Tax Deductible Donations Explained

Did you know that a donation to a non-profit organisation is tax deductible?

So long as your chosen charity has deductible gift recipient (DGR) status, both individuals and businesses can receive tax deductions on any donation included in their annual tax return.

According to research by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), two in every three Australians give to charity annually, with the majority confident that their chosen charities have a positive influence on the country as a whole, on their local community, and internationally.

In fact, Australia was ranked at number 4 in terms of its generosity according to CAF’s annual World Giving Index.

Use our Tax Calculator below to estimate your tax savings this financial year.

Currently, it is estimated that 31,000 women in Ethiopia are living with a fistula injury. Many of these women are physically and socially isolated, left to suffer hidden and alone.

Hamlin’s Patient Identification Officers go door-to-door in rural and remote villages in Ethiopia, to find women with fistula and to bring them to the nearest Hamlin fistula hospital where fistula patients undergo fistula repair surgery.

Hamlin patients are treated free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

Your tax-deductible donation to continue Dr Catherine Hamlin‘s work will help us find and care for women in Ethiopia who needlessly suffer from fistula, a preventable childbirth injury.

Tax calculator for charity donations: calculate your potential tax benefit

Frequently asked questions about tax-deductible donations

Below are some basic questions answered. For more information visit the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website or contact a qualified accountant for advice tailored to your personal circumstances.

What is a tax-deductible donation?

For your donation to be tax deductible, it must be a gift or donation. This is when you voluntarily give money or property without receiving, or expecting to receive, any material benefit or advantage in return.

Your gift must also be made to a charitable organisation, like the Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation, which has deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.

When you claim a tax deduction on donations in your annual tax return, the donation amount will reduce your taxable income. That means the amount of tax you pay will also be reduced.

What donations can I claim?

Gifts of money greater than $2 are tax-deductible. There is no limit to how much you are allowed to donate to charity. Both donations and Gifts From the Heart are tax-deductible gifts.

Gifts or donations that provide you with a personal benefit cannot be claimed. This includes all products that you buy from the Hamlin Shop, with the exception of the tax-deductible Gifts From the Heart card range.

Who can make a tax-deductible donation?

Both individuals and businesses can make a donation and claim this as a tax deduction. You must make your donation before 30 June, in order to claim a tax benefit in the same financial year.

Are there limits on how much I can claim?

Generally, there are no limits on the donation amounts you can claim. However, if your claim creates a tax loss, you may have to make a claim over more than one year. You can find out more about claiming a deduction in your tax return at the ATO website.

When should I claim tax deductions on donations?

Keep the tax receipts of your donations throughout the financial year. You are welcome to contact the Hamlin Team at anytime if you need another copy.

At the time of submitting your annual individual or business tax return to the ATO, include the total amount that you have given to charity over the previous 12 months.

How do I receive a tax receipt?

After making a donation to Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation, an electronic tax receipt is emailed to you within 48 hours. Regular monthly donors will receive an annual tax receipt for their donations during the previous financial year in mid-July.

For any concerns about tax receipts for charity donations or other queries you can contact the Hamlin Team by emailing [email protected] or calling 02 9440 7001
(9am-5pm AEST Monday-Friday).

How can I donate?

You can donate online, over the phone or by mail. Make a donation to the Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation by 30 June so that you can make a claim in the current financial year.

Tax-time giving is more than just a means to reduce your taxable, it is an opportunity to transform the life of a woman in Ethiopia.

Your tax-deductible donation this end of financial year can help the Hamlin team eradicate fistula. Forever.