Irish Charities Tax Reform Group is a leadership organization working on behalf of charities to enhance the conditions for a vibrant and independent charity sector in Ireland.    ICTRG promotes the implementation of policies to optimize the financial value of donations (by charity friendly tax reform) and underpin public and donor confidence in charities.

Our sister organisation ICTR has carried out research on VAT and Charities, tax relief on donations and, on how regulation of fundraising by means of Codes of Practice can work in Ireland.    ICTR has been closely involved at all stages of the development of the Charities Act 2009 and is now firmly focused on implementation issues.

ICTR are Seeking Charity Fundraisers to participate in Implementation Group

Closing Date 30th June 2009

The final Feasibility Report published in May 2008 sets out a scheme to develop Codes of Good Practice on the operational and administrative aspects of fundraising by charities and also makes recommendations on bringing this scheme into operation. This includes the setting up of an Implementation Group made up of representatives of the charities sector and the relevant statutory agencies with an independent input to represent donors and also that the Implementation Group should draw on support from professionals specialising in this area (e.g. fundraisers, accounting and legal).  Learn about the research that led to the feasibility report.

At the invitation of the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, ICTR has been asked to bring the proposed scheme into operation and is now moving to set up the Implementation Group.

In order to engage representatives from the charities sector, individuals with relevant experience are invited to apply for membership of the Implementation Group. Up to three individuals are being sought from the charities sector through this process. A further two charity sector representatives will be invited to participate, one each from the Irish Fundraisers Forum for Direct Recruitment and Fundraising Ireland.

Application for membership of the Implementation Group (Word Doc 52kb)

Our major achievements to date are:

• The introduction of a comprehensive system of tax relief for all donations above €250, with no upper limit, to Eligible Charities in 2001
• The extension of income tax relief to gifts of publicly quoted shares to charities in 2006

We are now working to:

• Remove the VAT burden on charities through the introduction of a VAT compensation scheme by government (see our vat campaign website www.vatcampaign.com)
• Reduce the minimum donation eligible for tax relief to €100, with a view to removing a minimum altogether
• To remove the new tax relief restrictions for high earners on donations to charities
• Extend tax relief to other non-cash donations (such as property and gifts in kind)
• Ensure that the forthcoming Charities legislation underpins public confidence in the sector, whilst accommodating the needs of charities