Timor-Leste: Dili: Pedrito Vieira (Kordenador Nasional Rede ba Rai), the National Coordinator of Rede ba Rai at their office. Photo: Patrick Moran/Oxfam
Potential tax benefits of donating to a charity with DGR status
When you donate to a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, you may be able to claim that donation as a tax deduction. This could mean a reduced tax bill or a better tax refund at the end of the financial year.
The benefits of donating are real and practical.
But there's something else to think about, too: even when you claim a tax deduction, Oxfam Australia receives the full amount of your donation.
Choosing where to give is just as important as choosing how much.
This guide covers everything you need to know — what qualifies, what doesn't, how to claim, and how to give with confidence.
According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), your donation must meet certain conditions before you can claim it as a deduction at tax time:
It must be made to a Deductible Gift Recipient.
A Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) is an organisation endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to receive donations that are tax deductible. Not all charities are DGRs. Oxfam Australia is a DGR. If a charity does not have DGR status, donations to it generally cannot be claimed as a tax deduction.
It must be a genuine gift. You must give voluntarily without receiving anything of material value in return. (Token items like a lapel pin, wristband or promotion sticker generally don’t disqualify a donation).
You must keep a receipt or record. A valid receipt should include the charity's name, ABN, the amount, the date, and confirmation that it is a gift. An email confirmation, bank statement or annual giving summary is usually sufficient.
Good to know: Oxfam Australia is a registered DGR, so any donations may be claimed at tax time.
The amount you can claim depends on the type of donation you make.
Cash donations
Cash donations to a DGR-registered charity may be claimed in full. Keep your receipt to claim a tax deduction.
Regular giving
Monthly direct debits and other recurring donations to a DGR are also tax-deductible. Most charities send an annual tax summary at EOFY to simplify your claim.
Shares and property
Shares and property may be tax-deductible under specific conditions. Because the rules are complex, review Gift types, requirements and valuation rules from the ATO and speak to a registered tax advisor before proceeding.
What you can't claim
Understanding what doesn't qualify is just as important as knowing what does. Here are the most common scenarios where you can’t claim a tax deduction:
Raffle tickets and event entries
If you receive something of value in return for your payment, it’s not a genuine gift and you can’t claim it as a deduction. Think about things like a raffle ticket, a spot at a fundraising dinner, or merchandise.
Crowdfunding contributions
Donations to crowdfunding campaigns are generally not tax-deductible unless the campaign is run by a registered DGR. Always check DGR status before donating if you plan to claim a deduction.
What are the potential tax savings?
A tax deduction reduces your taxable income, and you pay tax on the reduced amount. Your potential tax savings depend on your marginal tax rate and other factors. Because everyone’s circumstances are different, you should always speak to your legal or tax advisor about your individual circumstances.
Let’s look at two examples of donations and tax deductions.
Individual
If you earn $80,000 and donate $500 to a DGR charity, you may only be taxed as if you earned $79,500. At a 30% marginal tax rate, that's an estimated saving of around $150. So, you're out of pocket $350 while the charity receives the full $500.
Business
How to claim a deduction at tax time
Before claiming a donation at tax time, it’s worth checking a few key details. There are certain conditions that must be met for a donation or gift to be tax deductible, including:
The end of financial year is the best time to review your giving.
Donate before 30 June.
To claim your donation in this year's tax return, give before the end of the financial year.
Set up monthly giving. Regular donations add up over the year and are worth counting at tax time. Most charities send a tax summary at EOFY to simplify your claim.
Keep all your receipts. Save email confirmations or download your annual statement.
Use a calculator.
Why give to Oxfam Australia?
Thanks to the generous support of people like you, Oxfam Australia worked with more than 1.4 million people in 33 countries (including more than 740,000 women) in 2024–25.
Your support means Oxfam and our partners can plan ahead, respond quickly and stay with communities for as long as we’re needed (not just during emergencies, but in the years that follow).
Donations to Oxfam Australia are tax-deductible. But the real value lies in what your donation makes possible. It strengthens community-led solutions: clean water systems, climate adaptation, support for people displaced by conflict, and programs that advance gender equality and economic justice.
All of which help tackle the inequalities that keep people in poverty.
FAQ: Tax benefits of donating
There are certain conditions that must be met for a donation or gift to be tax deductible.
For example, the donation or gift must be made to an Australian Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). Not all charities are DGRs. Oxfam Australia is a DGR.
The donation or gift must truly be a donation or gift (a voluntary transfer where you receive no material benefit or advantage), must be money or property (this can include financial assets such as shares), and must comply with any other conditions that are applicable (for example, when giving gifts of property).
Donated goods and services
Only donations of money or property (this can include financial assets such as shares) are tax deductible.
Donations where there is no record
If there’s no receipt or record linking a donation to your name, you can’t claim a deduction. Always ensure donations are made in your name and that you receive a receipt.
A company donating $2,000 to a DGR charity may reduce its taxable income by $2,000 in that financial year. At a corporate tax rate of 25%, that's an estimated saving of around $500, while the charity receives the full donation.
Disclaimer: The above examples are illustrative and general in nature. This should not be relied upon and is not legal or tax advice. The above figures are based on current income tax rates in Australia and do not take into account the Medicare Levy or other factors which may be relevant to you. Because everyone’s circumstances are different, you should always speak to your legal or tax advisor about your individual circumstances.
These are estimates only. Individual outcomes depend on your specific income, tax rate and circumstances. In some cases, you may also elect to spread a large tax-deductible gift over up to five income years.
Use our simple tax deduction calculator to get an idea of the potential tax savings from a donation to an Australian Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) such as Oxfam Australia.
. Many charities with DGR status will also state on their donation page whether gifts are tax-deductible.
2. Make your donation
Donate using any payment method (credit card, direct debit, bank transfer or cheque). If you're donating online, save the confirmation page. For regular giving, set up a direct debit so your donations happen automatically throughout the year.
3. Keep your receipt
Keep a record of your donation. A valid receipt includes the charity's name, its ABN, the amount donated, the date, and confirmation that it is a gift.
For regular donations, most charities send an annual tax summary around EOFY.
4. Claim it in your tax return
Claim the donation in your tax return. If you use an accountant, simply provide your receipts or annual giving summary.
5. Keep your records for five years
Ensure you keep tax records for five years after lodging your return. Store your receipts, digital or paper, somewhere you can easily find them.
Use our simple tax deduction calculator to get an idea of the potential tax savings from a donation to an Australian Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) such as Oxfam Australia.
These are complex challenges shaped by long-held systems that require sustained, reliable funding. Thanks to our generous supporters, families are growing more food, earning a living, accessing clean water and toilets, living healthier, safer lives and having their voices heard. Their contribution has made a positive difference to the lives of people around the world. Yours will too.
Generally, no. Donations to personal crowdfunding campaigns are generally not tax-deductible unless the campaign is run by a registered DGR. Always verify DGR status before donating if you intend to claim a deduction.
Yes, but only your share. If you and a partner donate $200 from a joint account, you can each claim $100. You cannot claim the full amount.
Salary sacrifice and workplace giving are different arrangements; see our guide to giving through your pay for a full explanation of how each works.
If you have other evidence (a bank statement, credit card record or PayPal confirmation) the ATO may still accept it. You may even be able to contact your DGR charity for a copy of your receipt. It's always best to keep official records where you can.
The ATO allows a total tax deduction of up to $10 for small cash donations to DGR bucket collections without a receipt. For any other donation, or for amounts over $10, a receipt or other acceptable evidence is required.
No. You can only claim donations you made yourself, from your own income. If a donation was made from a joint account, the person claiming it must have contributed the funds.
