Donations Eligible Under Section 80G and 80GGA

Many of us at some point in our lives have contemplated giving to charity and doing our bit for society. It is a commendable thing to donate to a cause that you sincerely believe in, and make a difference. Given the nobility of this gesture, the government extends its full support towards charitable services. Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act allows you a tax deduction on donations made to any charitable organization.

Section 80G

Contributions made to certain relief funds and charitable institutions can be claimed as a deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. All donations, however, are not eligible for deductions under section 80G.

Only donations made to prescribed funds qualify as a deduction. This deduction can be claimed by any taxpayer – individuals, companies, firms or any other person.

What is the mode of payment

This deduction can only be claimed when the contribution has been made via a cheque or a draft or in cash. 

But the deduction is not allowed for donations made in cash exceeding Rs 10,000. In-kind contributions such as food, material, clothes, medicines etc. do not qualify for deduction under section 80G. 

From Financial Year 2017-18 onwards: Any donations made in cash exceeding Rs 2,000 will not be allowed as a deduction. The donations above Rs 2,000 should be made in any mode other than cash to qualify as a deduction under section 80G. 

Amount of Donation: The various donations specified in section 80G are eligible for a deduction of up to either 100% or 50% with or without restriction, as provided in section 80G.

How to claim the deduction

To be able to claim this deduction the following details have to be submitted in your Income Tax Return:

• Name of the Donee
• PAN of the Donee
• Address of the Donee
• Amount of Contribution

Donations Eligible for 100% Deduction Without Qualifying Limit

• National Defence Fund set up by the Central Government
• Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund
• National Foundation for Communal Harmony
• An approved university/educational institution of National eminence
• Zila Saksharta Samiti constituted in any district under the chairmanship of the Collector of that district
• Fund set up by a State Government for the medical relief to the poor
• National Illness Assistance Fund
• National Blood Transfusion Council or to any State Blood Transfusion Council
• National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities
• National Sports Fund
• National Cultural Fund
• Fund for Technology Development and Application
• National Children’s Fund
• Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or Lieutenant Governor’s Relief Fund with respect to any State or Union Territory
• The Army Central Welfare Fund or the Indian Naval Benevolent Fund or the Air Force Central Welfare Fund, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Cyclone Relief Fund, 1996
• The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund during October 1, 1993 and October 6, 1993
• Chief Minister’s Earthquake Relief Fund, Maharashtra
• Any fund set up by the State Government of Gujarat exclusively for providing relief to the victims of the earthquake in Gujarat
• Any trust, institution or fund to which Section 80G(5C) applies for providing relief to the victims of the earthquake in Gujarat (contribution made during January 26, 2001, and September 30, 2001) or
• Prime Minister’s Armenia Earthquake Relief Fund
• Africa (Public Contributions – India) Fund
• Swachh Bharat Kosh (applicable from FY 2014-15)
• Clean Ganga Fund (applicable from FY 2014-15)
• National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse (applicable from FY 2015-16)

Donations Eligible for 50% Deduction Without Qualifying Limit

• Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund
• Prime Minister’s Drought Relief Fund
• Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust
• Rajiv Gandhi Foundation

Donations Eligible for 100% Deduction Subject to 10% of Adjusted Gross Total Income

• Donations to the government or any approved local authority, institution or association to be utilized for the purpose of promoting family planning
• Donation by a Company to the Indian Olympic Association or to any other notified association or institution established in India for the development of infrastructure for sports and games in India, or the sponsorship of sports and games in India.

Donations Eligible for 50% Deduction Subject to 10% of Adjusted Gross Total Income

• Any other fund or any institution which satisfies the conditions mentioned in Section 80G(5)
• Government or any local authority, to be utilized for any charitable purpose other than the purpose of promoting family planning
• Any authority constituted in India for the purpose of dealing with and satisfying the need for housing accommodation or for the purpose of planning, development or improvement of cities, towns, villages or both
• Any corporation referred to in Section 10(26BB) for promoting the interest of the minority community
• For repairs or renovation of any notified temple, mosque, gurudwara, church or other places.

Section 80GGA

Section 80GGA allows deductions for donations made towards scientific research or rural development. 

This deduction is allowed to all assessees except those who have an income (or loss) from a business and/or a profession. 

Mode of payment:

 Donations can be made in the form of a cheque or by a draft or in cash; however cash donations in excess of Rs 10,000 are not allowed as deductions. 100% of the amount that is donated or contributed is considered eligible for deductions.

Donations Eligible Under Section 80GGA

• Any sum paid to a research association that undertakes scientific research, or a sum paid to a college, university or any other institution to be used for scientific research that is all approved by the prescribed authority under section 35(1)(ii)
• Sum paid to a research association which undertakes research in social science or statistical research, or sum paid to a college, university or any other institution to be used for the same purpose,  and these must all be approved by the prescribed authority under section 35(1)(iii)
• Sum paid to an approved association or institution which undertakes any program of rural development and is approved under section 35CCA
• Sum paid to an approved association or institution which undertakes training of person(s) for implementing programs of rural development
• Sum paid to a public sector company, local authority or an approved association or institution which carries out projects or schemes approved under section 35AC.
• Sum paid to notified Rural Development Fund
• Sum paid to notified Fund for Afforestation
• Sum paid to notified National Poverty Eradication Fund

If a deduction has been allowed under section 80GGA, such expenses shall not be deductible under any other provision of the income tax act.

Adjusted Total Income

Adjusted total income: Adjusted gross total income is the gross total income (sum of income under all heads) reduced by the aggregate of the following:

• Amount deductible under Sections 80CCC to 80U (but not Section 80G)
• Exempt income
• Long-term capital gains
• Income referred to in Sections 115A, 115AB, 115AC, 115AD and 115D, relating to non-residents and foreign companies

Frequently Asked Questions

I made donations to a trust of Rs.5000 in cash and the donations to trust are qualified for a deduction under section 80G. Can I claim deduction when at the time of filing a return?

No, in case of 80G donations made in cash in excess of Rs.2000 wont qualify for deduction, so you cannot claim a deduction for the same.

Can a partnership firm claim deduction under section 80G ?

Yes, individuals, firm, company or any other person can claim deduction under section 80G.

I am non resident and made donations to Prime Minister’s Relief fund, can I claim deduction under section 80G?

Yes, the benefit of claiming deduction under section 80G is allowed to both resident and non residents.

What is 80GG in income tax? What is rent paid under 80GG ?

80GG allows you to claim a deduction for rent paid even if your salary does not include HRA component or by self employed individuals having income other than salary. The condition is that you should not own any residential accommodation in the place of residence to claim deduction under 80GG.

How to calculate 80GG? How to claim 80GG?

80GG deduction will be allowed as lowest of below mentioned :

• Rs 5,000 per month
• 25% of the adjusted total Income (excluding long-term capital gains, short-term capital gains under section 111A and Income under Section 115A or 115D and deductions under 80C to 80U. Also, income is before making a deduction under section 80GG).
• Actual rent less 10% of Income

Who can claim deduction in 80GG?

Deduction under 80GG is available for employees who do not get HRA as a component of salary because of jobs in the informal sector or to self employed persons. The person claiming this deduction should not own a house in the place of residence.

Can I claim both 80GG and HRA?

No, individuals paying rent but do not receive house rent allowance are allowed to claim deduction under section 80GG. Also , the individual , spouse or children should not own a house property in the place of employment for claiming this deduction.