10 September 2013
Generally, there is no maximum limit under section 80G.
Understanding Section 80G Section 80G offers a tax deduction for donations to certain prescribed funds and charitable institutions. Here are the details of the section.
Eligible Assesses This section is applicable to all assessees, who make an eligible donation, whether an individual, HUF, NRI or a company.
Deduction Limit The extent of deduction is either 50% or 100% of the contribution, depending on the charitable institution donated to.
For certain funds, the aggregate deduction is limited to 10% of the “Adjusted Gross Total Income”. So, in such cases, even if you do make a donation larger than 10% of your Adjusted Gross Total Income, the donation amount eligible for claiming a deduction would be capped at 10% of the Adjusted Gross Total Income.
The Adjusted Gross Total in this case, is the gross total income minus long-term capital gain, short term capital gain and all deductions u/s 80CCC to 80U except any deduction under this section.
Scope of Deduction The donation may be paid either out of taxable or exempted income. Only donations made in cash or cheque are eligible for deductions. Donations made in kind, in the form of food, clothing, medicines etc are not eligible. Donations to foreign charitable trusts are not eligible for any deduction. Political parties (BJP,CPI,Congress,CPM,BSP,SP) are eligible for 100% deduction.
10 September 2013
Donations with 100% deduction without any qualifying limit:
Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund National Defence Fund Prime Minister’s Armenia Earthquake Relief Fund The Africa (Public Contribution - India) Fund The National Foundation for Communal Harmony Approved university or educational institution of national eminence The Chief Minister’s Earthquake Relief Fund, Maharashtra Donations made to Zila Saksharta Samitis. The National Blood Transfusion Council or a State Blood Transfusion Council. The Army Central Welfare Fund or the Indian Naval Benevolent Fund or The Air Force Central Welfare Fund. Army Central Welfare Fund, Indian Naval Ben. Fund, Air Force Central Welfare Fund. National Illness Assistance Fund Chief Minister's or Lt. Governor's Relief Fund National Sports Fund National Cultural Fund Govt./ local authority/ institution/ association towards promoting family planning Central Govt.'s Fund for Technology Development & Application National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities Indian Olympic Association/ other such notified association Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Cyclone Relied Fund
10 September 2013
Donations with 50% deduction without any qualifying limit.
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Prime Minister’s Drought Relief Fund National Children’s Fund Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Donations to govt./ local authority for charitable purposes (excluding family planning) Authority/ corporation having income exempt under erstwhile section or u/s 10(26BB) Donations for repair/ renovation of notified places of worship World Vision India Udavum Karangal
Donations to the following are eligible for 100% deduction subject to 10% of adjusted gross total income
Donations to the Government or a local authority for the purpose of promoting family planning. Sums paid by a company to Indian Olympic Association
Donations to the following are eligible for 50% deduction subject to 10% of adjusted gross total income
Donation to the Government or any local authority to be utilized by them for any charitable purposes other than the purpose of promoting family planning.
10 September 2013
The Donation Receipt In order to claim deduction, it is mandatory for the donor to furnish a proof of payment towards the eligible fund or institution. A stamped receipt is issued by the recipient trust in this regard, which must be attached by the assessee along with the income tax returns. The receipt must include the following details. Name and address of the trust The name of the donor The amount donated, mentioned in words and figures The registration number of the trust, as given by the income tax department under section 80G, along with its validity period. Tax benefits cannot be claimed without the above mentioned details and document.
Donations deducted from Salary Where employees have contributed towards eligible charitable causes from their salaries and the donation receipt is on the employer’s name, a deduction under section 80G could still be claimed. In such cases, the employer would need to issue a certificate mentioning that the contribution was made from the employee’s salary account.
There are many trusts in India engaged in charitable activities. In order to ensure that only contributions to genuine trusts entail a tax benefit, the government has brought in registration of trusts. Thus, before you donate, check to see, if the trust you are donating to is registered and has the tax exemption certificate, which is popularly known as the 80G certificate.
Note: Donation in cash is acceptable only up to Rs. 10,000 for being eligible for deduction under section 80G.
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