It really comes down to which causes matter to you most, and which organisations

you think will be the most effective.

Charity Checklist

• If you're making a donation to an overseas aid organisation, check that it's a member of ACFID and, more importantly, a signatory to its Code of Conduct.

• For domestic charities and commercial fundraisers, ask if they're a member of the FIA and are registered with the ACNC.

• Check that the charity is licensed by its state or territory regulator. Each state has different exemptions. In some states, religious organisations don't need to be registered, for example.

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Claiming Tax Deductions

• Charity donations can be claimed on your tax return if your charity is registered as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). This doesn't affect the amount of money the charity actually receives, just what you're entitled to deduct at tax time.

• There are conditions about what you can claim. Donations must be at least $2 and you'll need a receipt. Some gifts to DGRs – such as tickets to a charity dinner or ball – are generally not eligible.

• You can check if an organisation is a DGR via the ABN lookup website. There's also information about the deductibility of donations at the ATO.

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