in situations of helplessness to become more self-reliant during periods of unemployment, and develop their capacities for obtaining employment, may be PBIs.

Women's health centres will be PBIs where their dominant purpose is to relieve sickness, suffering, distress or helplessness. If the benevolent relief is only one among many activities - such as education, public awareness, lobbying, counselling and referral - the centre will not be a PBI.

Youth clubs will be PBIs only where they are primarily for youths from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds and provide services primarily directed to relieving this situation.

Necessitous Circumstances Fund

A necessitous circumstances fund is a public fund established and maintained for the relief of persons in Australia who are in necessitous circumstances.

See 'Public fund'. The other issues are:

  • What are necessitous circumstances?
  • How can a public fund provide relief to persons who are in necessitous circumstances?
  • To what extent does a public fund have to be for the purpose of relieving persons in necessitous circumstances?
  • Must the persons receiving relief be in Australia?

What are necessitous circumstances?

The expression 'necessitous circumstances' refers to financial necessity. It does not extend to needs generally. Accordingly, the needs of the sick, incapacitated, aged, etc will not, on their own, constitute necessitous circumstances.

Necessitous circumstances involves some degree of poverty, though it may be less than abject poverty or destitution. Necessitous circumstances does not extend to the absence of merely desirable advantages.

EXAMPLE

While on holidays interstate, Jennifer was seriously injured in a car accident. She is suffering from loneliness and is facing a lengthy stay in hospital before she can return home. A local service club wishes to raise funds to fly Jennifer's mother to comfort her daughter.

Jennifer's needs are not financial in nature. The fund is not a necessitous circumstances fund.

A person will be in necessitous circumstances where his or her financial resources are insufficient to obtain all that is necessary, not only for a bare existence, but for a modest standard of living in the Australian community.

A strong indicator of this would be where a person's level of income is such that they are eligible to receive income tested government benefits. Other indicators are health needs (such as sickness or disability) and family responsibilities. Such non-financial needs can cause financial necessity.

EXAMPLE

Geoff is 17 years old and was permanently incapacitated while playing football. He will require 24-hour care for the rest of his life. He was not insured and his parents cannot meet the costs. The local community wishes to set up an appeal fund for Geoff. The money raised will be used to pay for necessary modifications to his parents' home and for the services of a carer.

The fund will be a necessitous circumstances fund.

The death of a family member or the loss of an asset or a business will not necessarily place a person in necessitous circumstances. Other sources of income or assets (including superannuation, insurance, compensation etc) will be relevant.

EXAMPLE

During recent floods, three volunteer workers were killed while carrying out a rescue. None of the three volunteers had any financial dependants. A public fund to give money to the volunteers' families would not be a necessitous circumstances fund.

The particular circumstances giving rise to financial necessity will not necessarily be permanent. For example, cyclones, floods and other disasters can cause people to be in short-term financial need.

Relieving necessitous circumstances

The common method of relieving necessitous circumstances is by direct distributions of money or goods to the person.

Where services go beyond distributions of money or goods, the organisation is more likely to be an institution rather than a fund. In this case, the organisation may be a public benevolent institution. Public benevolent institutions are a DGR category.

A necessitous circumstances fund can distribute to other organisations, provided the recipients care for persons in necessitous circumstances.

If a public fund distributes for various purposes, only one of which is the care of persons in necessitous circumstances, it may be an ancillary fund. Ancillary funds are a category of DGR.

Not only must a fund be for people in necessitous circumstances, it must also be for the relief of necessitous circumstances.

Not all funds directed towards people in necessitous circumstances are for the relief of necessitous circumstances.

EXAMPLE

A fund provides scholarships for students to attend a particular school. Preference is given to meritorious students who are in necessitous circumstances.

While persons in necessitous circumstances may benefit from the fund, it is not dedicated to providing 'relief' of necessitous circumstances.

Where a fund is maintained primarily for the relief of one individual, family or similar group, its constituent documents should make it clear that the fund is for the relief of the particular circumstances. It should not provide merely that the fund is held on trust for named individuals.

EXAMPLE

A fund is set up to raise money for two families whose homes were badly damaged in a bushfire. The rules of the fund state that the money will go to 'food, clothing and emergency shelter'.

It is clear that the fund is for the relief of necessitous circumstances and not merely for the personal benefit of the families.

Normally a necessitous circumstances fund will use an application form to obtain financial information from anyone applying for assistance. However, in some situations the financial need will be obvious. For example, immediately following a natural disaster, a fund would not normally need to check on the financial resources of each individual beneficiary. This would change once banks reopened, insurance monies are paid and the immediate financial urgency has passed.

EXAMPLE

Smithville has been devastated by a cyclone. A mayoral fund is set up to provide short-term assistance to residents who were victims of flood and cyclone damage. In the immediate short-term, the circumstances of the disaster itself would indicate the need for relief. During this period, close consideration of the potential beneficiaries' finances would not be necessary.

Predominantly for relieving necessitous circumstances

A fund must be exclusively, or at least chiefly, for the relief of persons in necessitous circumstances. If a fund provides benefits indifferently to persons who are and who are not in necessitous circumstances, it will not be a necessitous circumstances fund.

EXAMPLE

A fund has been set up to distribute money evenly for the following purposes: financial need, disaster relief, talented children and sporting achievement. It is not a necessitous circumstances fund because it is not predominantly for the relief of necessitous circumstances.

For people in Australia

The people whose necessitous circumstances are to be relieved must be in Australia.

EXAMPLE

A fund has been set up to provide immediate assistance (in the form of money, food and clothing) to victims of a recent earthquake in New Guinea. It does not fall within the DGR category because it is not for the relief of people in Australia.

If your organisation provides relief to residents of a developing country, see 'Overseas aid fund'.

However, it is acceptable for a fund to provide money for an Australian person to have an operation or treatment carried out overseas because it is unavailable in Australia.

EXAMPLE

Justin is a 10-year-old Australian boy with cancer. The most appropriate treatment is available at a clinic in Germany. Justin's family cannot meet the costs. It is acceptable for a necessitous circumstances fund to help pay for Justin's treatment.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to the following publications:

To obtain these publications, see 'More information'.

Relevant materials to examine when working out whether your organisation is a necessitous circumstances fund are:

the constituent or governing documents, application forms for assistance, policies, advertising and financial statements, as well as the day-to-day activities of your organisation.

CHECKLIST: Necessitous circumstances fund

Consider the following questions when working out whether your organisation is a necessitous circumstances fund. They should be used in conjunction with the other information provided in the explanation of a necessitous circumstances fund.

  • Is your organisation a fund rather than an institution?
  • Is your organisation a public fund?
  • Who is the fund intended to help?
  • Why do these people need help?
  • Are the recipients of help selected on the basis that they suffer necessitous circumstances?
  • Does the help provided by the fund relieve necessitous circumstances?
  • Is it clear from the fund's constituent or governing documents that it is set up to relieve necessitous circumstances?
  • Does the fund limit its help to people who are in Australia?

Does your fund meet all the requirements of the description of a necessitous circumstances fund?

YES

Go back to the DGR table to check the other conditions it must meet to be a DGR.

NO

Go back to the DGR table to check whether your organisation falls within a different DGR category.

Public Fund on the Register of Environmental Organisations

A public fund on the Register of Environmental Organisations is a public fund maintained by an organisation that is on the Register of Environmental Organisations kept by the Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH).

The Treasurer and the Minister for the Environment and Heritage decide whether an organisation and its public fund is entered on the Register of Environmental Organisations.

To be entered on the Register, an organisation must meet several requirements, including:

  • it is a body corporate, a cooperative society, or a trust, or an unincorporated body established for a public purpose by the Commonwealth, a state or a territory
  • its principal purpose is the protection and enhancement of the natural environment or a significant aspect of it, or the provision of information or education, or the carrying on of research, about the natural environment or a significant aspect of it
  • it does not give any of its property or profits to its members, beneficiaries, controllers or owners, and
  • it maintains a public fund to receive gifts (See 'public fund').

Organisations seeking entry to the Register apply on the Application Form for entry to the Register of Environmental Organisations and Endorsement as a Deductible Gift Recipient. To obtain this form and the Guidelines to the Register, contact DEH.

The application is sent to DEH to assess eligibility for inclusion on the Register. If an organisation is included on the Register the form is then sent to the Tax Office for endorsement as a DGR. The organisation does not need to apply separately to the Tax Office.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our fact sheet Environmental and heritage organisations and tax deductible gifts (NAT 8237).

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

For information about the Register of Environmental Organisations, go to www.deh.gov.au and select, 'Taxation concessions' under 'QuickLinks' on the right hand side of the web page.

You can also contact:

Register of Environmental Organisations

Department of Environment and Heritage

GPO Box 787

CANBERRA ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6274 2422

Fax: (02) 6274 1650

Email: reo@deh.gov.au

Does your organisation meet all the requirements to be entered on the Register of Environmental Organisations?

YES

Go back to the DGR table to check the other conditions it must meet to be a DGR and contact DEH.

NO

Go back to the DGR table to check whether it falls within a different DGR category.

Overseas Aid Fund

An overseas aid fund is a public fund that the Treasurer has declared, by notice in the Gazette, to be a relief fund.

For a fund to be a 'relief fund', it must meet several requirements:

  • it is a public fund (See 'public fund')
  • it is established by an organisation declared by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to be an approved organisation, and
  • it is solely for the relief of people in a country declared by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to be a developing country.

Attaining 'relief fund' status is a two-step process. Firstly, the organisation that establishes the fund must be accepted as an 'approved organisation' by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is the agency responsible for managing this process. Information about the criteria for approval can be found at www.ausaid.gov.au/ngos

Once an organisation gains approval from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister refers the 'approved organisation' to the Treasurer. The Treasurer then needs to be satisfied that the organisation has established a public fund exclusively for the relief of people in declared developing countries.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our fact sheet Overseas aid funds and tax deductible gifts (NAT 8233).

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

You can also contact AusAID:

The Community Programs Section

AusAID

GPO Box 887

CANBERRA ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6206 4000

Fax: (02) 6206 4870

Email: ngo_liaison@ausaid.gov.au

Website: www.ausaid.gov.au

Does your fund meet all the requirements to be a 'relief fund'?

YES

Go back to the DGR table to check the other conditions it must meet to be a DGR.

NO

Go back to the DGR table to check whether it falls within a different DGR category.

Public Fund on the Register of Cultural Organisations

A public fund on the Register of Cultural Organisations is a public fund maintained by an organisation that is included on the Register of Cultural Organisations administered by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA).

The Treasurer and the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts decide whether to register the organisation and its public fund. This decision is not made by the Tax Office.

An organisation on the Register of Cultural Organisations must meet several requirements, including:

  • it is a body corporate, or a trust, or an unincorporated body established for a public purpose by the Commonwealth, a state or a territory
  • its principal purpose is the promotion of literature, music, a performing art, a visual art, a craft, design, film, video, television, radio, community arts, Aboriginal arts or movable cultural heritage
  • it does not give any of its property, profits or financial surplus to its members, beneficiaries, controllers or owners
  • it maintains a public fund to receive gifts (See 'public fund')
  • it agrees to provide information on donations at six monthly intervals, and
  • it agrees with DCITA that, if included on the Register, it will participate in periodic reviews of eligibility.

Cultural activities undertaken as the principal purpose of an organisation on the Register include:

  • a new theatrical work
  • the publication of a literary magazine, and
  • the building of a community arts centre.

Organisations seeking entry to the Register apply on the Application Form for entry to the Register of Cultural Organisations and Endorsement as a Deductible Gift Recipient. To obtain this form and the Guidelines to the Register, contact DCITA.

The application is sent to DCITA to assess eligibility for inclusion on the Register. If an organisation is included on the Register the form is then sent to the Tax Office for endorsement as a DGR. The organisation does not need to apply separately to the Tax Office.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our fact sheet Register of cultural organisations and tax deductible gifts (NAT 8235).

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

You can also contact DCITA:

The Manager

Register of Cultural Organisations

Department of Communications, Information Technology

and the Arts

GPO Box 2154

CANBERRA ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6271 1640

Fax (02) 6271 1697

Email: roco.mail@dcita.gov.au

Website: www.dcita.gov.au/arts/arts

Does your organisation meet all the requirements to be entered on the Register of Cultural Organisations?

YES

Go back to the DGR table to check the other conditions it must meet to be a DGR and contact DCITA.

NO

Go back to the DGR table to check whether it falls within a different DGR category.

Public Library, Public Museum and Public Art Gallery

The following are separate DGR categories:

  • a public library
  • a public museum
  • a public art gallery, and
  • an institution consisting of a public library, public museum and public art gallery or of any two of these.

Because they have common characteristics, they are explained here together. Each has the following features:

  • it is owned or controlled by a government or quasigovernment authority, or by persons or an institution having a degree of responsibility to the public
  • its collection is made available to the public
  • it is constituted as a library, museum or art gallery, other people recognise it as such, and it conducts itself in the ways that are consistent with such a character, and
  • it is an institution.

Public ownership and control

Non-government institutions must be owned or controlled by persons or institutions who, because of their tenure of some public office or their position in the community, have a degree of responsibility to the community as a whole. Church authorities, school principals, judges, clergy, solicitors, doctors and other professional people, mayors, councillors, town clerks and members of parliament would satisfy this requirement.

EXAMPLE

A company is set up by a train enthusiast. Its members and board are the enthusiast, his solicitor and his accountant. The public control requirement is not met.

Available to the public

A public library, museum or art gallery makes its collection available to the public.

Limits that make a collection substantially available only to members of an association or employees of a particular employer are not acceptable.

EXAMPLE

A professional association has a library that it makes available only to its members. The library is not a public library.

If limits are in place only to improve availability, they can be acceptable. For example:

  • a public library's books may be available only to residents of a particular town, or
  • particular exhibits of a public museum may be available only to people carrying out research.

A school library can be a public library if the school is open to the public. This includes primary and secondary schools run by government or religious bodies and TAFE colleges. It does not include schools run for the profit of their owners.

Purpose and function as a library, museum or art gallery

The terms 'library', 'museum' and 'art gallery' have their ordinary meanings. They have been described as:

  • library: a place set apart to contain books and other literary material for reading, study or reference
  • museum: building or place for the keeping, exhibition and study of objects of scientific, artistic or historical interest, and
  • art gallery: building devoted to the exhibition of works of art; a collection of art for exhibition.

The constituent or governing documents of a public library, museum or art gallery must be consistent with its character. Also, an organisation's activities, acquisitions policy, staffing, advertising and membership will be relevant.

The ways an organisation collects, preserves, maintains and makes its collection available must be consistent with how a library, museum or art gallery operates.

EXAMPLE

A society owns a workshop. Its members use the workshop to restore and maintain their vintage cars. The society organises for members to display their cars to the public each month.

The society is not a museum. Its purpose and functions are different from those of a museum.

Possessing things that could form the collection of a public library, museum or art gallery is not sufficient.

EXAMPLE

An organisation owns and maintains a building that has architectural and historical significance. The building is opened for public tours twice a year, and the rest of the time it is used as offices.

The organisation does not use its building in the ways that a museum would use its collection. It is not a public museum.

Institution

A public library, museum or art gallery will be:

  • a separate legal entity, such as a corporation or trust, or
  • a part of a legal entity where that part has a separate institutional character.

For a part of an organisation to be a public library, museum or art gallery, it will be necessary that:

  • the affairs of the library, museum or art gallery are separate from the general affairs of the organisation
  • the public can readily distinguish the library, museum or art gallery from the rest of the organisation
  • the collection is readily identifiable to the public as the collection of a library, museum or art gallery
  • the accounts of the library, museum or art gallery are separate from those of the rest of the organisation, and
  • any gifts made to the library, museum or art gallery will only be used for library, museum or art gallery purposes.

EXAMPLE

A secondary school has a library for its students. It is housed in a separate part of the school, and has its own name, rules, committee, budget and accounts.

The school's library has a separate institutional character.

Organisations that are not public libraries, museums or art galleries

The following are examples of organisations that are not public libraries, museums or art galleries.

  • Business exhibits set up as part of promoting or carrying on a business.
  • Hobby associations and clubs that exist primarily to provide services and facilities for their members.
  • Support funds that provide money for public libraries, museums and art galleries. These funds might fall within the DGR category of ancillary funds (see 'Ancillary funds').
  • Support organisations such as 'Friends of' an art gallery or museum.
  • Urban preservation schemes that encourage preservation of buildings of historical and architectural significance.

Organisations that are not public libraries, museums or art galleries may fall within one of the other DGR categories in the DGR table. Start by checking the cultural organisations category.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to Taxation Ruling TR 2000/10 Income tax: public libraries, public museums and public art galleries.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

CHECKLIST: Public library, museum or art gallery

Consider the following questions when working out whether your organisation is a public library, museum or art gallery. They should be used in conjunction with the other information provided in the explanation of a public library, museum or art gallery.

  • Is your organisation an entity (such as a corporation or trust) or does it have a separate institutional character?
  • Is your organisation owned or controlled by a government or quasi-government authority, or by persons or an institution having a degree of responsibility to the public?
  • Does your organisation make its collection available to the public?
  • Do its constituent or governing documents clearly show that it is set up to be a library, museum or art gallery?
  • From your organisation's activities, do other people recognise it as a library, museum or art gallery?
  • Are these activities consistent with being a library, museum or art gallery?

Does your organisation meet all the requirements of the description of a public library, museum or art gallery?

YES

Go back to the DGR table to check the other conditions it must meet to be a DGR.

NO

Go back to the DGR table to check whether it falls within a different DGR category.

Ancillary Fund

The DGR category of ancillary fund covers funds with the following characteristics.

  • The fund is a public fund (See 'public fund').
  • It is established and maintained under a will or instrument of trust.
  • It is allowed, by the terms of the will or instrument of trust, to invest gift money only in ways that an Australian law allows trustees to invest trust money.
  • It is established and maintained solely for:
    • the purpose of providing money, property or benefits to DGRs, or
    • the establishment of DGRs.

An ancillary fund must not provide for, or establish, another ancillary fund or a prescribed private fund.

An ancillary fund must be exclusively for these purposes. It must not carry on any other activities. It is like a conduit or temporary repository for channelling gifts to other DGRs.

EXAMPLE

A public fund is set up to provide money to DGRs and to children with disabilities. It is not an ancillary fund as it is not solely for DGRs.

If a DGR is endorsed only for a fund, institution or authority that it operates (see 'Endorsement of an organisation for a fund, authority or institution it operates'), the ancillary fund will only be able to assist or establish such a fund, institution or authority. It must not assist or establish other parts of that DGR.

EXAMPLE

An ancillary fund receives requests for funding from a school. The school is a DGR for its school building fund. The ancillary fund will only be able to make distributions to the school's building fund.

If a gift condition applies to a particular DGR, the ancillary fund must provide money, property or benefits to it only for purposes allowed by the gift condition. The gift conditions for particular DGR categories are shown in the DGR table.

For example, the gift condition for an approved research institute in the DGR table states only gifts made for the purposes of scientific research in the field of natural or applied science are deductible. An ancillary fund can make distributions to an approved research institute but only if they are to be used for those purposes.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to Taxation Ruling TR 95/27 Income tax: public funds.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

Relevant materials to examine when working out whether your fund is an ancillary fund are: the trust deed or the will under which your fund was established, application forms for assistance, policies, advertising, and financial statements, as well as the fund's day-to-day activities.

CHECKLIST: Ancillary fund

Consider the following questions when working out whether your organisation is an ancillary fund. They should be used in conjunction with the other information provided in the explanation of an ancillary fund.

  • Is your organisation a public fund?
  • Was it established under a will or instrument of trust?
  • Does the will or instrument of trust allow the fund to invest gift money only in ways that an Australian law allows trustees to invest trust money?
  • Does the will or instrument of trust require the fund to only provide money, property or benefits to DGRs or to establish DGRs?
  • Does the fund act solely to carry out these purposes?
  • If the will or instrument of trust allows the fund to help DGRs that have gift conditions, can it only help them for purposes allowed by the gift conditions?

Does your fund meet all the requirements of the description of an ancillary fund?

YES

Go back to the DGR table to check the other conditions it must meet to be a DGR.

NO

Go back to the DGR table to check whether your organisation falls within a different DGR category.

If your organisation is not an ancillary fund merely because it is not a public fund, see 'Prescribed private funds' to check whether you may apply for your organisation to be a prescribed private fund.

DGRs - other conditions

Endorsed deductible gift recipients (DGRs) must meet all the other conditions as well as fall within a general DGR category. The only exception is ancillary funds which do not need to satisfy the In Australia condition.

DGRs listed by name are required to meet the In Australia and the Receipts conditions. The only exception is prescribed private funds which do not need to meet the In Australia condition.

This chapter explains the other conditions for DGRs:

  • In Australia - the organisation or the fund, authority or institution it operates, must be in Australia (except ancillary funds and prescribed private funds).
  • Endorsement - the organisation must have an ABN, maintain a gift fund, and apply to the tax office for endorsement.
  • Receipts - if a DGR issues a receipt for a gift, it must include certain information on the receipt.
  • Self-review - an endorsed DGR must tell the Tax Office if it ceases to be entitled to endorsement.

In Australia

The 'in Australia' condition applies to all deductible gift recipients (DGRs) (except ancillary funds and prescribed private funds). This means the organisation must be in Australia. If it is not in Australia, it cannot be a DGR.

FUNDS

If the DGR category is a fund (for example, a school building fund or necessitous circumstances fund), the fund itself must be established and operated in Australia.

EXAMPLE

A fund is set up in Turkey. Its controlling board, most of its assets and its donors are in Turkey. It sends money to Australia to help people who are in necessitous circumstances.

The fund is not 'in Australia'. It cannot be endorsed as a DGR.

For most funds, the purposes or beneficiaries of the fund must also be in Australia.

EXAMPLE

A fund is set up and operates in Australia. It makes its distributions for the construction of schools run by a religious institution in Europe.

The fund is not 'in Australia'. It cannot be endorsed as a DGR.

The purposes or beneficiaries of a fund do not have to be in Australia if the fund is in one of these DGR categories:

  • overseas aid funds
  • public funds on the Register of Environmental Organisations, or
  • DGRs listed by name in the income tax law if the government of the day (when they were listed) approved overseas purposes or beneficiaries.

For these funds, it is still necessary that the fund itself is established and operated in Australia.

INSTITUTIONS AND AUTHORITIES

DGR categories that are not funds are institutions or authorities. Examples are public benevolent institutions, public libraries and approved research institutes. For institutions and authorities to be in Australia, they must:

  • be established and operated in Australia (including control, activities and assets), and
  • have their purposes and beneficiaries in Australia.

EXAMPLE

A public museum is incorporated in New Zealand and has a branch in Australia.

It is not 'in Australia'. It cannot be endorsed as a DGR.

EXAMPLE

A public benevolent institution for the homeless is set up in Australia. It provides services in Australia and Thailand.

It is not 'in Australia'. It cannot be endorsed as a DGR.

If the overseas activities are merely incidental to its Australian operations, or minor in extent and importance, an institution or authority can still meet the 'in Australia' requirement.

EXAMPLE

A public benevolent institution is set up in Australia. Part of the treatment it provides involves travel to Canada.

The institution will be 'in Australia' if the Canadian travel is merely incidental to its treatment of Australians.

The purposes and beneficiaries of an institution or authority do not need to be confined to Australia if it is listed by name in the income tax law and the government of the day (when it was listed) approved overseas purposes or beneficiaries.

Endorsement

The 'endorsement' condition applies to all general deductible gift recipient (DGR) categories. If an organisation in a general DGR category is not endorsed, donors cannot claim income tax deductions for the gifts they make to it.

The pre-requisites to endorsement are that an organisation or a fund, authority or institution it operates, falls within a general DGR category and that it is in Australia (unless it is an ancillary fund).

To be endorsed, an organisation must:

  • have an Australian business number
  • maintain a gift fund, and
  • apply to the Tax Office for endorsement as a DGR.

There are two types of endorsement:

  • where an organisation falls within a DGR category, and
  • where a fund, authority or institution that is operated by an organisation falls within a DGR category.

Endorsement of an organisation in its own right

If an organisation falls within a DGR category in its own right, it is the organisation that can be endorsed. Organisations for these purposes include entities such as corporations, unincorporated associations, trusts, partnerships and government entities.

EXAMPLE

A particular corporation is a public benevolent institution. The corporation can be endorsed in its own right.

EXAMPLE

A public fund owned by a particular corporation is a necessitous circumstances fund. The fund is not an entity so it cannot be endorsed in its own right.

Endorsement of an organisation for a fund, authority or institution it operates

The second type of endorsement applies if a fund, authority or institution is part of an organisation. For this type of endorsement, it is the organisation that must be endorsed but it is only endorsed for the particular fund, authority or institution.

EXAMPLE

A public library is part of a school. The school is an entity. The school would apply for endorsement for its public library.

EXAMPLE

A corporation has a necessitous circumstances fund that is part of the corporation. The corporation can be endorsed, but only for its fund.

For this second type of endorsement, only gifts made to the fund, authority or institution can be deductible.

EXAMPLE

A local council is endorsed for a public library that it operates. Only gifts to the library would be deductible. Other gifts, for example gifts to the council for a neighbourhood project, would not be deductible.

If an organisation operates more than one fund, authority or institution, it will need a separate endorsement for each one.

EXAMPLE

A school that is an entity operates a public library and a school building fund. The school would need to be endorsed for the library and endorsed for the building fund.

This second type of endorsement does not apply if an organisation establishes another entity.

EXAMPLE

A service club that is an unincorporated association sets up a trust. The trust is a necessitous circumstances fund. Because the trust is an entity, it must be endorsed in its own right. The service club is not endorsed for the trust.

Australian Business Number

For an organisation to be endorsed as a DGR, it must have an Australian business number (ABN). If an organisation does not have an ABN, it cannot be endorsed.

For an organisation that is to be endorsed in its own right, it uses its own ABN.

If an organisation is seeking endorsement for a fund, authority or institution it operates, it uses its own ABN. There is no need for an extra ABN for endorsement of the fund, authority or institution.

If part of an organisation has an ABN as a non-profit sub-entity for GST purposes, that ABN cannot be used for DGR endorsement.

If your organisation has a parent body, you should check first whether to use their ABN or apply for your own.

You can apply for an ABN:

  • electronically through:
    • the Australian Business Register at www.abr.gov.au if all you want to do is apply for an ABN
    • the Business Entry Point (BEP) at www.business.gov.au where you can also attend to other government obligations
  • on a paper form, available by phoning the Tax Office on 13 28 66, or
  • through a tax agent, who will lodge your application using the electronic lodgment system.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to the following fact sheets:

To obtain these publications, see 'More information'.

Gift Fund

A pre-requisite for DGR endorsement is that the organisation maintains a gift fund. If the organisation is seeking endorsement in its own right, the gift fund must be for the organisation as such. If it is seeking endorsement for a fund, authority or institution it operates, the gift fund must be only for that fund, authority or institution.

A gift fund has these characteristics:

  • it is a fund
  • it is maintained for the principal purpose of the organisation or of the fund, authority or institution
  • all gifts, or deductible contributions, of money or property for that purpose are made to it
  • any money received by the organisation, because of such gifts, or deductible contributions, is credited to it
  • it does not receive any other money or property
  • the fund is used only for the principal purpose of the organisation or of the fund, authority or institution, and
  • the organisation is required - by a law, its constituent documents or governing rules - to transfer any surplus assets of the fund to another gift deductible fund, authority or institution when the fund is wound up or the DGR endorsement revoked, whichever occurs first.

See 'Contributions to DGRs' for an explanation of deductible contributions.

Setting up a gift fund

A gift fund should be set up as part of the organisation or of the fund, authority or institution. It may have its own rules or constitution, or they may be part of the governing documents of the organisation or of the fund, authority or institution.

The rules or governing documents should provide evidence of the gift fund's existence, name, purpose and operations.

If the DGR category is a fund (for example, a school building fund or necessitous circumstances fund) it must maintain a separate fund as its gift fund. However, this will not apply if the fund itself satisfies the gift fund requirements.

EXAMPLE

An ancillary fund only receives gifts. All gifts and earnings from them are passed on to DGRs. It has appropriate rules covering winding up and revoking of endorsement.

The ancillary fund itself meets the gift fund requirement. It does not need to set up a separate fund.

EXAMPLE

A necessitous circumstances fund receives gifts, deductible contributions, raffle proceeds and government grants. It cannot be a gift fund itself. It must set up a separate gift fund for the gifts and deductible contributions.

If an organisation operates more than one fund, authority or institution, it must maintain a separate gift fund for each. For example, a school operating a school building fund and a public library would need to maintain separate gift funds for each.

EXAMPLE

A school operates a school building fund and a public library. It maintains a fund that receives all gifts to the school. The school does not satisfy the gift fund requirement. It cannot be endorsed for either the building fund or the library. It would need to set up two separate gift funds.

A gift fund can receive either gifts or deductible contributions, or both. However, if a gift fund's rules permit the receipt of gifts only, and an organisation wants to receive deductible contributions, the gift fund rules must be amended to permit the receipt of deductible contributions to the fund.

Purpose of a gift fund

The gift fund must be maintained for the principal purpose of the organisation or of the fund, authority or institution.

EXAMPLE

A public benevolent institution operates a hostel and a detox centre through its two divisions. For each division, it has a donation fund to receive gifts only. Each donation fund then transfers the gifts to its division.

If the other requirements are met, the institution is maintaining a gift fund for its principal purpose. The operation of the donation funds - which together can be accepted as a fund - is for the principal purpose of the institution.

If the fund is operated only for some minor purpose, it will not satisfy the gift fund requirement.

EXAMPLE

An organisation sets up a fund for donations towards its annual staff picnic.

The fund is not for the principal purpose of the organisation and so cannot be a gift fund.

Operating a gift fund

Maintaining a gift fund entails banking money separately and specifically identifying items of property. The money and property of the gift fund must be clearly separate from that of the rest of the organisation and accounted for accordingly.

EXAMPLE

A public art gallery receives gifts, entrance fees and sale proceeds from its gallery gift shop. All amounts received at the gallery - gifts, fees and sales - are banked into its donation account. The gallery is not maintaining a gift fund.

Money or property received by a gift fund

The following amounts must be credited to a gift fund:

  • all gifts of money or property made for the principal purpose. This includes testamentary gifts (that is, gifts made under a will) and gifts that are not tax deductible for the donor. It also includes distributions from other charities or DGRs (if made for the principal purpose)
  • the whole amount of deductible contributions made to a fundraising event staged to raise funds for the principal purpose, and
  • money received because of these gifts and deductible contributions, including proceeds from the sale of gifted property, and investment returns from money or property that continues to be part of the gift fund.

Amounts that are not gifts or deductible contributions are not to be credited to a gift fund. They include:

  • receipts from sponsorships or commercial activities, and
  • proceeds of raffles, charity auctions, dinners and the like where the proceeds are not deductible contributions.

If money or property is incorrectly received, it is to be removed from the gift fund as soon as practicable, with the accounts adjusted and noted accordingly. The gift fund will need procedures to ensure only and all the proper amounts are credited to it.

Uses of a gift fund

The gift fund must only be used for the principal purpose of the organisation or of the fund, authority or institution.

Acceptable uses of a gift fund for the main purpose of the organisation or of the fund, authority or institution include:

  • transferring money or property to the organisation or to the fund, authority or institution for its current and continuing use
  • purchases of property or services for use by the organisation or the fund, authority or institution
  • reasonable costs of managing the gift fund (for example, bank charges, stationery, accounting and audit fees relating expressly to the gift fund)
  • professional fees for fundraising, and
  • investment, if it is consistent with carrying out the principal purpose of the organisation or of the fund, authority or institution.

EXAMPLE

When a public museum receives gifted artefacts for its collection, its gift fund identifies the artefact by recording its characteristics, its date of receipt and that it is being held by the museum as part of its collection. These activities show the gift fund is being used for the principal purpose of the museum.

EXAMPLE

The gift fund of a public benevolent institution pays leasing charges on cars the institution provides to its employees. This is an acceptable use of the gift fund.

Winding up a gift fund

An organisation must be required - by a law, its constituent documents or governing rules - to transfer any surplus assets of the fund to another gift deductible fund, authority or institution on the earlier of:

  • the fund being wound up, or
  • the DGR endorsement being revoked.

An acceptable provision in the constitution of an organisation seeking to be a DGR in its own right is:

Gift fund dissolution clause

'If the Gift Fund is wound up or if the endorsement (if any) of the organisation as a deductible gift recipient is revoked, any surplus assets of the Gift Fund remaining after the payment of liabilities attributable to it, shall be transferred to a fund, authority or institution to which income tax deductible gifts can be made.'

If an organisation is a DGR for more than one fund, authority or institution it operates, it may transfer the assets to another of its gift funds.

Organisations established by an Act of the Commonwealth Parliament which does not provide for the winding up or termination of the organisation do not have to meet this requirement.

Consequences of not maintaining a gift fund

If an organisation is not maintaining a gift fund, it cannot be endorsed as a DGR.

If an organisation that is endorsed as a DGR stops maintaining a gift fund, it ceases to be entitled to endorsement. The organisation must then notify the Tax Office so that the Tax Office can revoke the organisation's endorsement.

However, if the failure is merely an administrative error and not intentional, and is rectified in a short time, endorsement will not be withdrawn.

EXAMPLE

A public library ran a charity ball and banked all proceeds in the library's gift fund account. When preparing the treasurer's monthly report, the mistake was discovered. The money was immediately transferred to the library's general bank account. The rectification was noted in the gift fund's books.

The library's endorsement would not be revoked and it would not have to notify the Tax Office because it had a system that would identify errors, it rectified the deposit in a short time and noted the accounts.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to Taxation Ruling TR 2000/12 Income tax: deductible gift recipients - the gift fund requirement.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

Applying for Endorsement

You can apply to the Tax Office for endorsement if your organisation:

  • has an ABN (see 'Australian business number')
  • falls into a DGR general category or operates a fund, authority or institution that falls into a DGR general category (see 'Endorsed DGRs')
  • maintains a gift fund (see 'Gift fund'), and
  • is in Australia or its fund, authority or institution is in Australia, unless it is an ancillary fund (see 'In Australia').

The relevant application form is called an Application for endorsement as a deductible gift recipient (NAT 2948). If your organisation has an ABN, you can obtain a copy of this form by contacting the Tax Office on 1300 130 248.

If your organisation does not have an ABN, indicate on the ABN registration form that you want it to be endorsed as a DGR and you will automatically be sent an application form.

Do not send any supporting material with your application. If the Tax Office wants more information, we will contact you.

Applying for a fund, authority or institution your organisation operates

If you are applying for endorsement for a fund, authority or institution your organisation operates, the application will ask for details. This type of endorsement is discussed 'Endorsement of an organisation for a fund, authority or institution it operates'.

If there is more than one fund, authority or institution for which you want endorsement, use a separate application for each.

If you are seeking endorsement for your organisation and also for a fund, authority or institution it operates, use separate applications for the different endorsements.

EXAMPLE

A corporation that is a public benevolent institution is seeking endorsement for itself. It is also seeking endorsement for a public library it operates. It will lodge two separate applications.

When does endorsement start?

The application will ask you for the date from which you want your organisation to be endorsed.

The earliest possible date an organisation can be endorsed as a DGR is 1 July 2000. If your organisation became entitled to endorsement after that date it should use the date from which it is entitled. Donors can only claim income tax deductions for the gifts they make to your organisation from the date it is endorsed and while it is endorsed.

EXAMPLE

A public hospital in Australia has existed since 1 January 1991. It started to maintain a gift fund in April 2000. Its ABN is effective from 1 July 2000. Its date of endorsement will be 1 July 2000.

EXAMPLE

A public art gallery in Australia was established on 1 September 2004 and maintains a gift fund. As long as it has an ABN, it can apply for endorsement from 1 September 2004.

We will notify you in writing

Once the Tax Office has processed your application, we will send you written confirmation that:

  • your organisation is endorsed as a DGR, or
  • endorsement has been refused.

If your organisation is endorsed, donors can claim income tax deductions from the date the endorsement starts.

If there are delays in notifying you

If you believe the Tax Office is too slow in notifying you about whether your organisation is endorsed, you can have your application treated as if it had been refused. The deemed refusal will trigger formal review rights.

The earliest you can notify the Tax Office of your wish to have your organisation's application treated as if it had been refused is the later of:

  • the end of the 60th day after you made the application, or
  • the end of the 28th day after the last day on which you gave the Tax Office information or documentation it had asked for.

To have your application treated as if it had been refused, you must give the Tax Office written notice that you want it treated in that way. Your application will be deemed to be refused on the day you give such notice.

You then have a right to lodge an objection to the deemed refusal and have the decision reviewed.

Review rights

If endorsement is refused, the Tax Office will provide you with a clear explanation of our decision. At your request, we will review any of our decisions or actions affecting your organisation and try to resolve any problems quickly and informally. If you want us to do this, you should contact the person handling your case, or the Tax Office where the decision was made or where action was undertaken.

You also have the right under the law to ask the Tax Office for a review by lodging an objection against the refusal, or deemed refusal. Your objection must be:

  • in writing, signed and dated
  • lodged within 60 days of the date of notice of decision
    • although you may be granted an extension of time
  • addressed to the Tax Office, and
  • explain the grounds that you rely on.

This will enable us to consider all the facts when conducting the review.

We will advise you in writing of our decision on your objection and provide reasons for the decision.

If you are dissatisfied with our decision in relation to your objection, you may have the right to a review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal or you can appeal to the Federal Court. The Tax Office letter that accompanies the notice of decision on your objection will explain the steps you need to follow to exercise your rights of review or appeal.

Receipts

When a deductible gift recipient (DGR) gives a receipt for a tax deductible gift or contribution, the income tax law specifies the information that must be included on the receipt. This requirement applies not only to endorsed DGRs, but also to DGRs listed by name in the income tax law.

If an endorsed DGR does not provide the information below on its receipts, its endorsement may be revoked.

GIFTS

When a DGR issues a receipt for a deductible gift, the receipt must state:

  • the name of the fund, authority or institution to which the gift has been made
  • the DGR's ABN (if any - note: some DGRs listed by name might not have an ABN), and
  • the fact that the receipt is for a gift.

EXAMPLE

The ZXC School is an endorsed DGR for the school building fund it operates. The fund's name is the ZXC School Building Fund. For gifts to the fund, the receipt must show:

  • 'ZXC School Building Fund'
  • the ABN of ZXC School, and
  • that the receipt is for a gift.

Other information useful for donors includes:

  • the amount of money donated
  • a description of any gifts of property, and
  • the date of the gift.

DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS

When a DGR issues a receipt for a deductible contribution, the receipt must specify:

  • the name and ABN (if any - note: Some DGRs listed by name might not have an ABN) of the DGR
  • the fact that the contribution was made for:
    • a right to attend a specified fundraising event, or
    • the purchase of goods and services as a successful bidder at a fundraising auction.
  • the amount of the contribution (if money), and
  • the GST inclusive market value of the right or the goods or services received in return for the contribution

Other information useful for contributors includes:

  • the date the contribution was made, and
  • a description of the contribution if it was property.

See 'Contributions to DGRs' for and explanation of deductible contributions.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our publication Non-profit organisations and fundraising (NAT 13095).

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

Self-review

Endorsed deductible gift recipients (DGRs) must tell the Tax Office if they cease to be entitled to endorsement. Things that can affect entitlement are changes to purpose and operations, maintaining a gift fund, the 'in Australia' requirement and the receipts for gifts or deductible contributions your organisation issues. This obligation means you will need to carry out regular reviews of your organisation's status.

The law does not require any particular intervals between self-reviews, but the Tax Office recommends a yearly review. There should also be a review when there is a major change in your organisation's structure or operations.

To help you carry out a self-review, we have provided worksheets. See here. You will only need to complete the worksheet that applies to your organisation. It will take you through the essential points.

If you go through the worksheet and find your organisation is no longer entitled to endorsement, you must tell the Tax Office. You must do this before entitlement ceases or as soon as practicable afterwards. Failure to notify us of the loss of entitlement may result in prosecution. If your organisation ceases to be entitled because it ceases to have an ABN, you do not have to tell the Tax Office.

If you have gone through the worksheet and find your organisation is entitled, you do not have to contact the Tax Office and your organisation's status continues unchanged.

A log has also been included to give you a snapshot of the reviews you have carried out over the years. It will help future office-bearers of your organisation and will also help if the Tax Office conducts a review of your organisation's status.

TAX OFFICE REVIEW

As part of its general administration of tax laws, and to ensure only genuine entities or funds receive DGR concessions, the Tax Office carries out reviews of endorsed DGRs. The reviews help establish if DGRs are in fact entitled to endorsement.

The Tax Office may ask you to provide information and documents relevant to your organisation's entitlement to endorsement. While you must comply with this request, you will be given at least 28 days to provide the information and documents. Failure to comply can lead to endorsement being revoked, and to prosecution.

REVOKING ENDORSEMENT

The Tax Office can revoke a DGR's endorsement if:

  • it is not entitled to be endorsed
  • it has not provided information or documents within the specified time after a request by the Tax Office, or
  • it has not given the specified information on receipts for tax deductible gifts and contributions.

The Tax Office will provide written notice of the revocation. The revocation has effect from a date specified by the Tax Office and the date may be retrospective.

REVIEW OF REVOCATION

If you are dissatisfied with the revocation of your organisation's DGR endorsement, you can lodge an objection against the revocation. You must do this in writing to the Tax Office, giving the grounds for the objection.

Worksheet 1 - Review of a DGR endorsed in its own right

This worksheet will help you work out whether you organisation is still entitled to endorsement as a deductible gift recipient (DGR).

Endorsed DGRs must tell the Tax Office if they stop being entitled to endorsement. Things that can affect your organisation's entitlement are: changes to purpose and operations, the gift fund, the 'in Australia' requirement, and the gift or deductible contribution receipts the organisation issue. You should self-review each year and whenever there is a major change in your structure or operations.

Do not write on the original worksheet - keep it as a template so you can make copies whenever you carry out a self-review.

WHO SHOULD USE THIS WORKSHEET?

  • Use this worksheet if your organisation has been endorsed in your own right as a DGR.
  • Do not use this worksheet if your organisation has been endorsed as a DGR for a fund, authority or institution that it operates. These organisations should use Worksheet 2. For example, a school that has been endorsed for a school building fund that it operates will use Worksheet 2.

What you will need

WORKSHEET 1

1. Full name of your organisation

 

2. Australian business number (ABN)

 

3. Period of review

 

to

 

4. Reason for review

 

Annual review

 

Change in circumstances

 

Other (please specify)

5. Tax Office notice of endorsement

Date of endorsement

 

DGR category

 

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS NUMBER (ABN)

6. Is your organisation's ABN still current?

Yes

Go to question 7.

Your organisation must have a current ABN to be entitled to endorsement as a DGR.

You can check your organisation's ABN by searching the Australian Business Register internet site at www.abr.business.gov.au or by phoning the Tax Office on 1300 130 248. If your organisation's ABN has been cancelled, you will have received written notification.

No

Your organisation is no longer entitled to be endorsed as a DGR. The Tax Office will notify you that endorsement has been revoked.

Notes:

 
 
 
 
 

DGR CATEGORY

7. Does your organisation still fall within the general DGR category for which it was endorsed?

Yes

Go to question 8.

The category for which your organisation was endorsed is shown on the notice of DGR endorsement.

Check that your organisation still falls within the category's description given in the DGR table. If the table sends you to an explanation of terms, check that your organisation still satisfies the description in the explanation.

If your organisation no longer falls within the general DGR category for which it was endorsed, it might still fall within another category. Check the other DGR categories in the table. If your organisation does satisfy the description in another DGR category, write to the Tax Office.

No

Your organisation is no longer entitled to endorsement. You must tell the Tax Office, in writing, that it ceased to be entitled to DGR endorsement and give the date it ceased to fall within a DGR category.

Notes:

 
 
 
 
 

GIFT FUND

8. Is your organisation maintaining a gift fund?

Yes

Go to question 9.

Your organisation must maintain a gift fund to receive gifts or deductible contributions made for its principal purpose. For any period your organisation is not maintaining a gift fund, it is not entitled to DGR endorsement.

The gift fund requirement is explained in GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors. Check that your organisation continues to meet this requirement.

Briefly, a gift fund is a fund with these features:

  • it is a fund
  • it is maintained for the organisations principal purpose
  • all gifts, or deductible contributions, of money or property for that purpose are made to it
  • any money the organisation receives because of such gifts, or deductible contributions, is credited to it
  • it does not receive any other money or property
  • it is used only for the organisation's principal purpose, and
  • the organisation is required - by a law, its constituent documents or governing rules - to transfer any surplus assets of the fund to another gift deductible fund, authority or institution when the fund is wound up or the DGR endorsement is revoked, whichever occurs first.

No

Your organisation is not entitled to DGR endorsement for the period it was not maintaining a gift fund. You must tell the Tax Office in writing so your organisation's endorsement can be revoked for that period.

Notes:

 
 
 
 
 

IN AUSTRALIA

9. Is your organisation in Australia?

Yes

Go to question 10.

All endorsed DGRs (except ancillary funds) must be in Australia. If your organisation's DGR category is ancillary fund, answer 'Not applicable'.

The 'in Australia' requirement is explained in GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors.

Briefly, your organisation will be in Australia if:

  • it is established and operated in Australia, and
  • its purposes and beneficiaries are in Australia.

For exceptions to these conditions, see GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors.

No

Your organisation is not entitled to be endorsed for the period it was not in Australia. You must tell the Tax Office in writing so that your organisation's endorsement can be revoked.

Not applicable

Go to question 10.

Notes:

 
 
 
 
 

RECEIPTS

10. Has your organisation correctly issued receipts for gifts and deductible contributions it has received?

Yes

Your organisation has met all requirements to continue as an endorsed DGR. You do not need to contact the Tax Office. Continue to carry out periodic self-reviews.

If an endorsed DGR issues receipts for tax deductible gifts or contributions, particular information must be provided on them.

The receipts must specify:

  • the name and ABN of the DGR, and
  • if the receipt is for a gift, the fact it is a receipt for a gift, or
  • if the receipt is for a deductible contribution:
    • the fact that it is a receipt for a deductible contribution
    • that the contribution was made for a right to attend a fundraising event, or for the purchase of goods and services as a successful bidder at a fundraising auction
    • the amount of the contribution (if money), and
    • the GST inclusive value of the right or of the goods and services.

Further information on receipts is provided in GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors.

No

Your organisation must ensure that gift and deductible contribution receipts contain the required information. Take immediate steps so this problem does not arise again. If you do not, the endorsement may be revoked.

Notes:

 
 
 
 
 

Once you have completed this worksheet you should:

  • sign it off and keep it with your organisation's other records, and
  • make an entry in the 'Log of status reviews'

Name of person carrying out review

 

Position held

 

Signature

 

Date

 

Approval by Board/Committee/Trustee

 

DO NOT SEND THIS FORM TO THE TAX OFFICE - KEEP IT WITH YOUR RECORDS

Worksheet 2 - Review of a DGR endorsed for a Fund, Authority or Institution it operates

This worksheet will help you work out whether your organisation is still entitled to endorsement as a DGR.

Endorsed DGRs must tell the Tax Office if they stop being entitled to endorsement. Things that can affect your organisation's entitlement are: changes to purpose and operations, the gift fund, the 'in Australia' requirement, and the gift or deductible contribution receipts your organisation issues. You should self-review each year and whenever there is a major change in structure or operations.

'Organisation' is the corporation, trust, unincorporated association, or government entity that has been endorsed.

'Fund, authority or institution' is the part of the organisation that can receive tax deductible gifts.

If an organisation has been endorsed separately for two or more funds, authorities or institutions, it should carry out a separate review for each of them. For example, if a school is endorsed for a school building fund and a public library that is part of the school, there should be a separate review for each.

WHO SHOULD USE THIS WORKSHEET?

  • Use this worksheet if your organisation's DGR endorsement applies only to a fund, authority or institution your organisation operates. For example, a school that has been endorsed for a school building fund it operates will use this worksheet.
  • Do not use this worksheet if your organisation has been endorsed in its own right: that is, if the whole of the organisation falls within a DGR category, use Worksheet 1.

What you will need

Do not write on the original worksheet - keep it as a template so you can make copies whenever you carry out a self-review.

WORKSHEET 2

1. Full name of your organisation

 

2. Australian business number (ABN)

 

3. Name of the fund, authority or institution for which your organisation is endorsed

 

4. Period of review

 

to

 

5. Reason for review

 

Annual review

 

Change in circumstances

 

Other (please specify)

6. Tax Office notice of endorsement

Date of endorsement

 

DGR category

 

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS NUMBER (ABN)

7. Is your organisation's ABN still current?

Yes

Go to question 8.

The organisation must have a current ABN to be entitled to endorsement as a DGR.

You can check your organisation's ABN by searching the Australian Business Register (ABR) internet site at www.abr.business.gov.au or by phoning the Tax Office on 1300 130 248. If your organisation's ABN has been cancelled, it will have received written notification.

No

Your organisation is no longer entitled to be endorsed as a DGR. The Tax Office will notify you that endorsement has been revoked.

Notes:

 
 
 
 
 

DGR CATEGORY

8. Does your organisation's fund, authority or institution still fall within the DGR category for which it is endorsed?

Yes

Go to question 9.

The general DGR category under which your organisation's fund, authority or institution falls is shown on its notice of DGR endorsement.

Check that your organisation's fund, authority or institution still falls within the description of the DGR category given in the DGR table in GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors. If the DGR table sends you to an explanation of terms, check that it still satisfies the description in the explanation.

If it no longer falls within the DGR category shown on the endorsement notice, it might still fall within another category. Check the other DGR categories in the DGR table. If it does satisfy the description in another DGR category, write to the Tax Office.

No

Your organisation is no longer entitled to DGR endorsement for this fund, authority or institution. You must tell the Tax Office in writing that it has ceased to be entitled and give the date that the fund, authority or institution ceased to fall within a DGR category.

Notes:

 
 
 
 
 

GIFT FUND

9. Is your organisation maintaining a gift fund for the fund, authority or institution?

Yes

Go to question 10.

A gift fund must be maintained to receive gifts or deductible contributions made to the fund, authority or institution for its principal purpose.

For any period that a gift fund is not maintained, there is no entitlement to DGR endorsement.

The gift fund requirement is explained in GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors. Check that your organisation continues to meet this requirement.

Briefly, a gift fund is a fund with these features:

  • it is a fund
  • it is maintained for the principal purpose of the fund, authority or institution
  • all gifts or deductible contributions, of money or property for that purpose are made to it
  • any money received because of such gifts or deductible contributions is credited to it
  • it does not receive any other money or property
  • it is used only for the principal purpose, and
  • your organisation is required - by a law, its constituent documents or governing rules - to transfer any surplus assets of the fund to another gift deductible fund, authority or institution when the fund is wound up or the DGR endorsement is revoked, whichever occurs first.

No

There is no entitlement to DGR endorsement for the period a gift fund was not maintained. You must tell the Tax Office in writing so the endorsement can be revoked for that period

Notes:

 
 
 
 
 

IN AUSTRALIA

10. Is your fund, authority or institution in Australia?

Yes

Go to question 11.

All funds, authorities or institutions (except ancillary funds) must be in Australia.

The 'in Australia' requirement is explained in GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors.

Briefly, your fund, authority or institution will be in Australia if:

  • it is established and operated in Australia, and
  • its purposes and beneficiaries are in Australia.

For exceptions to these conditions, see GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors.

No

There is no entitlement to be endorsed for the period the fund, authority or institution was not in Australia. You must tell the Tax Office in writing so that endorsement can be revoked.

Notes:

 
 
 
 
 

RECEIPTS

11. Has your organisation correctly issued receipts for gifts and contributions it has received?

Yes

All requirements to continue endorsement have been met. You do not need to contact the Tax Office. Continue to carry out periodic self-reviews.

If an endorsed DGR issues receipts for tax deductible gifts or contributions, particular information must be provided on them.

The receipts must specify:

  • the name of the fund, authority or institution and the ABN of the DGR, and
  • if the receipt is for a gift, the fact it is a receipt for a gift, or
  • if the receipt is for a deductible contribution:
    • the fact that it is a receipt for a deductible contribution
    • the fundraising event and that the contribution was made for a right to attend it, or for the purchase of goods and services as a successful bidder at a fundraising auction
    • the amount of the contribution (if money), and
    • the GST inclusive value of the right or of the goods and services.

Further information on receipts is provided in GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors.

No

You must ensure that gift and deductible contribution receipts contain the required information. Take immediate steps so this problem does not arise again. If you do not, the endorsement may be revoked.

Notes:

 
 
 
 
 

Once you have completed this worksheet you should:

  • sign it off and keep it with your organisation's other records, and
  • make an entry in the 'Log of status reviews'.

Name of person carrying out review

 

Position held

 

Signature

 

Date

 

Approval by Board/Committee/Trustee

 

DO NOT SEND THIS FORM TO THE TAX OFFICE - KEEP IT WITH YOUR RECORDS

DGRs listed by name

The majority of deductible gift recipients (DGRs) are endorsed by the Tax Office.

If an organisation wants to receive tax deductible gifts it should firstly consider whether it can be endorsed by the Tax Office as a DGR. See 'Endorsed DGRs'.

This chapter explains DGRs listed by name in the tax law. They are:

  • prescribed private funds listed by name in the Income Tax Regulations 1997, and
  • other DGRs listed by name in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

Prescribed private funds

A prescribed private fund is a fund listed by name in the Income Tax Assessment Regulations 1997 as a prescribed private fund, but does not include any fund declared by the Treasurer, in writing, not to be a prescribed fund.

A list of these deductible gift recipients (DGRs) is set out in the fact sheet Deductible gift recipients listed by name in the tax law (NAT 8443). They can also be searched on the Australian Business Register at www.abr.business.gov.au

Prescribed private funds are established by businesses, families and individuals for philanthropic purposes and need not seek contributions from the public. Distributions from the fund may only go to DGRs that are not ancillary funds or other prescribed private funds. Ancillary funds are explained here.

The application process and the requirements to establish a fund are set out in the Guidelines for Prescribed Private Funds. These guidelines include a model trust deed.

GUIDELINES FOR PRESCRIBED PRIVATE FUNDS

The Guidelines for Prescribed Private Funds specify three sets of requirements. They are:

  • the fund must be established under a will or instrument of trust solely for the purpose of providing money, property or benefits to DGRs or towards establishing DGRs
  • the fund must meet the public fund requirements (see 'Public fund') without the need to invite donations from the public or the requirement for certain public participation in its administration, and
  • the fund must meet the requirements of the integrity assurance measures mentioned in the guidelines.

Prescribed private funds can only provide for the benefit of DGRs (except ancillary funds and other prescribed private funds).

The integrity assurance measures are as follows.

  • The controlling body of the fund must include at least one person who is a responsible person as defined in the Model Trust Deed. That is, a person who has a general responsibility to the community. This person must not be associated with the founder or major donor in anything other than a professional capacity.
  • The fund must be audited.
  • The founding documents must prohibit the making of any benefit to the trustee, the donor/founder or to any associate. The guidelines list distributions that the founding documents must prohibit.
  • The founding documents of the fund may allow accumulation of income (not including donations, gifts, government grants, and other voluntary transfers of property) to an extent which maintains the real value of the capital of the fund. Where your organisation is contemplating an accumulation of income beyond this amount, you must provide the Tax Office with a plan and rationale.

APPLICATIONS

Applications are made to government but must first be lodged with the Tax Office. The Tax Office reviews the application and forwards valid applications to government for consideration.

Applications must be made in writing and include all information set out in the Guidelines for Prescribed Private Funds.

ANNUAL INFORMATION RETURNS

Prescribed private funds are required to provide an annual information return. The return requires funds to supply information on:

  • donations received and distributed
  • income of the fund
  • expenses of operation, and
  • net worth of the fund.

RECEIPTS

When a prescribed private fund issues a receipt for a tax deductible gift or a deductible contribution, certain details must be provided on the receipt. See 'Receipts'.

GIFTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Prescribed private funds can receive tax deductible gifts of money or property covered by one of the following gift types:

  • $2 or more: money
  • property >$5,000: property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5,000
  • property <12 months: property purchased during the 12 months before the gift was made
  • trading stock: trading stock disposed of outside the ordinary course of business

These gift types are explained in detail in 'Gift types'.

Certain contributions made to prescribed private funds for fundraising events such as fundraising dinners and charity auctions may be tax deductible. See 'Contributions to DGRs'.

A prescribed private fund can only receive deductible gifts or deductible contributions on and from the date, or for the period, that it is declared as a prescribed private fund.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to the web only products:

Other DGRs listed by name

Deductible gift recipients (DGRs) listed by name in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 include organisations such as the Industrial Design Council of Australia and the Australian Sports Foundation.

A list of these DGRs is set out in the fact sheet Deductible gift recipients listed by name in the tax law. Donors may also find out if an organisation is a DGR (provided it has an ABN) by searching the Australian Business Register at www.abr.business.gov.au

DGRs listed by name are not required to have an Australian business number (ABN) for gift deductibility purposes. However, most will have an ABN for other purposes.

These DGRs must be in Australia. See 'In Australia'.

When a DGR listed by name in the tax law issues a receipt for a tax deductible gift or a deductible contribution, certain details must be provided on the receipt. See 'Receipts'.

The types of gifts that can be received by these DGRs are explained in 'Gift types'.

Certain contributions made to other DGRs listed by name for fundraising events such as fundraising dinners and charity auctions may be tax deductible. See 'Contributions to DGRs'.

For some listed by name DGRs, the income tax law adds further conditions relating to the gifts they can receive. For example, gifts may only be tax deductible between certain dates or for a particular purpose.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to the web only product:

Donors and gifts

Deductions for gifts are claimed by the person or organisation that makes the gift (the donor).

A donor can be an individual, company, trust or other type of taxpayer.

This chapter explains:

  • the requirement for a gift to be tax deductible
  • who can claim a deduction
  • how much can be claimed
  • when can a gift deduction be claimed
  • what records donors need to keep, and
  • other income tax consequences of making a gift.

Requirements for a gift to be tax deductible

For a donor to claim a deduction for a gift, there are several requirements:

  • the gift must be made to a deductible gift recipient (DGR)
  • the payment must really be a gift
  • the gift must be of money or property that is covered by one of the gift types, and
  • any gift conditions must be satisfied.

EXAMPLE

Colin voluntarily gives $70 cash during 2004-05 to a school building fund that is a DGR. Colin can claim an income tax deduction for $70 because:

  • it is made to a DGR
  • the payment is a gift
  • a payment of money falls within one of the gift types, and
  • there are no gift conditions for school building funds.

Colin makes his claim when he lodges his tax return for 2004-05.

The deduction for a gift cannot add to or create a tax loss. See 'Gifts and tax losses'.

GIFTS TO DGRs

Only gifts made to deductible gift recipients (DGRs) are tax deductible.

You can check that the recipient is a DGR by:

  • visiting the Australian Business Register website at www.abr.business.gov.au, or
  • phoning the Tax Office on 13 28 61.

The types of DGRs are reviewed in 'Deductible gift recipients (DGRs)'.

For some DGRs, gifts will only be deductible if made to some part of the DGR.

EXAMPLE

A local government council is endorsed as a DGR only for its library. Only gifts made to the library will be tax deductible. Gifts made to the council's neighbourhood program, for example, will not be deductible.

EXAMPLE

A school is endorsed as a DGR only for its school building fund. Only gifts made to the school building fund will be tax deductible. Gifts made to the school's sports teams, for example, will not be deductible.

Where an organisation conducts an appeal for more than one purpose (and not all the purposes are for the benefit of DGRs), donors must pledge the extent to which their gifts are to be applied to a DGR.

A pledge is made in writing (for example, on the contribution envelope or a pledge form) to the fundraising body specifying the name of the DGR and the amount or percentage of the total to be applied to the DGR. The deduction is the amount of the actual gift to the DGR.

Alternatively, the terms of the appeal may state the proportion to be applied to the DGR. The tax deductible donation is limited to that proportion of the gift.

Workplace giving programs

Gifts to DGRs may be organised through workplace giving programs. If a portion of an employee's pay is donated to a DGR through regular payroll deductions, the employer may reduce the gross salary by the gift amount when calculating the PAYG amount it withholds from that employee's pay. This may give the employee the benefit of the reduced tax for their donation immediately in their pay.

Where the PAYG withholding amount is reduced because of a gift made through a workplace giving program, the total pay on the employee's payment summary is not reduced by the amount of the gift. This means the employee must claim a deduction for the gift in their annual tax return so that the correct tax can be calculated.

For their records, employees may use confirmation by the employer of the amount donated to DGRs on:

  • the employee's payment summary, or
  • other written or electronic communication from the employer to the employee.

The confirmation must identify the DGR to whom the gift has been made or state that all of the gifts are being made to DGRs where there is insufficient space to identify the DGRs (for example on a payment summary).

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to ATO Practice Statement Law Administration Statement PSLA 2002/15.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

WHAT IS A GIFT?

Gifts have the following characteristics:

  • there is a transfer of money or property
  • the transfer is made voluntarily
  • the transfer arises by way of benefaction, and
  • no material benefit or advantage is received by the donor.

Not all payments to DGRs are gifts. For example, the following payments are not gifts:

  • purchases of raffle or art union tickets
  • purchases of chocolates, pens etc
  • the cost of attending fundraising dinners, even if the cost exceeds the value of the dinner
  • membership fees
  • payments to school building funds as an alternative to an increase in school fees, and
  • payments where the person has an understanding with the recipient that the payments will be used to provide a benefit for the 'donor'.

EXAMPLE

Sally buys a clock at a charity auction. This is not a gift even if Sally has paid a lot more than the value of the clock.

EXAMPLE

William attends a Christmas concert. He buys his admission ticket for $10. On the night, he also makes a voluntary donation of $70. The $70 is a gift but the $10 is not.

To be a gift there has to be a transfer of money or property.

EXAMPLE

On a telethon Theodora calls a DGR to say she will give $500. She later forgets about it and never in fact gives anything to the DGR. Theodora has not made a gift as she has not transferred the $500 to the DGR.

There is no deduction for the gift of a service, as no money or property is transferred to the DGR.

Examples of amounts that are not deductible include a volunteer's expenses in carrying out the voluntary work, and the value of unpaid work.

EXAMPLE

Alessandra does volunteer work for a DGR caring for sick children. She buys toys and gives them to the children. Alessandra can't claim a deduction because she has not made a gift of property to the DGR itself.

If property is transferred to a DGR as part of providing a service, a deduction may be allowed in relation to the property. The property has to be actually transferred to the DGR.

EXAMPLE

John offers to repair a timber fence around a DGR's premises and supply the timber for the job. John's car expenses to collect the timber are not deductible as a gift. They are part of supplying the service.

However, the timber may be deductible as a gift if it falls within one of the gift types.

An acknowledgment that a recipient makes in appreciation of a payment can be consistent with the payment being a gift.

EXAMPLE

Clare receives a lapel badge for her donation to a DGR. This is not a material benefit and the donation is a gift.

Other acceptable forms of acknowledgment include stickers, mention in a newsletter or periodical, and plaques if they are of small cost and prominence.

However, enlarging the acknowledgment into forms of advertising would prevent the payment being a gift.

Although there is no gift deduction, businesses may be entitled to claim income tax deductions for such payments as advertising costs. See 'Other deductions'.

There is no gift deduction where a person enters into an arrangement in relation to the making of a gift and

  • the value of the gift to the DGR is, or would be expected to be, less than the value of the gift at the time the gift was made
  • any other organisation makes, or may reasonably be expected to make, payments to other persons in relation to the gift
  • the donor or an associate obtains, or would be expected to obtain, any benefit other than the benefit of a tax saving, or
  • the DGR or another fund, authority or institution is to acquire property from the donor or an associate.

GIFT TYPES

To be deductible, a gift must be of money or property that is covered by one of the gift types. See 'Gift types'.

Different gift types apply for different types of DGRs. The DGR table gives the gift types for each general DGR category.

EXAMPLE

Jill wants to know if she can claim a deduction for a painting she is giving to a public benevolent institution that is a DGR.

The gift types for public benevolent institutions are listed in the DGR table. They are '$2 or more', 'property >$5,000', 'property<12 months', and 'trading stock'.

Jill can only claim a deduction if the painting falls within one or more of these gift types.

The different gift types also affect how much can be claimed as a deduction.

EXAMPLE

Jeremy gave some timber to a public hospital that is a DGR. He bought it six months before he made the gift. His gift is covered by the gift type 'property <12 months'.

The valuation for that gift type is the lesser of the market value of the timber on the day Jeremy made the gift, and the amount he paid for the timber.

If the market value was $350 and the amount paid was $400, Jeremy would claim $350 (provided it does not add to or create a tax loss).

In some situations, a gift may fall within more than one of the gift types. Donors may use the gift type that is most appropriate.

GIFT CONDITIONS

For some DGRs, the law adds extra conditions affecting the types of deductible gifts they can receive. The gift may only be tax deductible:

  • between certain dates, or
  • for a specific use.

EXAMPLE

Gifts to a DGR that is an approved research institute will only be tax deductible if they are made for the purposes of scientific research in the field of natural or applied science.

A gift for use by the institute for some other purpose is not a deductible gift as it has not been made for the specific purpose required by the gift condition.

The gift conditions for the general DGR categories are set out in the DGR table. Many categories of DGR have no gift conditions.

Who can claim a deduction?

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

Donors can claim deductions for most gifts they make to deductible gift recipients (DGRs). When a donor makes a tax deductible gift, it reduces the donor's taxable income.

EXAMPLE

Colin's only income in his tax return for 2004-05 is a salary of $35,000. He has given $70 to a school building fund that is a DGR. This is the only deduction he claims when lodging his income tax return. His taxable income is therefore $34,930 (that is, $35,000 minus $70).

Donors who have made tax deductible gifts need to know:

  • how much they can claim
  • when they can claim deductions
  • what records they need to keep, and
  • other income tax consequences of making gifts.

How much can be claimed?

The amount of the deduction depends on the type of gift. For gifts of money, it is the amount of the gift. For gifts of property, there are various valuation rules. They are explained for the different gift types in 'Gift types'.

JOINTLY OWNED PROPERTY

When jointly owned property is gifted, the deduction to each owner is determined on a reasonable basis, having regard to each owner's interest in the property.

EXAMPLE

John and Miranda donate property to a DGR that is a public museum. The property value is $100,000. They own it in the proportions 25% and 75%.

John can claim $25,000 and Miranda $75,000 (or less if the claim would add to or create a tax loss).

GIFTS AND TAX LOSSES

A deduction for a gift cannot add to or create a tax loss for the donor.

EXAMPLE

Dominic's assessable income in his tax return for 2004-05 is $15,000. He has donated $20,000 to a DGR during that year. He has no other income or deductions in his tax return.

The tax deduction he can claim for his gift is limited to $15,000. This is because a deductible gift cannot add to or create a tax loss.

Dominic's taxable income therefore becomes nil and the excess $5,000 from his gift cannot be carried forward to a later tax return as a tax loss.

However, donors can elect to spread deductions for certain gifts over a period of up to five years. See 'Spreading tax deductions for gifts'.

When can a gift deduction be claimed?

A tax deduction for most gifts is claimed in the tax return for the income year in which the gift is made.

EXAMPLE

Harry gives a cash gift to a DGR on 7 August 2004. Harry will claim the deduction in his income tax return for 2004-05.

SPREADING TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR GIFTS

Whilst a gift cannot add to or create a tax loss, a donor may make a written election to spread the tax deduction for a gift over a period of up to five years if the gift was:

  • $2 or more: money
  • property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5,000
  • cultural gifts: property under the Cultural Gifts Program, and
  • heritage gifts: a place included in the National Heritage List, the Commonwealth Heritage List or the Register of the National Estate.

The election must be in the approved form and be made prior to lodging the income tax return for the year in which the gift was made.

The election must commence in the year in which the gift was made and continue for a period of up to four of the years immediately following.

The election must contain the percentage to be claimed in each year. The percentage for each year does not need to be the same, but the total percentage over the years cannot exceed 100%.

EXAMPLE

In 2004-05, Rochelle donates a vehicle to a DGR. The vehicle is valued by the Commissioner at $7,000. Rochelle decides to spread the deduction over the five income years available for the apportionment. The first income year in which she can claim a portion of the deduction is 2004-05. Rochelle decides to apportion her deduction for the donation of the vehicle in the following manner:

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

10%

30%

20%

20%

20%

She makes a written record of the election before lodging her 2004-05 tax return.

The donor may make a written variation to any percentage to be claimed for tax returns that have not been lodged. The variation must be in an approved form and be made prior to lodging the first tax return to which the variation applies.

EXAMPLE

Sarah donates a painting under the Cultural Gifts Program to an art gallery in April 2005. The first income year in which she can claim a portion of the deduction is 2004-05. She elects to apportion her deduction as follows:

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

50%

15%

15%

10%

10%

She sends her copy of the election to the Arts Secretary before lodging her income tax return for 2004-05.

In July 2007, she decides to claim the rest of her deduction in her 2006-07 tax return. Before she lodges that return, she must send a copy of the variation to DCITA indicating the new apportionment as follows:

2007

2008

2009

35%

0%

0%

Approved forms for elections and variations vary depending on the gift and the DGR that receives it.

Donors should obtain an election form as outlined in the following table. A copy of the completed election or variation must be sent to the relevant Department before lodging the first return to which it applies.

Making elections to spread gift deductions

Type of gift

made on or after 1 July

Where to obtain forms and return completed copy

$2 or more

2003

Donors can use the form in TaxPack and keep it with their records.

Property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5000 to heritage or environmental DGRs

1999

Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH)

Property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5000 to other DGRs

2002

Donors can use the form in TaxPack and keep it with their records.

Cultural gifts

1999

Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA)

Heritage gifts

1999

Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH)

Contact details:

DCITA

Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

GPO Box 2154, CANBERRA ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6271 1643

Fax: (02) 6271 1697

Email: cgp.mail@dcita.gov.au

Website: www.dcita.gov.au/arts/arts

DEH

The Administrator

Register of Environmental Organisations

Department of Environment and Heritage

GPO Box 787, CANBERRA ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6274 2422

Fax: (02) 6274 1650

Email: reo@deh.gov.au

Website: www.deh.gov.au

MORE INFORMATION

Donors should refer to TaxPack for information on how gifts can be claimed in the tax return for the year in which the gift was made.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

What records are required?

Donors should keep records of all their deductible gifts to help prepare their tax returns and as evidence if their claims are checked by the Tax Office.

Deductible gift recipients (DGRs) are not required by tax law to issue receipts for deductible gifts, but if they do the receipt must specify:

  • that the receipt is for a gift
  • the name of the fund, authority or institution receiving the gift, and
  • the DGR's ABN (if any - note: Some DGRs listed by name might not have an ABN).

Other useful information for donors is:

  • the date the gift was made
  • the amount of the gift if it was money, and
  • a description of the gift if it was property.

When property has been gifted, donors may need to keep the date of acquisition, the amount paid for the property and any valuations.

Where a donor has elected to spread the tax deduction for a gift over a period of up to five years, elections and any variations to elections should also be kept.

Employees who have made a gift to a DGR under a workplace giving program should keep their payment summary or other confirmation provided by their employer or the DGR stating that the gift was made.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our publication Non-profit organisations and fundraising (NAT 13095) for more information on the records donors should keep.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

Other income tax matters

COSTS OF OBTAINING VALUATIONS

Valuation expenses incurred by a donor are tax deductible if the valuation is made solely to determine the market value of a deductible gift so a gift deduction can be claimed.

The valuation expense is claimed in the tax return for the year when the expense is incurred. TaxPack explains how the expense can be claimed.

OTHER DEDUCTIONS

Advertising and sponsorship expenses that are not, in fact, gifts may be tax deductible if they are incurred in deriving assessable income.

EXAMPLE

A company makes payments to a deductible gift recipient (DGR) to place its advertisements on the DGR's premises.

The payments are not gifts. However, if they are incurred to promote the company's business, they may be tax deductible.

DECLINE IN VALUE

If a donor gifts property on which a decline in value (formerly called depreciation) has been claimed as a tax deduction, there may be a consequential adjustment for income tax.

Such a balancing adjustment may either increase or decrease the donor's taxable income.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our publication Guide to depreciating assets (NAT 1996).

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

TRADING STOCK

For trading stock disposed of as a gift outside the ordinary course of business, the stock's market value is normally included in the donor's assessable income.

CAPITAL GAINS

When property is gifted, there may be capital gains tax consequences.

EXAMPLE

Conrad makes a deductible gift of property to a DGR. He bought it for $70,000 and its value at the time of the gift was $80,000. As the making of a gift can fall within the capital gains tax provisions, Conrad may have a capital gain of $10,000 with an amount being included in his taxable income (depending on his circumstances and ignoring the effect of indexation and other capital gains tax rules).

This could leave a deduction of $80,000 for the gift and an amount of capital gain included in his assessable income.

The following gifts of property are exempt from capital gains tax:

  • a testamentary gift that would have been tax deductible if it had not been a testamentary gift (a testamentary gift is a gift made under a will)
  • 'cultural gifts', and
  • 'cultural bequests'.

Many personal use assets are also exempt.

The government has announced changes to the capital gains treatment of testamentary gifts of property. See 'Proposed changes'.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our publication Guide to capital gains tax (NAT 4151).

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

Deductions for contributions made at DGR fundraising events, contributions to registered political parties, and tax concessions for conservation covenants are explained in 'Contributions and conservation covenants'.

Gift types

To be tax deductible, a gift must be money or property covered by one of the gift types described in this chapter.

This chapter explains, for each gift type:

  • what the gift type covers
  • who can receive it, and
  • valuation issues.

What types of gifts are tax deductible?

To be tax deductible, a gift must be covered by one or more of the following gift types.

Gift type

Explanation of gift type

$2 or more - money

See '$2 or more'.

Property > $5,000 - property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5,000.

See 'Property > $5,000'.

Property < 12 months - property purchased during the 12 months before the gift was made.

See 'Property < 12 months'.

Trading stock - trading stock disposed of outside the ordinary course of business.

See 'Trading stock'.

Cultural gifts - gifts made under the Cultural Gifts Program.

See 'Cultural gifts'.

Cultural bequests - gifts made under the Cultural Bequests Program.

See 'Cultural bequests'.

Heritage gifts - places included in the National Heritage List, the Commonwealth Heritage List or the Register of the National Estate.

See 'Heritage gifts'.

For each gift type, this section explains the types of gifts covered, the types of deductible gift recipients (DGRs) that can receive the gifts, and valuation issues.

Issues relating to making elections to spread the deduction for each gift type are also covered.

The DGR table gives the gift types for each general DGR category. Gifts that fall within the first four gift types can be made to almost all DGRs. Gifts in the other gift types can only be made to limited groups of DGRs.

In some situations, a gift may fall within more than one of the gift types. Donors may use the gift type that is most appropriate.

EXAMPLE

Samantha owns an antique book shop. She is considering giving an expensive antique book from the shop's trading stock to a public museum that is a DGR.

If the requirements of the particular gift type are met, such a gift may fall within the following gift types, 'property > $5,000', 'trading stock', or 'cultural gift'.

She may claim a deduction under the gift type that is most appropriate.

What is a gift? and other requirements for a gift to be tax deductible are explained in 'Donors and gifts'.

$2 or more

TYPE OF GIFT

This gift type covers gifts of money, including foreign currency. The money may be paid in various ways, including by cash, cheque, credit card or electronically.

The gift to a deductible gift recipient (DGR) must be $2 or more. A series of gifts made to a DGR in an income year may be aggregated to work out if the gift is $2 or more.

EXAMPLE

For the last 20 weeks of the income year, Elizabeth participated in a workplace giving program. She has been having $1.50 deducted from her weekly pay. The money is being sent on a weekly basis by her employer to a DGR.

Elizabeth can claim $30 as a gift deduction. While each individual gift to the DGR is $1.50, her total gift to the DGR that year is $2 or more.

This gift type does not cover testamentary gifts, that is, gifts made under a will.

RECIPIENTS

This gift type applies to all types of DGR (except for gifts to the Commonwealth for the purposes of Artbank).

VALUATION

The value of the gift for deduction purposes is the amount of money the donor gives to the DGR.

For this gift type, donors can make an election to spread the deduction over a period of up to five years. See 'Spreading tax deductions for gifts'.

Property >$5,000

TYPE OF GIFT

This gift type covers gifts of property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5,000.

Property has a wide meaning. As well as physical things, it includes rights and interests that are capable of ownership and have a value.

This gift type does not cover testamentary gifts, that is, gifts made under a will.

RECIPIENTS

This gift type applies to all types of deductible gift recipient (DGR) (except for gifts to the Commonwealth for the purposes of Artbank).

VALUATION

If the donor purchased the property during the 12 months before making the gift, the amount of the gift deduction is explained in 'Property <12 months'.

If the donor did not purchase the property during the 12 months before making the gift, the amount of the gift deduction is the value determined by the Tax Office.

Property is purchased if it is acquired by way of bargain or sale for money or some other valuable consideration.

Property that has not been purchased includes prizes won in raffles, property received as a gift, and inherited property.

Tax Office valuations are made by the Australian Valuation Office (AVO), which is a part of the Tax Office. A deposit must accompany the Request for valuation upon lodgment with the AVO. The charge for a valuation is advised upon processing of your Request for valuation.

Contact: Australian Valuation Office

Philanthropy Programme

Australian Valuation Office

PO Box 911

Dickson ACT 2602

Phone: (08) 8218 9008 or (02) 6229 3400

Fax: (08) 8212 6090 or (02) 6230 5060

Website: www.avo.gov.au

It is up to the donor, not the DGR, to find out the value of the gift.

For this gift type, donors can make an election to spread the deduction over a period of up to five years. See 'Spreading tax deductions for gifts'.

In some situations, a gift may fall under more than one gift type. Donors may use the gift type that is most appropriate. See gift types.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our fact sheet Gifts of property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5,000 (NAT 8261).

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

Property <12 months

TYPE OF GIFT

This gift type covers gifts of property purchased by the donor during the 12 months before making the gift.

Property has a wide meaning. As well as physical things, it includes rights and interests that are capable of ownership and have a value.

For gifts of trading stock where the disposal takes place outside the ordinary course of business, see 'Trading stock'.

Property is purchased if it is acquired by way of bargain or sale for money or some other valuable consideration.

Property that has not been purchased includes prizes won in raffles, property received as a gift, and inherited property.

EXAMPLE

Giulia wins a desk in a raffle. If she gives it to a DGR, it will not fall within this gift type. She would have to check if it was covered by another gift type that applied to the DGR.

The value of the gift must be $2 or more.

This gift type does not cover testamentary gifts, that is, gifts made under a will.

RECIPIENTS

This gift type applies to all types of deductible gift recipient (DGR) (except for gifts to the Commonwealth for the purposes of Artbank).

VALUATION

The amount of the gift deduction is the lesser of:

  • the market value of the property on the day the gift is made, and
  • the amount paid by the donor for the property.

EXAMPLE

Clarence purchases an item of property for $600 and donates it to a DGR 10 months later. The market value at the time Clarence makes the gift is $500.

Clarence cannot claim $600 because the market value is less than the amount paid. He can only claim $500 (provided the claim does not add to or create a tax loss).

It is up to the donor, not the DGR, to find out the market value of the gift.

Market value

For donors who are registered for GST or required to be registered, the amount that would otherwise be the market value is reduced by an amount equal to the GST credit (if any) to which the donor would have been entitled if:

  • the donor had acquired the property at the time the gift was made, and
  • the acquisition had been solely for a creditable purpose.

Donors who are not registered for GST, and are not required to be registered, do not need to adjust the market value.

EXAMPLE

Franziska runs a restaurant and is registered for GST. She gives some of the restaurant's kitchenware to a DGR on 7 November 2004. The market value on that day (including GST) was $2,200.

If she had acquired the kitchenware for $2,200 on that day, she would have been entitled to a GST credit of 1/11th, given the assumption it would be used solely for the restaurant. That means she would have been able to claim back $200 of GST on the purchase.

As a result, Franziska's market value for gift deduction purposes would be $2,000, that is $2,200 minus $200.

Amount paid

For donors who are registered for GST, or are required to be registered, the amount paid is reduced by the amount of the GST credit (if any). This is because the donor effectively receives a refund of the GST paid on purchasing the gifted property.

If GST was not included in the price of the property purchased by the donor, no adjustment would be made. Examples are purchases from businesses that are not registered for GST and not required to be registered.

For donors who are not registered for GST, and not required to be registered, the amount paid is not adjusted to exclude GST.

EXAMPLE

Sergei is a builder who is registered for GST. He gives timber he had bought for his business to a DGR. It cost him $3,300.

Because Sergei would be entitled to a GST credit of $300 (that is 1/11th of $3,300), his amount paid for gift purposes would be $3,000.

If Sergei was not registered for GST and was not required to be registered, the amount paid would be $3,300.

Spreading tax deductions

For this gift type, donors can make an election to spread the deduction over a period of up to five years where the gift has been valued by the Tax Office at more than $5,000. Tax Office valuations are made by the Australian Valuation Office which is part of the Tax Office. See Contact details.

The amount that can be spread is the amount of the gift deduction that can be claimed under this gift type.

EXAMPLE

Bill purchases property in May 2004 for $4,000 and donates it to a DGR nine months later. The market value at the time he makes the gift is $6,000.

Bill's tax deduction for 2004-05 (provided the claim does not add to or create a tax loss) is $4,000.

Bill asks the Tax Office to value the property at the time the gift was made. The Tax Office values it at more than $5,000.

He can then elect to spread his $4,000 deduction over 2004-05 and the four following years.

How to make an election to spread a tax deduction is explained in 'Spreading tax deductions for gifts'.

In some situations, a gift may fall under more than one gift type. Donors may use the gift type that is most appropriate. See gift types.

Trading stock

TYPE OF GIFT

This gift type covers the trading stock of a business, but only if two conditions are met:

  • the gift is a disposal of the trading stock outside the ordinary course of the donor's business, and
  • if the gift involves the forced disposal or death of livestock, no income tax election has been made to spread or defer the profit.

For this gift type, it is not necessary for the trading stock to have been purchased during the 12 months before the gift was made.

EXAMPLE

Ghia operates a furniture retail business. She knows a DGR that could use a particular cupboard she has in stock.

If Ghia gives the cupboard to the DGR, it would fall within the 'Trading stock' gift type.

RECIPIENTS

This gift type applies to all types of deductible gift recipient (DGR) (except for gifts to the Commonwealth for the purposes of Artbank).

VALUATION

The value of the gift is the market value of the trading stock on the day the gift was made.

The donor may also need to include the market value in assessable income under the general rules for income tax.

EXAMPLE

Joseph operates a retail business and values his trading stock at cost. In the 2003-04 income year he purchased $2,000 of trading stock for resale in his business. The stock was still on hand at the end of that income year. During the 2004-05 income year he gifted the same trading stock to a DGR. At the time of making the gift, the stock had a market value of $3,000.

In the 2003-04 income year Joseph claims as a deduction the $2,000 cost of trading stock purchased in that year. He also records $2,000 as part of his trading stock on hand at the end of the year. There is therefore a neutral effect on taxable income for the 2003-04 year.

In the 2004-05 income year, the stock forms part of his opening trading stock. On the day it is gifted, the stock ceases to be trading stock and does not form part of his closing trading stock for that financial year. Joseph receives a deduction for the difference between his opening and closing stock values, that is $2,000.

As the gift is a disposal of trading stock outside the ordinary course of business, Joseph also includes as assessable income the market value of the trading stock that is $3,000. He will also claim a gift deduction for this amount. The overall effect in the 2004-05 income year is a reduction of $2,000 in his taxable income.

Note: The gift deduction is not allowable to the extent that it adds to or creates a tax loss.

Market value

For donors who are registered for GST or required to be registered, the amount that would otherwise be the market value is reduced by an amount equal to the GST credit (if any) to which the donor would have been entitled if:

  • the donor had acquired the property at the time the gift was made, and
  • the acquisition had been solely for a creditable purpose.

EXAMPLE

Madeleine runs a fabric shop and is registered for GST. She gives some of the shop's stock to a DGR on 7 November 2004. The market value on that day (including GST) was $2,200.

If she had acquired the stock for $2,200 on that day, she would have been entitled to a GST credit of 1/11th, given the assumption it would be used solely for the purposes of sale. That means she would have been able to claim back $200 of GST on the purchase.

As a result, Madeleine's market value for gift deduction purposes would be $2,000, that is $2,200 minus $200.

Donors who are not registered for GST, and are not required to be registered, do not need to adjust the market value.

Spreading tax deductions

For this gift type, donors can make an election to spread the deduction over a period of up to five years where the Tax Office has valued the gift at more than $5,000. The amount that can be spread is the amount of the gift deduction that can be claimed under this gift type.

Tax Office valuations are made by the Australian Valuation Office which is part of the Tax Office. See Contact details.

How to make an election to spread a tax deduction is explained in 'Spreading tax deductions for gifts'.

In some situations, a gift may fall under more than one gift type. Donors may use the gift type that is most appropriate. See gift types.

Cultural gifts

TYPE OF GIFT

This gift type covers gifts of culturally significant property (except property that is an estate or interest in land or in a building or part of a building) made under the Cultural Gifts Program.

The Cultural Gifts Program is administered by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) with the advice of the Committee on Taxation Incentives for the Arts.

The value of the gift must be $2 or more (except for gifts to the Commonwealth for the purposes of Artbank).

This gift type does not cover testamentary gifts, that is, gifts made under a will.

RECIPIENTS

This gift type applies to deductible gift recipients (DGRs) that are public libraries, public museums, public art galleries, institutions consisting of two or more of these, the Australiana Fund and the Commonwealth for the purposes of Artbank.

The property must be accepted by the DGR for inclusion in a collection it is maintaining or establishing. For Artbank, the property must be accepted by the Commonwealth for inclusion in a collection maintained or being established for the purposes of Artbank.

Intending donors should contact the DGR, then they or the DGR should seek further information from DCITA.

VALUATION

The general rule is that the amount of the deduction is the average of two or more written valuations made by valuers approved by the Secretary to DCITA.

However, if the property was:

  • acquired for the purpose of giving it away
  • acquired subject to an arrangement that it would be given away, or
  • acquired (otherwise than by inheritance) less than one year before making the gift,

the valuation of the gift is the lesser of the amount the donor paid for the property and the average of the written valuations.

Where the written valuations for the property do not fairly represent the GST-inclusive market value of the property, the deduction is adjusted to the GST-inclusive market value on the day the gift was made.

Written valuations are not required if no amount is included in the donor's assessable income in respect of the gift, and an amount would have been included if the property had been sold rather than gifted. An example could be property purchased with a profit-making intention that is later disposed of by gift. The valuation of the gift is the amount paid for the property, or if the property had been manufactured or created, the amount allowable as a tax deduction if it had been sold by the donor.

If the donor is registered for GST, or required to be registered, these amounts may need to be adjusted.

For this gift type, donors can make an election to spread the deduction over a period of up to five years. See 'Spreading tax deductions for gifts'.

CONDITIONAL GIFTS

A gift deduction is reduced by a reasonable amount if property is donated subject to conditions on the ownership, custody and control of the property.

CAPITAL GAINS TAX EXEMPTION

Gifts of property made under the Cultural Gifts Program are exempt from capital gains tax. Any capital gain or loss made from such gifts is disregarded.

This rule does not apply if the donor or an associate of the donor later acquires the gift for less than market value.

In some situations, a gift may fall under more than one gift type. Donors may use the gift type that is most appropriate. See gift types.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our fact sheet Cultural Gifts Program and tax deductible gifts (NAT 8236).

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

You can also contact DCITA:

Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts:

PO Box 2154

CANBERRA ACT

Phone: (02) 6271 1643

Fax: (02) 6271 1697

Email: cgp.mail@dcita.gov.au

Website: www.dcita.gov.au/arts/arts

Cultural bequests

The Cultural Bequests Program was administered by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) for three years to the end of the 1999-00 income year. The Program is currently suspended.

Holders of certificates issued by the Minister for the Arts whilst the Program was operating can claim a deduction to the value on the certificate.

The gift is deductible in the final tax return of the testator. If the deduction is not claimed in full at that point, because its value exceeds the taxable income, the balance may be claimed by the trustee in the first estate return. However this cannot add to or create a tax loss in the estate's tax return.

Heritage gifts

TYPE OF GIFT

This gift type covers gifts of places included in:

  • the National Heritage List, or the Commonwealth Heritage List, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, or
  • the Register of the National Estate under the Australian Heritage Council Act 2003.

Places included in these lists are:

  • places of outstanding natural, Indigenous or historic heritage value to the nation
  • places of significant natural, Indigenous or historic heritage value owned or leased by the Commonwealth, and
  • places of significant natural, Indigenous or historic heritage value throughout Australia.

This gift type does not cover testamentary gifts, that is, gifts made under a will.

RECIPIENTS

This gift type applies to deductible gift recipients (DGRs) that are National Trust bodies.

The gift must be accepted by the National Trust body for the purpose of preserving it for the benefit of the public.

VALUATION

The general rule is that the valuation of the gift is the average of the written valuations provided by valuers approved by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA).

For this gift type, donors can make an election to spread the deduction over a period of up to five years. See 'Spreading tax deductions for gifts'.

In some situations, a gift may fall under more than one gift type. Donors may use the gift type that is most appropriate. See gift types.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our fact sheet Environmental and heritage organisations and tax deductible gifts (NAT 8237).

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

Contributions to DGRs

Certain deductible gift recipient (DGR) fundraising events encourage contributions which may at the same time extend minor benefits to the contributor. As a benefit is received in return, the contributor is not entitled to claim the contribution as a tax deductible gift.

From 1 July 2004, contributions made by individuals to DGRs in relation to DGR fundraising events such as fetes, balls, gala shows, dinners and charity auctions may be tax deductible.

To be deductible, a contribution must meet several requirements:

  • the contribution must be made to a DGR for:
    • a right to attend or participate in a fundraising event in Australia, or
    • the purchase of goods or services as a successful bidder at an auction that is, or is at, a fundraising event in Australia
  • the contribution must be more than $250 (and can include certain property contributions)
  • the GST inclusive value of the right or the goods or services (the benefit) must not exceed the lesser of $100 and 10 per cent of the value of the contribution
  • the contribution must satisfy any gift conditions relating to the DGR as though it was a gift, and
  • the contribution must be made by an individual.

Testamentary contributions, that is, contributions made under a will, are not tax deductible.

If the contribution is a gift, a deduction may only be claimed as a gift, see 'What is a gift?'

DGRs

All categories of DGR (except the Commonwealth for the purposes of Artbank) can receive deductible contributions.

For some DGRs, contributions will only be deductible if made to some part of the DGR.

EXAMPLE

A local government council is endorsed as a DGR only for its library. Only deductible contributions made to the library will be tax deductible. Contributions made to the council's neighbourhood program, for example, will not be deductible.

Fundraising events held by political parties are ineligible for the concession. However, see 'Contributions to registered political parties'.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF PROPERTY

The following contributions of property made in return for a right to attend or participate in a fundraising event may be deductible contributions:

  • property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5,000 and not purchased during the 12 months before making the contribution, and
  • property valued at more than $250 and purchased by the contributor during the 12 months before making the contribution.

Property is purchased if it is acquired by way of bargain or sale for money or some other valuable consideration.

To value contributions of property valued by the Tax Office at more than $5,000, refer to the valuation section for 'Property >$5,000'.

To value property purchased by the contributor during the 12 months before making the contribution, refer to the valuation section for 'Property < 12 months'.

It is up to the individual and not the DGR to find out the value of a contribution of property.

GIFT CONDITIONS

A deductible contribution to a DGR must also satisfy any gift conditions applicable to the DGR as though the contribution was a gift.

For some DGRs, the law adds extra conditions affecting the types of deductible gifts they can receive. The gift or contribution may only be tax deductible if made:

  • between certain dates, or
  • for a specific use.

A contribution is made for a specific purpose of the gift condition if the fundraising event is staged for that purpose.

The gift conditions for the general DGR categories are set out in the DGR table. Many categories of DGR have no gift conditions.

EXAMPLE

XYZ Agency is endorsed as a DGR under the general DGR category 'public authority for research'. To satisfy the gift conditions for public authority for research, the contributions to XYZ Agency must be made for fundraising events staged to raise funds for the purposes of research into the causes, prevention or cure of disease in human beings, animals or plants.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to Non-profit organisations and fundraising (NAT 13095) for information on determining the value of a minor benefit.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

WHO CAN CLAIM A TAX DEDUCTION?

Individual taxpayers who have made deductible contributions may claim a tax deduction. In order to claim tax deductions they need to know:

  • how much can be claimed
  • when contributions can be claimed
  • what records are required, and
  • other income tax consequences of making a contribution.

HOW MUCH CAN BE CLAIMED?

The deduction is limited to that part of the contribution that is in excess of the benefit received in return for making the contribution.

EXAMPLE

Phillip pays $300 to attend a play hosted by a DGR, which is open to the public and costs $30 a ticket on the open market. Phillip can claim a deduction of $270 ($300-$30).

An individual attending a fundraising event may claim two contributions for the right to attend the same fundraising event, but no more (for example, one for the individual and one for the individual's partner).

There is no limit to the number of deductions that may be claimed for the purchase of goods and services by way of successful bids at a fundraising auction. An individual may claim a deduction for both attending a fundraising event (for example a fundraising dinner auction) as well as for the purchase of goods or services as a successful bidder at the auction.

EXAMPLE

Rebecca makes a payment of $260 to attend a charity auction conducted by a DGR. The ticket to the auction has a market value of $20. At the auction, Rebecca successfully bids $2,000 for a chair with a market value of $90. She also bids $1,000 for a painting with a market value of $100. Rebecca can claim three separate deductions - one of $240 in respect of her contribution for the right to attend the auction; one of $1,910 for the purchase of the chair at auction and a further $900 for the purchase of the painting at auction.

The deduction for a fundraising contribution cannot add to or create a tax loss. The deduction can reduce assessable income for the tax year to nil but any excess cannot be claimed in the year it is made or any later year.

EXAMPLE

Dominic's assessable income in his tax return for 2004-05 is $15,000. The deductible portion of contributions he makes to DGRs during that year is $20,000. He has no other income or deductions in his tax return.

The tax deduction he can claim for his contributions is limited to $15,000. This is because a deductible contribution cannot add to or create a tax loss.

Dominic's taxable income therefore becomes nil and the excess $5,000 from his contributions claim cannot be carried forward to a later tax return.

WHEN CAN CONTRIBUTIONS BE CLAIMED?

A tax deduction for a contribution is claimed in the tax return for the income year in which the contribution is made.

Donors should refer to TaxPack for information on how deductible contributions can be claimed in the tax return for the year in which the contribution was made.

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

WHAT RECORDS ARE REQUIRED?

Individuals should keep records of all their deductible contributions to help prepare their tax returns and as evidence if their claims are checked by the Tax Office.

DGRs are not required by tax law to issue receipts for deductible contributions, but if they do, the receipt must specify:

  • the name and ABN (if any - note: Some DGRs listed by name might not have an ABN) of the DGR.
  • the fact that the contribution was made for
    • a right to attend a specified fundraising event, or
    • the purchase of goods and services as a successful bidder at a fundraising auction
  • the amount of the contribution (if money), and
  • the GST inclusive market value of the right or the goods or services (the benefit) received in return for the contribution.

Other useful information for contributors includes:

  • the date the contribution was made, and
  • a description of the contribution if it was property.

When property has been contributed, contributors may need to keep the date of acquisition, the amount paid for the property and any valuations.

OTHER INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

Amounts received as a refund or reimbursement of a contribution from a DGR or another person where an individual can or has claimed a deduction in relation to a contribution must be included in assessable income.

For other income tax matters to consider when making deductible contributions or gifts, see other income tax matters.

Contributions to registered political parties

Political parties are not deductible gift recipients (DGRs). However, contributions to political parties, including membership fees, may be claimed as income tax deductions. The recipient must be a political party that is registered under Part XI of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.

The most a contributor can claim in an income year is $100.

The contribution must be:

  • money, or
  • property that the contributor purchased during the 12 months before making the contribution.

Some contributions cannot be claimed as deductions:

  • contributions of less than $2
  • contributions made by companies, and
  • testamentary contributions, that is, contributions made under a will.

A list of registered political parties is available at the Australian Electoral Commission website at www.aec.gov.au

Conservation covenants

WHAT IS A CONSERVATION COVENANT?

A conservation covenant over land is a covenant that:

  • restricts or prohibits certain activities on the land that could degrade the environmental value of the land
  • is permanent and registered on the title to the land - if registration is possible, and
  • is approved in writing by, or is entered into under a program approved in writing by, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage.

WHAT ARE THE TAX CONCESSIONS?

A land owner who does not receive any money, property or other material benefit for entering into a conservation covenant on or after 1 July 2002 may be eligible for:

  • an income tax deduction, and
  • concessional capital gains tax treatment.

A land owner who receives some capital proceeds for entering into a conservation covenant on or after 15 June 2000 may qualify for concessional capital gains tax treatment.

INCOME TAX DEDUCTION

The covenant must be entered into with:

  • a deductible gift recipient (DGR)
  • the Commonwealth, a state, a territory or a local governing body, or
  • an authority of the Commonwealth, a state or a territory.

The amount that can be deducted is the difference between the market value of the land just before entering into the covenant and its decreased market value just after that time, but only to the extent that the decrease is attributable to entering into the covenant.

The change in the market value of the land must be more than $5,000 due to the covenant. If the decrease in value of the land is less than $5,000, a deduction will only be available if the land was acquired not more than 12 months before entering into the covenant.

Donors must seek a valuation of the change in the market value of the land from the Tax Office.

The deduction cannot add to or create a tax loss. However, donors can elect to spread the deduction over a period of up to five years.

CONCESSIONAL CAPITAL GAINS TAX TREATMENT

The capital gains tax (CGT) concessions provide comparable treatment between land owners who enter into conservation covenants and land owners who sell part of their land. In other circumstances where rights are created over an asset, almost all of the capital proceeds are treated as a capital gain.

Donors who enter into a conservation covenant calculate their capital gain by comparing capital proceeds from the grant of the covenant with a portion of the cost base of the entire land over which the covenant is granted.

Similarly, a capital loss is calculated by comparing capital proceeds from the grant of the covenant with a portion of the reduced cost base of the entire land over which the covenant is granted.

If entitled to an income tax deduction, the capital proceeds from the event are equal to the amount that can be deducted.

Capital gains made from entering into a conservation covenant may qualify for:

  • pre-CGT exemption, if the land was acquired before 20 September 1985
  • the CGT discount, if the land was owned for at least 12 months before the grant of the conservation covenant
  • the small business CGT concessions, if the land is an active asset.

MORE INFORMATION

Refer to our fact sheet Conservation covenant concessions (NAT 6539).

To obtain this publication, see 'More information'.

You can also contact the Department of Environment and Heritage at:

The Secretary

Department of the Environment and Heritage

GPO Box 787

Canberra ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6274 1111

Fax: (02) 6274 2286

Website: www.deh.gov.au

Log of status reviews/Record of key information

Log of Status Reviews

We recommend you use this log each time you self-review your organisation's DGR status.

Worksheets have been provided to assist you with these reviews:

Organisations endorsed as a DGR in their own right should refer to Worksheet 1.

Organisations endorsed as a DGR for a fund, authority or institution they operate should refer to Worksheet 2. If your organisation is endorsed for several funds, authorities or institutions do not write on this log - keep it as a template to make copies for each.

Period reviewed

DGR status confirmed (yes/no*)

Person conducting review

Position held

Signature

Date

Start date

End date

       
       
       
       
       
       
       

* If your organisation is no longer a DGR, have you notified the Tax Office? See self review.

Record of Key Information

Record your organisation's key information in the table below:

Name of organisation

 

Australian business number (ABN)

 

Tax file number (TFN)

 

Public Officer

 

Authorised contact person

 

Endorsement details:

Name of fund, authority or institution

 

Type of endorsement

Item no.

 
 

Description

 

Date of endorsement

 

Definitions

Australian business number

Your Australian business number (ABN) is your identifier for certain dealings with the Tax Office and other government departments and agencies.

Australian Business Register

Your ABN registration details become part of the Australian Business Register (ABR), which we maintain for all Commonwealth purposes. The publicly available information on this register will allow people to find out whether the entities they are dealing with have an ABN, are registered for GST, or are endorsed as deductible gift recipients.

Charitable fund

A charitable fund is a fund established under an instrument of trust or a will for a charitable purpose. The purposes set out in the will or instrument of trust must be charitable. Charitable funds mainly manage trust property, and/or hold trust property to make distributions to other entities or persons. In contrast, if the trustee mainly carries on activities that are charitable, the fund will be treated as a charitable institution and not as a charitable fund.

For more information on charitable funds, refer to our publication Income tax guide for non-profit organisations (NAT 7967).

Charitable institution

A charitable institution is an institution that is established and run to advance or promote a charitable purpose. An organisation's purposes can be found in its governing document/s and from its activities, history and control. A charitable institution will carry on charitable activities whilst a charitable fund mainly manages, and/or holds trust property.

For more information on charitable institutions, refer to our publication Income tax guide for non-profit organisations (NAT 7967).

Charitable purposes

Charitable purposes are those which the law regards as charitable. The term 'charitable' has a technical legal meaning which is different from its everyday meaning. Charitable purposes are:

  • the relief of poverty or sickness or the needs of the aged
  • the advancement of education
  • the advancement of religion
  • the provision of child care services on a non-profit basis, and
  • other purposes beneficial to the community.

Charity

A charity is an institution or fund established for a charitable purpose. Examples of charities include:

  • religious institutions
  • aged person's homes
  • homeless hostels
  • organisations relieving the special needs of people with disabilities, and
  • societies that promote the fine arts.

For more information on charities, see our publication Income tax guide for non-profit organisations (NAT 7967).

Deductible gift recipient (DGR)

A DGR is an organisation that is entitled to receive income tax deductible gifts. All DGRs have to be endorsed by the Tax Office, unless they are listed by name in the income tax law. There are two types of endorsement:

  • where an organisation is endorsed as a DGR in its own right, or
  • where an organisation is endorsed as a DGR for a fund, authority or institution that it operates.

For the second type, only gifts to the fund, authority or institution are tax deductible.

Endorsement

Endorsement is the process under which organisations apply to the Tax Office for approval to:

Entity

For the purposes of this publication, an entity means an individual, a body corporate, a corporation sole, a body politic, a partnership, an unincorporated association or body of persons, a trust or a superannuation fund.

In addition, the trustee of a trust or superannuation fund is taken to be an entity consisting of the person or persons who are trustee/s at the time. That entity is a different entity to the person acting in their personal capacity. If reference is made to an entity of a particular kind (for example, trustee), it refers to the entity only in its capacity as that kind of entity.

Goods and services tax

Goods and services tax (GST) is a broad-based tax of 10% on the supply of most goods, services and anything else consumed in Australia and the importation of goods into Australia.

GST credits

A GST credit is what you claim to get back the GST you pay in the price of goods and services you purchase for your business or enterprise. You are entitled to a GST credit for the GST included in the price you pay for a purchase, or the GST paid on an import, if it is for use in your business or enterprise, but not to the extent that you use the purchase or import to make input taxed sales, or if the purchase or import is of a private or domestic nature. You must have a tax invoice before you can claim a GST credit on your activity statement (except for purchases of $50 or less excluding GST.)

Non-profit

An organisation is non-profit if it is not carried on for the profit or gain of its individual members. This applies for direct and indirect gains, and both while the organisation is being carried on and on its winding up. The Tax Office accepts an organisation as non-profit if its constitution or governing documents prohibit distribution of profits or gains to individual members and its actions are consistent with the prohibition.

Non-profit sub-entity

Certain non-profit organisations, with independent branches (units), have the option of treating their units as if they were separate entities for GST purposes and not part of the main organisation. For DGR endorsement, it is the main organisation and not the non-profit sub-entity that must apply.

Pay as you go withholding

Pay as you go (PAYG) withholding requires an organisation to withhold an amount if it makes certain payments. These include salary, wages, commission, bonuses or allowances to an employee, directors' fees, payments for a supply (goods or services) to another business which does not quote an ABN, and certain dividend, interest and royalty payments.

More Information

Essential tax information for your non-profit organisation

NOTE: This publication is also available in PDF and paper format. To order a paper copy:

  • phone us on 1300 720 092 and quote NAT number 13131 (this is a unique identifying number we give each of our publications), or
  • write to us at GPO Box 9935 in your capital city.

For those involved in the financial aspects of non-profit organisations - such as charities, clubs, societies and associations - we offer a range of publications, advisory, educational and electronic services.

Choose the right amount of tax information for your needs - from overviews, to guides and fact sheets on specific topics, to comprehensive technical information.

Publications

GENERAL OVERVIEW INFORMATION

Tax basics for non-profit organisations (NAT 7966) is for all non-profit organisations. It:

  • provides an overview of tax obligations and concessions for non-profit organisations
  • helps you identify which taxes affect your organisation, including income tax, fringe benefits tax, goods and services tax, and pay as you go, and
  • explains where to find more detailed information.

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION

Income tax guide for non-profit organisations (NAT 7967) is for all non-profit organisations. It explains:

  • how to work out if your organisation is exempt from income tax
  • the endorsement process for charities, and
  • the income tax treatment of non-profit organisations that are not exempt.

GiftPack for deductible gift recipients - donors (NAT 3132) is for organisations that want to receive tax deductible gifts and donors that want to claim deductions for their gifts. It explains:

  • who can receive tax deductible gifts
  • the endorsement process for deductible gift recipients
  • the types of gifts that are tax deductible, and
  • what donors have to do to claim deductions for their gifts.

Volunteers and tax (NAT 4612) is for volunteers and organisations that deal with volunteers. It explains the tax treatment of transactions that commonly occur between non-profit organisations and their volunteers.

Non-profit organisations and fundraising (NAT 10395) is for all non-profit organisations. It:

  • explains the tax treatment of various fundraising activities and the concessions available, and
  • provides information on state, territory and local government requirements in relation to fundraising.

OTHER GUIDES

Other guides are available with detailed information on goods and services tax, PAYG withholding, fringe benefits tax, superannuation, capital gains tax, activity statements and record keeping.

FACT SHEETS

We also have a range of fact sheets on specific topics written especially for non-profit organisations.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

If you are looking for technical information such as rulings, practice statements and tax laws, you can find them on our website.

To obtain copies of our publications:

  • visit our website at www.ato.gov.au/nonprofit
  • phone 1300 720 092 and quote the NAT number (which is a unique national identifying number we give each of our publications, for example, NAT 7966)
  • write to us at GPO Box 9935 in your capital city, or
  • request a fax by phoning 13 28 60.

Services

INTERNET

Our website includes an area specifically for non-profit organisations.

The Non-profit organisations home page at www.ato.gov.au/nonprofit links you to information about:

  • taxes relevant to non-profit organisations, including income tax, fringe benefits tax, goods and services tax, and pay as you go
  • exemptions or concessions that may apply, and
  • other issues, such as fundraising, record keeping, volunteers and deductible gifts.

EMAIL UPDATE SERVICE

Use the email updates link on our home page to subscribe to the Non-profit organisations webspace and receive free email updates when information is updated or added, including articles from the Non-profit news service. This will keep you up-to-date on key tax issues affecting the non-profit sector, new publications we release for non-profit organisations, and changes to tax law.

PHONE

Phone our information line on 1300 130 248 for direct access to staff trained to deal with non-profit enquiries, including income tax, Australian business number, goods and services tax and fringe benefits tax.

If you do not speak English well and want to talk to a tax officer, phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 for help with your call.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment and have access to appropriate TTY or modem equipment, phone 13 36 77. If you do not have access to TTY or modem equipment, phone the Speech to Speech Relay Service on 1300 555 727.

SPEAKERS AND SEMINARS

We can deliver a variety of informative and practical sessions at a time and place convenient to you, and we can tailor presentations to suit your needs. Phone our national coordinator on 1300 130 282 to discuss your requirements, or email us at speakersandseminars@ato.gov.au

Last Modified: Wednesday, 15 June 2005




Copyright

Commonwealth of Australia

This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved.

Requests for further authorisation should be directed to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Intellectual Property Branch, Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, GPO Box 2154, Canberra ACT 2601 or posted at http://www.ag.gov.au/cca.

ATO references:
NO NAT 3132

GiftPack (current to 30 June 2006)
  Date: Version:
  1 July 2000 Original document
  1 July 2003 Updated document
You are here 1 July 2005 Updated document
  1 July 2006 Updated document
  1 July 2007 Updated document
  1 May 2011 Updated document
  3 December 2012 Updated document
  5 December 2013 Archived