Charitable Donations & Tax Deductions: What You Must Know

 

Charitable Donations & Tax Deductions: What You Must Know

Who thought that one day everything would be so accessible to us that even donating or supporting a cause would be just a few clicks away? Making a donation in India is easier than ever. You can help drive real change right from your home. Helping children get access to quality education, supporting someone visually impaired, contributing to disaster relief and whatnot, donating has become a trusted and very powerful tool for social good. 

Plus, donations can also benefit you in return, they can offer you some financial benefits. Charitable donation tax deductions can help reduce your taxable income while allowing you to support meaningful causes. So let’s take a look at it thoroughly and explore everything about online giving and how to claim tax benefits for your contribution. 

Why Online Donations?
How we support a cause or contribute has been completely transformed by the digital era that we live in. Sitting at home or commuting to work, contributing to a cause is now quicker, safer, and more transparent than ever before. 

Here’s why more people are opting for online donation in India:
  • Instant and secure transactions. 
  • Digital receipts for tax filing. 
  • Flexibility to choose donation amount and frequency. 
  • Access to verified and reliable cause. 
  • Transparent tracking of fund usage. 
With a growing number of online donation sites in India, it’s easier than ever to find a cause that aligns with your values. 

Understanding Charitable Donation Tax Deduction 
Under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act of India, taxpayers can claim a deduction of the tax amount they are liable to pay based on the amount of donations they’ve made. However, the donation should be made to certain approved charitable institutions and NGOs. If that’s done, then the amount you donate can be deducted from the gross total income and hence will reduce the overall tax that you have to pay. 

Things to remember:

  • Only the donations that are made to eligible and registered NGOs are qualified for tax deduction. 
  • Deductions can be either 50% or 100% of the amount you donate, depending on the NGO.
  • There must be a valid receipt with the organisation’s PAN number and 80G registration details. 
  • Donations must be made via the banking channels (cash donations above ₹2,000 are not eligible). 
So, when you make an online donation in India, not only are you supporting a cause, you’re also making a smart financial move. 

How to Claim Tax Deduction for Donations?
Claiming tax deduction for donations is as simple as making a donation. Here’s the process to follow for the same:

  • Pick a verified and registered NGO for donating, and make sure that the NGO is registered under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act in India. 
  • Make sure that you make the transaction through a verified platform or the website directly. 
  • Never miss the receipt, and make sure that it has all the details, your name, date, amount, NGO PAN, and 80G certificate number. 
  • File your Income Tax Return (ITR), and while filing, declare the donation amount under Section 80G to avail deductions. 
  • Make sure that you keep your receipts handy because you may be required to provide proof in case of audits or queries from the Income Tax Department. 
Things to Keep in Mind for Smart Giving
While picking the right NGO or organisation to donate to, there are certain aspects that one needs to take care of, such as trust, transparency, and many more. Here are a few things that you should consider before donating:

  • Verify tax eligibility – Always check if the NGO is registered under 80G so that it’s eligible to get your income tax return. 
  • Check financial transparency – Keep a keen eye on whether the organisation is transparent or not. Reputable NGOs like Sightsavers India publish annual reports and impact summaries. 
  • Set up recurring donations – When you’re donating monthly, it makes sure that you’re sustaining the support. 
  • Track your donations – Maintain a digital or physical record of all receipts. 
Giving back always feels great, but knowing that your generosity can also provide financial benefits in return is even more rewarding. By choosing the right organisation through a secure online charity donation site, you can make sure that your money is going to a verified, impactful cause while also saving on taxes. 

So if you’ve been thinking of donating to a cause and making a difference, now’s the time. Pick wisely, make sure that you choose a trusted NGO like Sightsavers India, donate through an online platform securely, and you’ll be all set to enjoy the dual benefit of changing lives and saving money. 

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