We welcome tax deductible and non tax deductible donations but many are unaware of the difference between the two types of donations. Tax Deductible donations are strictly limited in how the money can be used - under the Australian Government and Australian Taxation Office limitations, the Church can only spend Tax Deductible donations on educational building facilities such within Sunday School, but with defined rules.

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Non Tax Deductible donations enter the churches General Account which is the main account and the one most used. All outgoing expenses such as electricity, water rates, gas, maintenance, vehicle finance and wages are paid from that account. 

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Below is an extract from a statement the Diocese Finance Committee released explaining donations:

 

"We encourage parishioners to donate into the General Account. They may donate a percentage of the total intended amount to donate, e.g. donate $7 rather than $10 and therefore the donor will save the tax benefit up front. Clearly the Church will get less as an amount, but will have more in the general account which is used the most. Explanation: if I am willing to donate $10 to School building fund account and asking for a tax receipt to get $3 tax rebate (for example) from the tax office, it is better to pay $7 to the church general account (without tax receipt) and the donor keeps $3 upfront. That will increase the balance of the general account, which is the mostly used account by the church and therefore avoid the limitations placed on the use of School Building fund accounts"