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Tax-deductible donations

Every time you donate to charity you perform a special act of kindness and compassion that can make a real difference to someone in their time of need. The Australian government supports charitable giving by offering a tax deduction for some types of donations. These donations can reduce the amount of income tax you have to pay when you file your tax return.

How to reduce your income tax with donations

You can claim a tax deduction for donations of $2 or more, as long as these donations are made to an organisation that has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a deductible gift recipient (DGR). The Smith Family, is a registered charity, sub-type public benevolent institution, and has DGR status so your donation will be tax deductible.
Sophie sitting with a book

Use the charity tax calculator to calculate the tax deduction you could receive by donating to THE SMITH FAMILY





Disclaimer: You may be eligible for a tax deduction for your charitable donation over $2. These figures are based on current ATO resident individual Income Tax rates and do not include the Medicare Levy of 2%. The amounts shown in the charity tax benefit calculator above are a guide only and atotaxcalculator.com.au does not provide legal or tax advice.You should always seek independent financial advice.

Disclaimer: You may be eligible for a tax deduction at tax time for your charitable donation over $2. These figures are based on current ATO resident individual Income Tax rates and do not include the Medicare Levy of 2%. The amounts shown in the charity tax benefit calculator above are a guide only and The Smith Family does not provide legal or tax advice. Calculator created with the Australian Tax Office available tax deduction figures by ATO Tax Calculator. ATO Tax Calculator are not affiliated with the Australian Tax Office and have provided The Smith Family use of the above calculator for general purposes only. You should always consider your personal circumstances and, if necessary, seek independent financial advice before donating.

4 STEPS TO MAKE TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS

Illustration of 4 step process to make a tax deductible donation

Step 1 – Select a  charity that has DGR status

Check for DGR status and find out what impact your gift will have.

You can check this by using the Australian Business Register.

Step 2  – Make your donation

It’s often easiest to donate online or by phone.

Step 3 – Keep your receipt

You should keep all records of tax deductible gifts.

Step 4 – Claim your tax deduction

Claim your donation when you file your next tax return from 1 July.

Gift to donations

As Australia’s largest national education-oriented charity, our learning and mentoring programs help children in need to fit in at school, keep up with their peers, and gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Find out more

FAQs

You can donate to The Smith Family in a few different ways. Our main donation types are a one off donation, a monthly donation and via our child sponsorship program.

Donations over $2 are tax deductible. You can only claim a tax deduction for gifts or donations to organisations that have the status of deductible gift recipients (DGRs). To claim a deduction, you must be the person that gives the gift or donation and it must meet the following 4 conditions: It must be to a DGR, It must truly be a gift or donation, it must be of money or property and it must comply with any relevant gift conditions. More information on donations is available on the ATO website. Make sure you keep your donation receipt for tax time.

Over the five years to June 2022, 71% of funds raised from individual supporters and partner organisations has been spent on our community programs. In the last year our work reached more than 159,753 children and young people in need in 91 communities across Australia, thanks to the support of caring Australians. You can read more about how we use our finances here.

The Smith Family is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. The Smith Family is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission(ACNC). The Smith Family has an Australian Business Number (ABN) of 28 000 030 179 and is a registered charity. Donations made to The Smith Family are tax deductible.

You can file your tax return for the financial year ending 30 June after 1 July, when the new financial year begins. You can fill out a paper form or file your return online via the ATO website. Include your donation to The Smith Family in section D9 (Gifts and Donations) – and keep the receipt we send you for your donation with your records, as evidence to support your claim.

The value of your tax deduction will depend on the amount you earn and the rate of tax you pay. You can find more information on the ATO website or check with your accountant or tax agent if you have one.

Usually, you can claim the full amount of a tax deduction over $2 that you make to a DGR for the financial year in which the donation is made. Your deduction for a gift is not allowed to create a tax loss. In these circumstances, you may need to spread your claim over two or more years. You should seek independent advice if you have questions about how much you can claim in a financial year.

No. The Smith Family will receive the full amount of your gift to help young Australians in need to succeed at school, so they can create better futures for themselves.

Absolutely. Just as individuals can claim donations as a tax deduction, businesses can claim gifts to charity – as long as it is a cash gift and the charity is a deductible gift recipient. More information is available on the Australia Taxation Office website.

You can check this by using https://abr.business.gov.au/

HOW YOUR DONATION WILL HELP A STUDENT

student showing rocket for show and tell in classroom science project

Future Seekers

Our Future Seekers program provides students with interactive opportunities to explore the world of work.

With 71% of students reporting a greater initial understanding of the diversity of jobs5, Leah too can receive guidance on how to best use his strengths and interests to pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut.  
student receiving school help on laptop from childrens charity worker

Learning Clubs

Your tax-deductible donation can support Leah to access help with his maths from dedicated and skilled volunteer tutors in our out-of-school Learning Club to help him catch up, keep up and build confidence with his schoolwork.

84% of students said going to our Learning Club makes them try harder at school.4

Wal and Tri working on the computer

iTrack Mentoring Program

iTrack is a mentoring program matching a student in Years 9 to 11 to a trained mentor, who gives them guidance about study options and career paths.

79% of students who participated in iTrack said they are more positive about their future career and study options.

Only certain donations qualify for a tax deduction. You cannot claim a deduction if you receive a personal benefit for your donation (for example if you buy a raffle ticket, buy merchandise or pay to attend a gala event). The ATO provides more information about gifts and donations.

This article contains general information only. It does not take into account your personal or financial circumstances. You should obtain independent professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances and issues if you need clarification of any matter.