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 tax deduction on donations made to any charitable organization. In this article, we will discuss the following topics.
- Section 80G
- What is the mode of payment
- How to claim the deduction
- Donations Eligible for 100% Deduction Without Qualifying Limit
- Donations Eligible for 50% Deduction Without Qualifying Limit
- Donations Eligible for 100% Deduction Subject to 10% of Adjusted Gross Total Income
- Donations Eligible for 50% Deduction Subject to 10% of Adjusted Gross Total Income
- Section 80GGA
- Donations Eligible Under Section 80GGA
- Adjusted Total Income
1. 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, company, firm or any other person.2. 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 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.3. 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
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4. 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)
5. 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
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.9. Donations Eligible Under Section 80GGA
- Any sum paid to a research association which 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
10. 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
