Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 October 2011
21 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce the current €250 threshold for qualifying for tax relief on charitable donations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27643/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 allows tax relief at the marginal rate on donations made by either individuals or corporate bodies to eligible charities and other approved bodies. In order to qualify for the tax relief currently, a minimum donation of €250 must be made to the body concerned. The number of donors in respect of whom tax relief was claimed was approximately 155,000 in 2009. Reducing the threshold to allow tax relief on smaller donations, as the Deputy has proposed, could significantly increase the current cost of the scheme to the Exchequer.
Representatives of the charities sector estimated in 2005, that were the threshold to be reduced to €100, that it could double the cost of the scheme.
The tax relief available for donations is already very generous. There is no upper limit on the amount that can be donated generally and relief is granted at the donor's marginal rate of income tax. Donations can be cumulative, so that a donation of just €5 per week over the course of a year would qualify.
Reducing the threshold would greatly increase the administration overhead associated with the scheme. For example, many donors making such smaller donations may not be paying tax at all, but may not indicate this on the relevant form, with the result that the charitable body might claim a refund from Revenue on the basis that the donor is a PAYE taxpayer. The additional checking required and possible denial of the refund would increase the administrative burden all round.
The €250 threshold has not changed since it was introduced in 2002. Normal inflation levels effectively have reduced the value of the threshold over time. In addition, the donations scheme was introduced to encourage the donation of large sums of money to charities and certain other bodies. It was never envisaged that the scheme should subsidise smaller donations, which in all likelihood, would be made in any event.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Deputy will be aware that all tax reliefs and incentives are subject to regular review as part of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process. Any significant decisions taken by the Government to change such reliefs or incentives in this regard would normally be announced on Budget Day.
It is worth also noting that the Government has re-established the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising and it will be considering how philanthropy can be encouraged, including suggestions for tax changes.
