Income tax: tax deductible gifts - what is a gift

This Ruling explains what is a gift for the purposes of the gift deduction provisions (Division 30 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997)).

The Ruling does not seek to substitute a quasi-definition for the meaning of the word 'gift'. It provides principles relevant to the factual determination of whether a particular transfer of money or property constitutes a gift. In the explanations the judicial background to these principles is outlined, and includes examples illustrating how the principles may be applied.

The Ruling also explains the operation of section 78A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936) in relation to gifts. Section 78A identifies the circumstances under which a gift to a deductible gift recipient (DGR) is not an allowable deduction under Division 30 of the ITAA 1997.

The Ruling does not apply to contributions made to registered political parties, as provided for by item 3 of the table in section 30-15 of the ITAA 1997. Except for the issue dealt with in paragraph 21, the Ruling does not apply to claims for income tax deductions made under section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997 (the general deduction provision).

The Ruling does not deal with the provisions set out in items 7 and 8 of the table in section 30-15(2) concerning deductions for contributions relating to fund-raising events which apply from 1 July 2004.

Division 30 of the ITAA 1997 provides that the types of non-testamentary gifts (to the value of $2 or more) to a DGR that can be deductible include: • money; • property (including trading stock) purchased during the 12 months before the gift was made; • property valued by the Commissioner at more than $5,000; • an item of trading stock disposed of outside the ordinary course of business; • property under the Cultural Gifts Program; or • gifts of places listed in the Register of the National Estate.

For the purpose of calculating the amount that is deductible in respect of a gift, the Division provides rules for valuing gifts and for spreading deductions over 5 years or less.

Division 30 of the ITAA 1997 is subject to the operation of section 78A of the ITAA 1936 which strengthens the conditions under which deductions are available and denies deductions for ostensible gifts made as part of tax avoidance arrangements or schemes.

Division 30 of the ITAA 1997 applies to gifts made in the 1997-1998 and subsequent years of income. For gifts made in the 1996-1997 or earlier years of income, deductibility is provided for by section 78 of the ITAA 1936.

This Ruling applies to years of income commencing both before and after its date of issue. However, the Ruling does not apply to taxpayers to the extent that it conflicts with the terms of settlement of a dispute agreed to before the date of issue of the Ruling (see paragraphs 21 and 22 of Taxation Ruling TR 92/20).

Taxation Rulings IT 2071, IT 2265, IT 2443, and Taxation Determinations TD 92/110, TD 93/57, TD 93/139 and TD 93/185 are incorporated in this Ruling and so are withdrawn from the date of issue of this Ruling.

The term 'gift' is not defined in the ITAA 1997. For the purposes of Division 30 of the ITAA 1997 the word 'gift' has its ordinary meaning.

Rather than attempting a definition of gift, the courts have described a gift as having the following characteristics and features: • there is a transfer of the beneficial interest in property; • the transfer is made voluntarily; • the transfer arises by way of benefaction; and • no material benefit or advantage is received by the giver by way of return.

In doing so, the courts have recognised that the criteria may not be absolute and may involve a matter of degree.

In determining whether a transfer is a gift it is necessary to consider the whole set of circumstances surrounding the transfer and this may include consideration of parties other than the giver and the DGR. It is the substance and reality of the transfer that has to be ascertained. It is therefore necessary to take account of those acts, transactions, arrangements and circumstances that provide the context and the explanation for the transfer.

The making of a gift to a DGR involves the transfer of a beneficial interest in property to that DGR.

It is a requirement that identifiable property has in fact been transferred to the DGR.

For there to be a transfer, the property which belonged to the giver must become the property of the DGR. A gift is effectual only where the giver has done everything that is necessary, in accordance with the relevant laws governing the transfer of that kind of property, to transfer ownership to the DGR. Where an owner gives only part of what is owned (for example, ten of fifty hectares of land, or 200 shares of a parcel of 800 shares), only the part that is transferred (the ten hectares, or the 200 shares) can be a gift.

If the DGR fails to obtain immediate and unconditional right of custody and control of the property transferred, or less than full title to the transferred property is transferred, a gift deduction will not arise. This will be by reason of the meaning of gift, and/or by reason of the operation of section 78A of the ITAA 1936. [1]

An exception is provided for in relation to cultural and heritage gifts under items 4, 5 and 6 of the table in section 30-15 of the ITAA 1997. Where the terms and conditions of the gift of the property are such that the DGR does not have immediate custody and control or unconditional rights to retain custody and control of, or full legal title to, the gifted property, a reduced deduction is allowable under section 30-220 of the ITAA 1997. Taxation Rulings TR 96/1 and IT 295 explain the procedures and valuation method for these gifts.

The provision of services to a DGR by a volunteer does not constitute a gift, as the ordinary meaning of property does not include services. Any expenditure incurred by the volunteer in the course of providing the unpaid services does not constitute a gift. Nor is it deductible under section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997 as a loss or outgoing incurred in gaining or producing assessable income.

Of course, where a volunteer does make a gift of money or other property to a DGR, the fact that the giver is a volunteer does not prevent it being a tax deductible gift.

In order for a transfer of property to be a gift, it must be made voluntarily, that is, it must be the act and will of the giver, and there must be nothing to interfere with or control the exercise of that will. However, a transfer made under a sense of moral obligation is still made voluntarily.

A transfer is not made voluntarily if it is made for consideration or because of a prior obligation imposed on the giver by statute or by contract. Nonetheless, a transfer which has the other attributes of a gift will not fail to be considered a voluntary transfer merely because the means used to give effect to the benefaction have contractual or similar features.

A transfer is not made voluntarily in a case where the giver is offered a choice of making a purported gift to the DGR where: • the choice is offered as an alternative to discharging or reducing the giver's contractual obligation to the DGR or an associate of the DGR; and • the choice, once exercised, has the effect of discharging or reducing the giver's contractual obligation owed to the DGR or associate of the DGR.

A transfer is not made voluntarily in a case where the purported gift to a DGR made by the giver has the effect of discharging or reducing a prior contractual obligation of the giver's associate.

An essential attribute of a gift is that benefaction is intended, and in fact conferred on the recipient. Conferring benefaction means that the DGR is advantaged in a material sense, to the extent of the property transferred to them, without any countervailing detriment arising from the terms of the transfer.

Where the giver is aware that the transfer of property will result in detriments, disadvantages, obligations, liabilities or limitations to the recipient, the attribute of benefaction may be missing. Whether benefaction is in fact conferred will depend to a large extent on the proportion which the detriment, disadvantage, obligation, liability or limitation bears to the value of the property transferred.

However, detriments, disadvantages, obligations, liabilities, or limitations borne by the recipient which are not within the knowledge and intention of the giver at the time of the transfer, and which do not arise from the terms of the transfer of property by the giver, do not necessarily preclude a finding that the conferral of benefaction was associated with the transfer.

Detriments that are immaterial in comparison with the value of the transfer will not preclude a finding that the transfer arises from benefaction.

Transfers of property which are made to a DGR on condition that the property in turn will be transferred to a second entity raise concerns as to whether benefaction has been conferred on the DGR. If the effect of the condition is that the DGR is merely an agent or trustee to pass the transferred property on to another organisation, it is evident that no benefaction will in fact be conferred on the DGR itself. It is also evident that where the second entity is a non-DGR no benefaction is conferred on any DGR. [2]

Where the first entity is a public fund DGR, and the second entity is a DGR, concerns may arise as to whether the condition attaching to the donation has created a separate fund which is not entitled to be endorsed as a public fund. This situation is discussed in TD 2004/23.

However, it is accepted that there is a conferral of benefaction on the DGR in the case where the transfer of property is made to a DGR with a stated preference for the property to be in turn transferred to a second entity. This is on the basis that the DGR receives the property in its own right and has an unfettered discretion in deciding whether or not to apply the property in accordance with the preference expressed by the giver. [3]

A gift ordinarily proceeds from a detached and disinterested generosity. There may be a variety of reasons and motivations behind the giver making a gift. However, the fact that the giver has a personal motive for making the gift, such as a strong interest or emotional involvement in the work of the DGR, will not disqualify the gift from being tax deductible.

A motive of seeking a tax deduction does not, by itself, disqualify a transfer from being a gift.

In cases where it is clear on the objective facts that the giver is giving effect to self-interested commercial or fiscal objectives rather than conferring benefaction on the DGR, it will be evident that the transfer does not proceed from detached and disinterested generosity.

In order to constitute a gift, the giver must not receive a benefit or an advantage of a material nature by way of return. It does not matter whether the material benefit or advantage comes from the DGR or another party.

Any benefit that is received (or is reasonably expected to be received) by an associate of the giver has to be taken into account in determining whether a transfer falls within the provisions of paragraph 78A(2)(c) of the ITAA 1936. [5]

As well as any benefit or advantage received as a result of or in connection with a transfer of property, paragraph 78A(2)(c) of the ITAA 1936 also refers to any right or privilege (apart from the tax deduction that may be allowable) that the giver or giver's associate may receive as disqualifying the transfer from being a gift. [6]

The giver may still be regarded as having received a material benefit in a case where the value of the benefit to the giver is less than the value of the property transferred. In these circumstances it is not accepted that the value of the benefit received can be notionally deducted from the value of the property transferred and the net balance claimed as a gift. No part of the property transferred is considered a gift. [7]

Only advantages or benefits that are material will disqualify a transfer of property from being regarded as a gift. This excludes advantages or benefits of a de minimis nature.

It is a question of fact in each case whether any benefit or advantage is considered material. A benefit or advantage can be material if there is a link between the benefit and the transfer, and the benefit is sufficiently significant in relation to the value of the transfer.

Each of these is not a material benefit or advantage: • one that has no link with the transfer; • one that is insignificant in relation to the value of the transfer; • one that only constitutes advertising for the DGR; • one that cannot be put to use and is not marketable; • one that does not create any rights, or confer any privileges or entitlements; • one that merely accounts for the use of the funds; • one that is mere public recognition of the giver's generosity; or • one that confers membership of a DGR which was neither sought nor known by the giver at the time of making the transfer.

Some circumstances which may lead to a conclusion that a benefit or advantage is material are where: • the benefit is sought by the giver in connection with the transfer; • as a result of the transfer, a legal obligation is eliminated or reduced; • the benefit is offered by the DGR as an inducement to potential givers; • there is public recognition for purposes of commercial advertising for the giver; • membership rights and privileges are obtained as a result of transfer; or • there is a requirement to report to the giver on results of research undertaken by the DGR and the results are to be used by the giver.

Even if a particular transfer of property may arguably be a gift, the anti-avoidance provisions of section 78A of the ITAA 1936 may apply. Where that section applies, an income tax deduction for the gift will not be allowable under Division 30 of the ITAA 1997.

Section 78A does not apply to deny deductions for genuine gifts made under ordinary circumstances.

Section 78A applies where by reason of the making or receipt of the gift or any scheme or arrangement associated with the gift: • the amount or value of the benefit derived by the DGR as a consequence of the gift is, or will be, or may reasonably be expected to be, diminished subsequent to the receipt of the gift (paragraph 78A(2)(a)); • another fund, authority or institution, other than the recipient DGR makes, or becomes liable to make, or may reasonably be expected to make a payment, or transfer property to any person or incur any other detriment, disadvantage, liability or obligation (paragraph 78A(2)(b)); • the giver or the giver's associate obtains, or will obtain, or may reasonably be expected to obtain any benefit, advantage, right or privilege apart from the benefit of a tax saving associated with the gift deduction (paragraph 78A(2)(c)); or • the recipient DGR or another fund, authority or institution acquires property, directly or indirectly, from the giver or the giver's associate (paragraph 78A(2)(d)).

The provision applies to purported gifts if there is considerably reduced benefaction in fact conferred upon the recipient DGR arising from the transfer of the property, or alternatively, if the benefit of the transfer was obtained by the recipient DGR, another (associated) fund, authority or institution bears obligations as a result of the transfer. It also applies if the benefit associated with the transfer of the property is returned either wholly or in part to the giver or the giver's associate.

Paragraphs 78A(2)(a), (b) or (c) apply if the diminished benefit or the obligations arising on the part of the recipient DGR or another fund, authority or institution happen by reason of any act, transaction or circumstance that has occurred, or will occur, or may reasonably be expected to occur as part of, or in connection with, or as a result of: • the making or receipt of the gift; or • any scheme or agreement entered into in association with the making or receipt of the gift.

In characterising a transfer of property, paragraph 78A(2)(c) requires consideration to be taken not only of any advantage or benefit received by the giver but also by the associate of the giver. While the receipt of any material advantage or benefit by the giver disqualifies a transfer from being considered a gift, paragraph 78A(2)(c) extends the range of benefits which precludes tax deductibility to include any right or privilege obtained as a result of the transfer.

The net result is that the DGR obtains a benefit that is considerably less in comparison with the nominal value of the property transferred and for which the giver seeks a tax deduction. Section 78A operates in these circumstances to deny the whole of the deduction for the purported gift.

Where the reduction in the amount or value of the benefit received by the DGR is the result only of the DGR having to incur genuine expenses associated with the soliciting of the gift, section 78A does not apply to deny the deduction to the giver.

Subsection 78A(3) deems a benefit to be received by the giver or the associate of the giver in relation to a gift of property other than money where the terms and conditions on which the gift is made are such that they: • fail to give unencumbered legal and equitable title to the DGR; • allow title to the property to be defeased upon fulfilment of the terms and conditions governing the transfer, so that the property reverts to the ownership of the giver or associate of the giver; • fail to give immediate custody and control over the property to the DGR; or • fail to give unconditional rights of custody and control over the property to the DGR.

Subsection 78A(3) does not apply to heritage and cultural gifts under item 4, 5 or 6 of the table in section 30-15 of the ITAA 1997.

The Commissioner may amend the assessment at any time to give effect to the application of section 78A.

In considering the gift deduction provisions of the ITAA 1936, the courts have applied the ordinary meaning of 'gift'. In Federal Commissioner of Taxation v. McPhail (1968) 117 CLR 111 ( McPhail ), Owen J said, at 116, it is 'used in the sense in which it is understood in ordinary parlance'. In Leary v. FC of T 80 ATC 4438; (1980) 11 ATR 145 ( Leary ), Bowen CJ said: 'The context and the obvious intention of the section suggests that it is used in its ordinary non-technical sense'. [8] This meaning also applies in the gift deduction provisions as re-written in the ITAA 1997.

As the courts have recognised that any clear, unqualified definition may not be possible, they have sought to characterise a transfer in question by reference to the presence or otherwise of the usual attributes of a 'gift'.

The courts have described a gift as having certain specified attributes. If a transfer fails to have one or more of these attributes, the transfer will not ordinarily be considered a gift. [9]

The characterisation of a transfer as a gift 'falls to be determined by reference to the overall arrangements and transactions which constituted its context'. [10] The enquiry is directed at ascertaining the substance and reality of the transfer. [11] It is therefore essential not only to focus on the transfer of the property between the giver and the DGR, but also to take account of any associated transactions, agreements and arrangements involving the giver's associate(s), the DGR's associate(s), the promoter and the promoter's associate(s).

The various attributes of a gift are discussed separately for convenience of presentation only. It is recognised that the examples that are provided to illustrate each attribute of a gift in turn are frequently illustrative of the other attributes as well.

The making of a gift to a DGR involves the transfer of money or property [12] to that DGR: section 30-15 of the ITAA 1997. In the simplest cases this involves the delivery of money (cash, cheque or electronic transfer of funds) or goods to the DGR.

In each case it is necessary to ascertain whether a transfer has occurred, what property has been transferred, and when the transfer took place. This is to ensure that ownership of identifiable property has been divested and has been transferred to the DGR (c.f., Re Rose (dec'd); Rose v. Inland Revenue Commissioners [1952] 1 All ER 1217).

In Milroy v. Lord , Turner LJ said that for a gift to be valid and effectual, the giver: must have done everything which according to the nature of the property comprised in the settlement, was necessary to be done in order to transfer the property and render the settlement binding upon him. [13]

E owns shares in a company. In August 2003 he purports to assign by deed to a DGR a gift of all dividends arising during the next ten years from the shares. E has not made a gift of a right to the dividends in August 2003, because the assignment was not effective. A dividend which may become payable in the future is a mere expectancy which cannot be equitably assigned without consideration: Norman v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1962-1963) 109 CLR 9.

On a telethon P calls a DGR to say she will give $500. She later forgets about it and never in fact gives anything to the DGR. P has not transferred the $500 to the DGR.

B wants to help a particular DGR. She opens a bank account for herself and deposits $50 in it each fortnight, intending to give the balance to the DGR each quarter. The making of deposits to her bank account does not transfer any property to the DGR. It is only when she transfers the money to the DGR that she can claim a tax deductible gift.

K is approached by an employee of a DGR to make a gift to it as part of its annual fundraising campaign. She gives $20 to the employee and receives the DGR's receipt. However, the employee steals the money and never passes it on to the DGR. Despite this, K has transferred the $20 to the DGR.

R participates in a workplace-giving program, as described in Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2002/15, 'Evidence for making of a gift by a taxpayer who participates in a workplace giving program'. His employer has entered into arrangements with a number of DGRs. Under the program his employer withholds $20 from his weekly wage and passes it on to the DGR he has nominated. His PAYG payment summary for the financial year ended 30 June 2004 shows that his deductions in respect of gifts to the nominated DGR total $1,040. R has made a gift of money to the DGR during that financial year. The amount of $1,040 shown on his PAYG payment summary is sufficient to support his claim for a deduction in his tax return.

For there to be a tax deductible gift, the giver must have proprietary rights in the property just prior to its transfer (for example, see AAT Case 6919 (1991) 91 ATC 257; (1991) 22 ATR 3166). Upon the transfer, ownership in the property moves from the giver to the DGR.

M is the sole shareholder and managing director of her private company. The company owns a boat. M delivers it to a DGR as a gift such that it becomes the property of the DGR. While there has been a transfer of property to the DGR, and while M was involved in the transfer, it is not M herself who has made the gift. The boat was never her property, so she is unable personally to gift it to the DGR. However the company may have made a gift if M transferred the boat in her capacity as managing director and if there are no other disqualifying factors. [14]

T owns land. Whilst continuing to own the land, she grants, by deed, a 20 year lease over the land to a DGR with no premium or rent payable. T has not made a gift of the lease to the DGR. While the DGR obtains a proprietary interest in the land as a result of the grant of the lease, which is personal property, T has not transferred this personal property to the DGR. She herself was never the owner of that personal property (see Commr of Taxes (Qld) v. Camphin (1937) 4 ATD 315; 57 CLR 127; 1 AITR 147).

R Pty Ltd is a company. It allots and issues 20,000 $1 ordinary shares to a DGR for no consideration. R Pty Ltd has not made a gift of the shares. Before allotment a share does not exist as a piece of property; it is only when it is allotted and issued that the rights which it confers are created. When a share is allotted, nothing is transferred or conveyed from the company to the shareholder (see Ord Forrest Pty Ltd v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1974) 130 CLR 124 at 148; (1974) 4 ATR 230 at 237; 74 ATC 4034 at 4041 per Gibbs J).

In 2000 G acquired a 20-year leasehold interest in a pastoral property. In 2003 G prepaid the lease fees for the remainder of the lease term and by deed assigned his rights in the lease to an indigenous DGR for no consideration. His transferred rights in the lease were valued by the Commissioner at $100,000. G is entitled to a deduction of $100,000 in respect of this gift to the DGR.

As a result of the transfer, the giver loses and the DGR receives the benefits associated with ownership (that is custody and control) and/or equitable interest in the property transferred. Where the giver only transfers a nominal or legal title to the property, there is no gift of that property.

Where the giver transfers only part of their interest in the property to the DGR, the giver is entitled to a tax deduction only in respect of their transferred interest.

D owns a two third interest in a rental warehouse. She transfers half of her interest to a DGR. Only the one third interest transferred can be a tax deductible gift.

Upon the transfer, the DGR must receive full title, custody and control of the property transferred, so that the DGR is entitled to deal with the property in its own right to the entire exclusion of the giver. [15] Subsection 78A(3) extends the exclusion to include the giver's associate. [16]

In December 2003 M executes a deed of gift in favour of a DGR, under which he binds himself to give it $10,000 on 1 January 2007. Because there is only a promise, albeit under deed, the $10,000 has not been transferred to the DGR in December 2003.

S owns a warehouse which he lets. After discussions with an educational DGR, he executes a deed of trust under which he settles ownership of the warehouse property on the DGR to hold it solely for the benefit of an associated non-DGR. Despite S having transferred the legal interest in the warehouse to a DGR, the DGR has no beneficial interest in it. S cannot claim the transfer as a tax deductible gift.

L hands over a computer to a DGR, on the basis that it will simply act as her agent in passing the computer on to a particular school which is not a DGR. The DGR agrees to the condition and passes it on to the school. While L has physically handed over the computer to a DGR, there is no transfer of beneficial interest in the computer to the DGR.

The requirement that the DGR receives full title, custody and control of the property upon transfer does not apply to cultural and heritage gifts (items 4, 5, & 6 of the table in section 30-15 of the ITAA 1997). Even though the DGR may not, under the terms and conditions of the gift, have full title, custody or control of the property, section 30-220 of the ITAA 1997, in conjunction with subsection 78A(5) of the ITAA 1936 allows the giver a tax deduction.

The provisions are designed to encourage gifts of significant works of art and other items of cultural property to form part of a collection and for preservation through the National Trust of property of national heritage significance. However, the deduction is reduced to reflect the benefit that flows from retaining some rights of custody and enjoyment of the gifted property on the part of the giver. Taxation Rulings TR 96/1 and IT 295 explain the procedures and valuation method for such gifts.

Services that are provided to a DGR by volunteers are not tax deductible as there is no transfer of property involved. Likewise any expenses that may be borne by the volunteer in the course of providing the services to the DGR are not deductible as gifts as there is no transfer of property to the DGR.

In Case S43 85 ATC 343; (1985) 28 CTBR (NS) Case 49 , the Board of Review affirmed the decision of the Commissioner to deny deductions for motor vehicle, postage and telephone expenses totalling $675 incurred by the taxpayer in the course of undertaking voluntary work for a DGR. The Board held that the taxpayer did not make a gift of money or property to the DGR. What the taxpayer gave was simply his services.

S works as an accountant for a registered tax agent, where her work is charged at $70 per hour. She also maintains a DGR's books on a volunteer basis, spending four hours each fortnight. She cannot claim a tax deduction for $280 per fortnight, being the four hours at her accountancy charge rate of $70. The notional 'expenditure' is not a tax deductible gift; she has not transferred any property to the DGR.

H runs a business making and selling furniture. A DGR asks H to make it a cabinet for its office. H constructs the cabinet in his workshop, then he gives it to the DGR without charge. The transfer of H's property – the cabinet – to the DGR is a gift. [17]

K buys himself protective clothing to wear when working as a volunteer for a rescue DGR. Even though he only uses the clothing when working for the DGR, he has not transferred it to the DGR such that it becomes the property of the DGR. Accordingly, K has not made a tax deductible gift to the DGR.

G travels to a remote area to work for a DGR without remuneration. He pays for his own airfares. The expenditure is not a tax deductible gift to the DGR.

Where there is in fact a transfer of property to a DGR, the giver, though a volunteer, is entitled to a tax deduction in respect of the transfer.

N is a telephone counsellor for a DGR. She provides a dedicated telephone at her home for this purpose. She pays all the costs associated with the provision of this telephone line ($300), and then seeks reimbursement from the DGR. After it reimburses her for these costs, she voluntarily gives the $300 to the DGR. The payment to the DGR is a tax deductible gift.

P buys toys at her local toyshop and gives them away to children she helps while working as a volunteer at a clinic for a DGR. There is no transfer of property to the DGR, and so there is no tax deductible gift. However, if she gives the toys to the DGR (and it uses them in its clinic), she will have made a gift to the DGR. If the DGR chooses to give the toys away to the children who attend its clinic, this will not affect the fact that P has previously made the gift to the DGR.

The case authorities make it clear that for a transfer of property to be a gift it must be made voluntarily. A transfer will be voluntary if it is 'the act and will of the disponor and there was nothing to interfere with or control the exercise of that will' ( Cyprus Mines Corporation v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation 78 ATC 4468 at 4481; (1978) 9 ATR 33 at 48).

A transfer made under a sense of moral obligation is still regarded as made voluntarily. [18]

C promises his neighbour's daughter that he will give $2 to a DGR for each lap she completes in a walkathon to raise money for it. She completes 30 laps. C's gift of $60 to the DGR is voluntary even though the amount given depended upon the number of laps completed.

M, who suffers a depressive condition, goes to a health promotion charity (a DGR) which offers counselling for no charge. A prominent sign says that if you are satisfied with the service, a donation of $30 would be appreciated. M finds the counselling very helpful, and decides to give the suggested $30 to the DGR. The $30 is a gift. The use of moral persuasion does not prevent the payment from being considered as voluntarily made.

To qualify as a gift, the transfer of property has to be voluntary. The transfer must not have arisen from any obligation imposed by law, whether by contract or otherwise. In McPhail Owen J said: it must appear that the property transferred was transferred voluntarily and not as a result of a contractual obligation to transfer it... [19] In Leary Bowen CJ said: It seems that a payment ... will not generally be regarded as voluntary if made under an obligation imposed by law, whether under contract or otherwise. [20]

B buys a ticket in a raffle run by a DGR to win a boat. The payment for the ticket is not a gift. The payment is not voluntary as the ticket has been purchased as part of a contractual arrangement under which he has acquired rights in the raffle.

B pays $70 to an ambulance fund which is approved as a DGR. The $70 entitles him and his family to free ambulance services for the year. The $70 is not a gift. The contribution is paid as part of a contractual arrangement between the contributor and the fund (Case 58 (1974) 19 CTBR (NS)).

On 1 May 2000 F pays $500 to the XYZ School General Account to confirm enrolment of child C for the 2001 school year. F has no entitlement to a refund of the enrolment fee, but can direct it to be transferred from the XYZ School General Account to the School Building Fund. On 1 March 2003 the $500 is transferred to the School Building Fund at F's direction. As F has no control over the non-refundable money other than to direct it to the School Building Fund, and in view of the fact that the initial payment was compulsory, no deduction is available as a gift. [21]

On 1 May 2002, F pays a further $900 to the School General Account to confirm enrolment of his second child for the 2003 school year. While the child is at the school, F does not direct the enrolment fee to the School Building Fund. After the child has left the school, the school writes to F and gives him the option of having the $900 refunded or making a gift to the XYZ School Building Fund. The $900 is transferred at F's direction from the XYZ School General Account to the XYZ School Building Fund (a DGR). As F has control over the money and voluntarily decides to direct it to the XYZ School Building Fund, the $900 is a gift.

W and another party are bidding to buy an item of plant from a DGR. While her competitor's bid is $200,000, W offers to pay $160,000 for the item of plant as well as make a donation of $45,000. W's bid is successful. The $45,000 is not a voluntary payment by W; it is not a gift.

A private school's half-yearly fee accounts include an amount described as a 'donation to the school building fund' (a DGR). It is included in the same way as all other amounts on the account, there is no other indication that its payment is not required, and it is included in the total amount shown as due and payable. The amount shown as a 'donation' is not a voluntary payment; it is not a gift. If on the other hand the account shows the amount as being optional, and it is not included in the total amount shown as due and payable, it is considered a voluntary payment and in the absence of contrary features, regarded as a gift.

However where the means chosen to give effect to a voluntary transfer has contractual features, this will not prevent the transfer from being a gift. [22]

W voluntarily enters into a deed of gift to transfer five yearly instalments of $2,000 to be paid to a DGR on 30 June each year. Despite having the obligation to make the five $2,000 instalments, they are gifts when paid to the DGR. The decision to enter into the deed of gift was voluntary, and no consideration was received by W in respect of the transfer.

A transfer to a DGR is not considered a voluntary payment where it has the effect of discharging or reducing a contractual obligation owed by the giver to the DGR or an associate of the DGR. This is so even where the giver has the choice whether or not to make the transfer to the DGR but is given to understand that the purported gift is offered as an alternative means of discharging or reducing the giver's contractual obligation.

H owes $13,000 to a DGR for outstanding fees for advertising provided by the DGR for H's business. To settle the debt the DGR agrees to accept a donation of $9,000 in full settlement of the outstanding fees. H's payment of $9,000 is not voluntary; it is not a gift.

In McPhail , the payment to a school building fund (a DGR) was not accepted as a voluntary payment because ' it was a payment made pursuant to a contract between the taxpayer and the School Council' in relation to school fees. [23] Under the arrangement, the parents qualified for lower school fees for their children should they take up the school's invitation to make payments to the building fund. The arrangement therefore involved a choice between full school fees and lower fees plus a 'gift' to the building fund. The High Court held there was no tax deductible gift.

This is further illustrated by the decision in Cyprus Mines where a mining company gave money to the State Library Board. Under the agreement with the WA Government, it had the alternative of either paying a royalty to the WA Government or an equivalent amount to a DGR resident in WA. In finding that the payment was not a gift, the Court held it was not sufficient that the company had the choice of whether to pay to a DGR, and, if so, the choice of which DGR. Importantly, it had no choice about whether it had to pay the specified sum. It was bound under the agreement to make payment of the specified sum within the prescribed time period. The payment to the DGR was not voluntary.

A transfer of property to a DGR in order to discharge a liability under an indemnity given to an associate of the DGR was likewise not considered a voluntary transfer and thus not a gift in Klopper & Anor v. Deputy Commissioner of Taxation 97 ATC 4179; (1997) 34 ATR 650 ( Klopper ). In that case, the taxpayer agreed to indemnify the Ocean Racing Club of Australia (ORCA) for the expenses involved with the taxpayer's participation in the Admiral's Cup. To discharge that liability, the taxpayer made purported gifts to the Australian Sports Aid Foundation (a DGR) on the understanding that the amounts given would be passed on to the ORCA. The court found that the payments were neither free from contractual obligation nor voluntary and thus not deductible as gifts.

A private school proposes to parents of students that if they all pay a designated 'voluntary' donation to the school building fund, an expected increase in the level of school fees will not be made. Such payments will not have the character of a gift for the purposes of the gift provisions. They are not, all things considered, voluntary in nature nor are they free from material benefit to the giver. They do not appear to proceed from a detached and disinterested generosity. As well, paragraph 78A(2)(c) would apply to deny a deduction as a gift.

A private school undertakes a fundraising campaign, contacting past students, local businesses, friends of the school and parents, requesting them to make whatever donations they can to the school building fund. It says that if the campaign target is not reached, it will have to raise fees to help fund repairs and extensions to school buildings. Payments made as part of this campaign do not raise concerns about their voluntary nature or the receipt of any material benefit by the givers.

The decision in Case 3/2000 2000 ATC 132; (2000) 43 ATR 1337 makes clear that even a purported gift to a DGR that has the effect of discharging or reducing a contractual obligation of the giver's associate is not considered a voluntary payment. In this Tribunal case, the purchaser had to make a payment of $8.1 million to the vendor as well as make a purported gift of $2.7 million to a DGR under a contract of purchase for land. Alternatively, the purchaser could procure an associate (who was not a party to the contract), to make a payment of $2.7 million to the DGR. The associate and the parties to the contract also entered into an option agreement which provided for a put and call option over the land as between the purchaser and the vendor at a price of $10.8 million. The Tribunal found, inter alia , that the payment by the giver's associate to the DGR was a contractual payment (that is, discharging the contractual obligations of the purchaser) and was thus not voluntary. Accordingly it was not a tax deductible gift.

The 'essential idea' of a gift is that there is a conferral of benefaction on the recipient. [24] In Leary Deane J explained this feature: It involves, in my view, the concept that the relevant transfer is by way of well doing in that the recipient will be advantaged, in a material sense and without any countervailing material detriment arising from the circumstances of the transfer, to the extent of the property transferred to him. [25]

In order to determine whether the transfer is by way of benefaction, Brennan J was of the view in Leary that it is relevant to ascertain whether the giver has the knowledge or is at least aware that the recipient is free to enjoy the benefit of the property received: If the disponor is aware that the receipt of the property by the disponee will impose a liability upon the latter, the disposition may be seen not to be by way of benefaction ... No doubt much depends upon a comparison between the property taken and the liability incurred. [26]

It may be necessary to consider the perspective of both the giver and the DGR. In Leary [27] Bowen CJ gives the example of a recipient DGR which has, to the knowledge of the giver, arranged its affairs such that it can never beneficially retain the benefit of the transfer which will simply pass through its hands. Or the giver may have put in place a structure that allows them to take back the benefit of the transfer such as in Bray v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation 77 ATC 4339; (1977) 7 ATR 780.

The extent of benefaction in fact conferred upon the recipient has to be determined by reference to the overall arrangement surrounding the transfer. The taxpayer in Leary made a payment of $10,000 described as a gift to a DGR. However, under an arrangement between the DGR and the promoter, the DGR, upon receipt of the payment of $10,000 was obliged to pay an amount equal to 98.8% of the $10,000 to the promoter. The substance and reality of the transfer was that the DGR was benefited to the extent of only $120. As such the arrangement that had been put in place largely precluded the payment from conferring benefaction on the DGR.

An obvious example of a transfer that is not by way of benefaction is where the giver merely makes a payment in order to receive services from the DGR. The DGR has the obligation of performing or providing the services. Generally, such payments also fail to be gifts because they are not voluntary and they provide material benefits to the giver.

W needs to have an elective operation performed at a hospital (a DGR). There is a very long waiting list. He makes a payment of $1,000 to the hospital in order to be given priority ('jump the waiting list'), and the operation is moved forward by a month. The payment is made in return for a material advantage. It is not a gift.

A transfer of property to a DGR that imposes detriments, disadvantages, obligations or liabilities on the DGR may mean that there is no conferral of benefaction. As well, paragraph 78A(2)(a) may apply to the transfer. Much will depend on a comparison of the benefit of the transfer to the DGR with the disadvantages, obligations or liabilities imposed on the DGR.

S transfers a work of art to a museum (a DGR) on the understanding that the museum will reduce the price of land it is selling to her nephew. The transfer is not a gift.

C owns an extremely valuable painting by a famous artist. It requires costly restoration work which she cannot afford. She offers to give it to a public art gallery (a DGR). The gallery is anxious to receive the painting, irrespective of the cost of restoration, to add to its collection of the artist's work. This will be a gift; benefaction is being conferred on the DGR. Valuation issues may however arise in determining the amount C will be able to deduct for the gift.

It is not expected that in ordinary circumstances, the giver has to make enquiries as to whether the transfer imposes obligations, liabilities, limitations or detriments to the DGR. If in fact the DGR is disadvantaged in this manner, but it is not within the knowledge and intention of the giver at the time of making the gift, and does not arise from the terms of the transfer of property by the giver, the transfer is still regarded as a gift.

Where property that is transferred is represented to be of a certain kind or value or in a particular condition but is in fact less valuable or is defective, the transfer is still a gift. However, there are valuation issues in calculating the amount of the tax deduction.

H has a painting which she purchased as a classic. She gives it to a public art gallery (a DGR). Some time after receiving the painting, the gallery finds that it is a clever fake. The transfer is nonetheless a gift to the gallery. (The amount of the gift deduction will depend on the relevant valuation method applying to the particular factual situation. If the painting was purchased during the past 12 months, the deduction would equal the lesser of the market value on the day H made the gift and the amount she paid for it. If the painting was purchased more than 12 months ago, the deduction would equal the value of the property as determined by the Commissioner if that value is in excess of $5,000.) [28]

T owns a house. On recent inspection his agent found it to be in good condition. He transfers the house to a public benevolent institution (a DGR). Subsequently an inspection finds it contains dangerous materials, and a demolition order is made by the local authority. The transfer is nonetheless a gift to the institution. (As outlined in the previous paragraph, the amount of the gift deduction will depend on the relevant valuation method applying to the particular factual situation.)

If any liability or obligation falling on the DGR as a result of the transfer of property is immaterial, the transfer is still a gift. [29]

C gives $50 to a DGR which, as part of its fundraising publicity, has promised to acknowledge such donations in the 'Benefactors Board' in its quarterly newsletter. The $50 is a gift. There is a complete disproportion between it and the DGR's obligation to list givers' names in its newsletter.

Some common examples in fundraising drives where there is a complete disproportion between the obligation assumed by the DGR and the amount gifted are plaques on an honour board, named bricks in a wall, or named tiles in a path. Whether something is material is discussed further at 'Materiality'. [30]

Some DGRs operate on the basis of providing funding to non-DGRs. For example, the Australian Sports Foundation (item 10.2.1 in section 30-90 of the ITAA 1997) issues discretionary grants to sporting organisations that are non-DGRs. This is unlike most DGRs which use their funds for their own purposes and do not transfer their funds to non-DGRs.

Where a giver transfers money or other property to a DGR (a DGR which is authorised to make payments to non-DGR's) on condition that it be passed on to other organisations that are not DGRs, the question is raised as to whether benefaction has in fact been conferred upon the particular DGR.

If the effect of the condition is that the DGR is merely an agent or trustee or otherwise obliged to merely pass the transferred property on to an organisation that is not a DGR, it is clear that no benefaction has been conferred on the DGR itself. Accordingly, the transfer is not a tax deductible gift.

To avoid the above result, the recipient DGR must: • obtain in its own right the full value or benefit of the property; and • be empowered and have the absolute discretion on whether or not to distribute the property to those organisations nominated by the giver.

Payments made under a 'preferred donation arrangement' which satisfy the above conditions will be tax deductible. A preferred donation arrangement generally involves a giver giving money to the DGR expressing a preference that the money be passed on to an affiliate organisation preferred by the giver to fund projects or events nominated by the affiliate and approved by the DGR. The DGR must not be obligated to comply with the wishes of the giver. It must retain a discretion whether or not to distribute in accordance with the giver's wishes. The operation of such an arrangement is illustrated in Re Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust (1991) 102 ALR 681 at 683-685.

S is an avid supporter of his local AFL team. He sends a cheque for $500 to the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF – a DGR which is authorised to make payments to non-DGRs) with a letter stating that the amount is to be given to his favourite team. The ASF therefore does not have a discretion whether or not to apply the amount in accordance with the giver's wishes. The $500 is not a deductible gift, as no benefaction has been conferred on the DGR.

D is keen to encourage athletics. He sends a cheque for $300 to the ASF expressing a preference that the ASF allocate the money to a nominated athletics organisation which encourages children to participate in athletics. The ASF therefore has the discretion whether or not to apply the money in accordance with D's wishes. The $300 is a deductible gift, as benefaction has been conferred on the DGR.

W gives $10,000 to Australian Business Arts Foundation Ltd (ABAF) – a DGR which is authorised to make payments to non-DGRs – with a letter stating that the amount is to be given to a particular artist. The ABAF therefore does not have a discretion whether or not to apply the amount in accordance with W's wishes. The $10,000 is not a deductible gift, as no benefaction has been conferred on the DGR.

There can also be issues about whether the recipient receives the transfer as a DGR. Where property is transferred to the trustee of a public fund under item 2 of the table in section 30-15 of the ITAA 1997 (a type of DGR often called an ancillary fund), and the trustee has an obligation or otherwise gives an assurance to a giver to apply funds for another DGR in accordance with requests from the giver, a separate fund is thereby created. This separate fund does not satisfy the requirements for a public fund to which tax deductible gifts may be made. The separate fund is not entitled to be endorsed as a DGR. This situation is explained in Taxation Determination TD 2004/23.

For the purpose of determining whether a transfer of property is a gift, the giver's feelings and motives are ordinarily not relevant. To qualify as a gift, a transfer of property need not be made out of motives of benevolence. [31] As highlighted by Deane J in Leary [32] a gift ordinarily proceeds from a 'detached and disinterested generosity', 'out of affection, respect, admiration, charity or like impulses'. [33] Brennan J in Leary [34] cited a case decided in the United States Supreme Court ( Bogardus v. IRC (1937) 302 US 34) in which Frankfurter J referred to the idea of a gift as the 'notion of a benefaction unentangled with any aspect of worldly requital.' The giver may have a variety of reasons and motivations for making the transfer such as a strong interest or emotional involvement in the work of the DGR.

C has a severely autistic child. She makes a large donation to a foundation which undertakes research into autism. The fact that C has a very strong emotional involvement in the subject matter of the research does not prevent her donation being a gift.

The intention to confer benefaction need not be the sole reason for making a gift. For example, the fact that the giver is also motivated by the desire to obtain a tax deduction will not, by itself, deprive a payment of its character as a gift: Federal Commissioner of Taxation v. Coppleson 81 ATC 4550 at 4551- 4552; (1981) 12 ATR 358 at 360.

In a case where the surrounding circumstances and/or associated arrangements show the giver is giving effect to self interested commercial or fiscal objectives rather than conferring benefaction on the DGR, the transfer does not proceed from a detached and disinterested generosity [35] (see, for example, Case U38 87 ATC 298).

The receipt of a material benefit by way of return to the giver will disqualify the transfer as a gift (Owen J in McPhail ). [36] In that case the fee concession constituted a material benefit received by the giver upon making a payment to a school building fund (a DGR). [37]

An obvious example where a material benefit or advantage is received by way of return is where the transfer is made 'in return for valuable consideration received by the transferor from the transferee'. [38]

T makes a payment to an aged persons home, for which she was granted possession of a home unit for life. Her receipt was endorsed 'Donation' and 'all donations are tax deductible'. The payment is not a gift, as T received the right of possession of the unit for life (Case E44 73 ATC 371; (1973) 19 CTBR (NS) Case 4).

Another obvious example of a material benefit received is where the transfer of property eliminates or reduces a legal obligation of the giver. This is illustrated in Leary where the taxpayer's purported gift of $10,000 to a DGR was funded by a loan of $8,500 provided by an associate of the scheme promoter. The taxpayer was entitled to collapse the loan the day after the purported gift by making a nominal payment of $17 to the lender.

Where a giver is found to have received a material benefit in return for a purported gift, it is not necessary that the material benefit comes directly from the recipient of the property transferred. In Leary Brennan J said: The ordinary notions of a gift do not pay much regard to the difference between a return to a disponor which he receives as consideration under a contract and a return which is furnished under some other arrangement or understanding; nor is it of great importance that the return does not come directly from the disponee, but indirectly. It will always be of significance that a disponor has received from a disponee, either directly or indirectly, the return sought for making the disposition. [39]

This is illustrated in Cyprus Mines [40] and Klopper [41] where the material benefit in the form of a relief from contractual liability did not emanate from the DGR which received the transfer.

Even where the value of the benefit to the giver is less than the value of the property transferred, the transfer may still not be a gift. Issues of proportion between the transfer and the benefit are discussed in the topic 'Materiality'. [42]

Where DGRs conduct fundraising events such as celebrity dinners, gala events, $1,000-a-plate dinners, and so on, the price of a ticket cannot be notionally split between the value of the material benefit received, that is, the meal, and the amount which represents a gift. Where attendees are to pay a given sum of money in order to attend a function, no part of that sum can be considered a gift. This is so even where the cost of attendance is well in excess of the value of the meal received. [43]

F attends a '$600 a plate dinner'. Regardless of whether the payment exceeds the cost of the meal, F has received a material benefit in exchange for the purchase price of the ticket to the dinner. No part of the $600 is a gift.

However, a fundraiser can offer tickets to a function for an amount which approximates its market value, and solicit additional optional donations from potential attendees. The ticket cost will not be deductible as a gift. However, the additional optional donations will be tax deductible.

C attends a fundraising dinner and pays $50 which is for the cost of the meal. Later, the 'hat is passed around' by the organisers and he contributes $20 to the DGR. The $50 cost of the meal is not a gift. However, the $20 contribution is a gift.

A DGR sells tickets for a Christmas concert for $5. It also requests attendees to give at least $20. Door attendants at the concert collect the $20, but no ticket holder who refused was excluded. The $20 is a gift and there is no material benefit to the giver.

A performing arts organisation (a DGR) offers two levels of benefits to its patrons for different fees. For a fee of $1,000 the patron will be entitled to two free tickets, valet parking, access to preferential bookings, and two free tickets for a back-stage tour; and for a fee of $2,000 the patron will be entitled to the same benefits plus an additional three free tickets, two free tickets to rehearsals, and two tickets to complimentary intermission refreshments. A patron pays the $1,000 fee and also gives a further unsolicited $500 for which no benefits are provided. The $500 is a gift, but the $1,000 is not a gift.

A body which is not a DGR organises an event to raise funds for a DGR. Admission tickets are sold to the public at a cost of $8 for adults, $3 for pensioners and $15 for a family (2 adults and up to 4 children). A box which includes seating for 6 people, plus food and drink for all, to view the event can be obtained at a cost of $300, by paying $40 to the organisers, purportedly to cover the cost of the benefit received, as well as a $260 'donation' to the DGR. The $40 is clearly not a gift to the DGR. Nor is the $260 because it was made to acquire a collateral advantage of a material nature. This would be the result whether or not the venue and facilities and so on had been provided free of charge to the organisers.

Only advantages or benefits that are material will affect whether a transfer is a gift ( McPhail ). [44] The requirement of materiality will exclude matters of a de minimis nature ( Hodges ). [45]

The following discussion and examples are designed to illustrate those considerations relevant to deciding whether the benefit or advantage received is material.

Where there is no link between a benefit received and an amount given, the benefit will not be material to that amount given. This will apply to a mere unintended benefit that was not anticipated on the part of the giver.

P gives $50 to an environmental DGR as part of its fundraising campaign. Later in the week she calls in on a radio station's promotion of the DGR, and is given a book on its environmental issues for having correctly answered questions about the DGR's activities. The $50 is a gift; it is unrelated to the book the DGR gave her.

C gives $1,200 to her favourite DGR. She has also applied for a job with them. The DGR is unaware of her recent donation. Her successful appointment with the DGR is unrelated to her donation. The $1,200 is a gift.

M gives an unsolicited $100 to a DGR. A few weeks later the board of the DGR meets and decides to recognise his generosity by sending him a book on the history of the DGR. The book is normally sold for $15. The $100 is a gift.

D gives an unsolicited $500 to a performing arts organisation (a DGR), not as part of any patrons' program, and without expectation of any benefits being offered in return. Subsequently, in acknowledgement of D's generosity, he is invited to a dress rehearsal, a function to meet cast and artistic staff, and to interval refreshments for the season's performances. The $500 is a gift. While the benefits offered resulted from the benefaction conferred on the DGR, they were not anticipated by D when the transfer was made. Because there is no link in the relevant sense between the benefit and the transfer, the benefits are not considered material in relation to the transfer.

Where DGRs undertake fundraising campaigns, the features of the campaigns can assist in determining whether the amounts transferred to the DGR are gifts. It may be clear from some campaigns that they do not seek to elicit gifts.

A school building fund (a DGR) runs a raffle to raise money for an extension to a school building. The prizes in the raffle are a holiday for two to New Zealand, and ten $500 shopping vouchers. Tickets in the raffle cost $20. The $20 payments will not be gifts.

A performing arts organisation (a DGR) offers, through a vigorous advertising campaign, different levels of benefits for different payments it describes as 'donations'. For example, for a 'donation' of $1,000 the patron will be entitled to two free tickets, valet parking, access to preferential bookings, and two free tickets for a back-stage tour; for a 'donation' of $2,000 the patron will be entitled to the same benefits plus an additional three free tickets, two free tickets to rehearsals, and two tickets to complimentary intermission refreshments. The payments will not be gifts.

In such situations the 'incentives' offered are clearly part of a non-gift type of fundraising. The surrounding circumstances – including the advertising, the offering of incentives, the way the incentives are to be obtained, and the way the incentives vary with the amounts transferred assist in characterising the payment. The value of the incentive does not, on its own, demonstrate whether the payment is a gift. Even an incentive valued at less than $10 can be part of an arrangement where the payments are not considered as gifts, given the surrounding circumstances.

A DGR has its volunteers sell chocolates in their workplaces. The different sorts of chocolates cost $1, $2 or $3. The amounts paid to buy the chocolates will not be gifts. It is irrelevant that the value of the chocolates is low.

However, there may be situations where the characteristics of the fundraising campaign show clearly it is trying to elicit gifts. If this is the case, the presence of incentives – that are trifling or insignificant in the context of the campaign and the payments – may be immaterial.

It is a question of fact in each case whether any benefit or advantage is sufficiently significant to be material. Where a benefit of utility or value is received, it will only be considered as not material if there is a considerable disproportion between the value of the transfer and the benefit received. For example, a benefit in the form of a key-ring might be immaterial when considering a transfer of $4,000 but significant for a $4 payment.

M gives $5,000 to the public fund (a DGR) of a performing arts organisation under its patrons' program for the 2004 season. Under the program those who give $5,000 or more to the DGR are offered a free copy of the organisation's newsletter, access to a private lounge during interval for the season's performances (but no free refreshments), a priority booking service, invitations to attend dress rehearsals and acknowledgment of their generosity in the newsletter. Whilst the benefits are offered as part of the patrons' program, they are not considered material in view of the kind of benefits offered and their value in relation to the amount of $5,000 transferred. M has made a gift to the DGR.

An arts organisation arranges an Information Evening to gain support for the upcoming season. It invites past and potential donors (including a number of members of its patrons' program for the previous year), members of the cast, executives of the organisation, dignitaries and other people interested in supporting the arts. At the function, videos of past performances are shown, the cast gives a performance, and dinner and refreshments are provided. Attendees are encouraged to sign up to buy season-tickets, to become part of the patrons' program for the coming season, or to make large donations to provide funding for the coming year's activities. The deductibility of the donations made by patrons to support the previous season is not affected by the provision of this Information Evening. While the benefits provided were significant, they lack a sufficient link with the earlier donations. The benefits were not offered as part of, or in connection with, the previous year's patrons' program, and there was no expectation of these benefits when the gift was made. The benefits of the Information Evening were not material to the gift.

Where the only value or use of the item received is as a token that promotes the DGR or advertises its activities, the benefit to the transferor will not be material. Such tokens which are commonly given in fundraising drives include lapel badges, bumper stickers, red noses, Legacy pins, daffodils on Daffodil Day and so on.

Information received about the DGR and its activities is unlikely to be a material benefit.

Z's donations to an overseas aid fund (a DGR) are used to sponsor a child in Africa. The DGR sends her updates on the child and how her donations are helping. This information, while important for Z and the DGR, is not a material benefit to her in the gift context.

Items that lack any utility and value to the giver and are only of promotional value to the DGR do not constitute a material benefit to the giver (refer paragraph 172). This is contrasted with items of utility such as calendars, meals, concert tickets, chocolates, caps, t-shirts, mugs, and so on.

B picks up an appealing acrylic key-ring figurine in the shape of a fairy which is in a display box at the counter in her local milk bar. The key-rings are being sold as a fund-raiser for a well-known DGR. She pays the amount shown on the box, $3. The payment is a purchase, not a gift.

C participates in a DGR-run charity auction of a sports bat used in a recent international match. His bid of $2,000 is the highest, so he pays that amount to the DGR. The $2,000 is not a gift. C receives a material benefit for the payment.

For fund-raising campaigns that operate by effectively selling usable items – like chocolates, caps, t-shirts, mugs, pens – the character of the payments will not be changed merely because the items bear promotional material for the DGR.

A DGR runs a fund-raising campaign in which its supporters sell coffee mugs for $5. The mugs bear logos with the DGR's name, and details of its charitable work, prominently displayed. The $5 is not a gift.

A prominent health organisation (a DGR) has its fundraising staff in various shopping centres. Each collector stands at a display of the organisation's life-saving work, and asks passers-by to make donations. To every person who gives $5 or more, the collector gives a cheap pen with the organisation's logo. The amounts are gifts. The surrounding circumstances – including the promotion of the work of the DGR, the absence of bargaining, the disproportion between the amount of the gift and the value of the benefit received in return and the fact that the same sort of pen is given irrespective of the amount donated (above $5) – indicate the amounts are not given in return for material benefits.

Where no rights, privileges, or entitlements are conferred, the giver will not have received a benefit, material or otherwise. The opportunity to participate in a DGR's altruistic activities will not constitute a material benefit where no rights, privileges or entitlements are conferred.

However any rights, privileges or entitlements received will be a material benefit as in Hodges [46] where the taxpayer paid $1,100 (for defraying the cost of his airfares) to a DGR to be allowed to participate in an overseas aid project.

K's son is a canoeist. His team wants to compete in an overseas competition. The team manager advises K that he will need to pay $1,000 as his son's share of the cost of travelling to the competition, either directly to the club, or by making a 'preferred donation' to the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF). K sends $1,000 to the ASF with advice that he would prefer his donation to be directed to his son's club. The $1,000 is not tax deductible as a gift, as the giver receives a material benefit as a result of the donation. The benefit is the removal of the obligation to pay $1,000 to the club to cover his son's share of the costs of travelling to the competition.

Membership joining fees, whilst they will often flow from a desire to support the DGR and its work, confer membership rights which may constitute a material benefit. This is discussed further in paragraph 196 under the heading 'Membership Rights'.

A mere requirement for a DGR to report on how it has spent the money donated does not provide a material benefit to the giver. This is discussed further in paragraph 202 under the heading 'Reporting conditions'.

The public recognition accorded to givers will commonly not be a material benefit. This includes mere acknowledgement in newsletters, annual reports, on a donors' board, and so on. As Bowen CJ said in Leary , [47] 'a man may, by his gifts, gain fame or formal honours without losing his tax deductions'.

E phones in a pledge of $100 in a telethon to support a children's hospital (a DGR). Her name and amount pledged are read out on television. The fact that her generosity is publicly acknowledged on television will not constitute a material advantage to her.

D makes a $10,000 donation to the school building fund (a DGR) of the school his children attend. The trustees of the fund decide to acknowledge the gift by engraving his name, together with those of other givers who donated amounts in excess of $1,000, on a permanent plaque to be prominently placed on the wall in the entry foyer of the school. The fact that givers' generosity is publicly acknowledged in this manner will not constitute a material benefit or advantage to the givers.

However, where an obligation is imposed that requires substantial expenditure on the part of the DGR to accord public recognition in relation to the amount transferred, the essential element of conferring benefaction would be absent. Paragraph 78A(2)(a) of the ITAA 1936 may also apply. Nonetheless, the usual modes of according public recognition for the donation such as plaques on an honour board, and named bricks in a wall or path that involve minimal expenditure by the DGR will not disentitle a deduction for the giver.

A museum (a DGR) issues a promotional pamphlet offering to engrave the names of donors who donate $1,000 or more (in a granite wall in a central courtyard in the museum). G sends in her cheque for $1,000, together with the form attached to the pamphlet stipulating her name exactly as it is to be engraved in the wall. The advantage of having her name engraved is not material.

S, a wealthy businessman decides to make a gift of $5 million to the public hospital (a DGR) in his area for the purpose of building a new wing to treat people suffering from alcoholism. S stipulates that the new wing should be named the 'Frederick S Wing'. In order to recognise S's generosity, the hospital will name the new wing in his honour. It will also acknowledge the gift by placing a plaque acknowledging his generosity in the foyer of the new building. The naming is not a material benefit, and paragraph 78A(2)(c) of the ITAA 1936 will not apply. The obligation he imposed does not detract from a finding that the transfer was by way of benefaction on the hospital.

On the other hand, recognition accorded to the giver for purposes of commercial advertising is a material benefit. Sponsorships of DGRs by commercial entities generally fall into this category. Such outgoings, however, may be income tax deductible as business expenses.

M operates a shop under the trading name M's Musical Supplies. He makes a payment of $20,000 to a cultural DGR, on the basis that it will place a prominent sign at the entrance to its complex thanking M's Musical Supplies for its generous support. The $20,000 payment is not a gift, as he receives a material benefit, namely advertising for his shop, in return for it. As well, the payment would not be deductible because of paragraph 78A(2)(c). However, M may be entitled to a tax deduction for the contribution as a business expense.

Assume in the example above of S's payment to the hospital (paragraph 191), he stipulated that the new wing be named after his business, the 'S Pharmaceuticals Wing'. The benefit is likely to be material, (constituting advertising) and, in any event, a gift deduction may be precluded by paragraph 78A(2)(c) of the ITAA 1936. There may, however, be a deduction available as a business expense.

As part of its 'corporate philanthropy' program, a large retailer sponsors three special exhibitions of a public art gallery (a DGR). Its business name is to be included in the name of the exhibition, all advertising and displays of the exhibition are to feature its logo and name in the dimensions it specifies, and they are to emphasise its support and commitment to the arts. The retailer will give the gallery $400,000 for each of the exhibitions. The payments will not be gifts. They do not arise by way of benefaction. The retailer receives material benefits from the advertising. However, the retailer may be entitled to deductions for the payments as business expenses.

As mentioned in paragraph 184, the rights conferred by membership subscriptions may be a material benefit. There may also be questions around whether the payment is voluntary and whether it arises by way of benefaction.

N wants to support an environmental DGR. She decides the best way to help is to become a member, participate in its activities and work in its projects. Accordingly, she joins the DGR and pays the membership subscription. This payment is not a gift as it is paid to secure membership rights and is not voluntary.

While membership will commonly indicate a desire to further a DGR's work, taking up membership in order to receive special deals, members' privileges, voting rights, and so on, does not point to a gift.

E suffers from a debilitating disease. He hears that there is an association which undertakes research into the disease, educates sufferers on appropriate diets and the best ways to deal with the condition. He contacts the association, and is advised that if he pays a membership subscription of $60 per year, he will be entitled to receive the association's monthly newsletter that contains helpful information for sufferers, and he will be entitled to obtain advice from the association's professional officers. The $60 payment is not a gift. The payment discharges a contractual obligation, and E receives a material advantage in return for it.

However, the conferral of membership which is neither sought nor known by the giver at the time of making the transfer is not a material benefit.

After hearing a DGR's promotions on the radio about how it helps sick children, M sends it $3,000. The DGR replies saying that it appreciates her gift and has decided to confer membership on her for the next two years. Membership entitles M to receive the monthly newsletter and to vote at the AGM. On this evidence there is no link between the gift and the membership; it is not material to the $3,000. Also, the payment was voluntary and there was a clear intention to confer benefaction.

When a giver imposes a requirement on a DGR to account on how it has spent the gift, the report does not provide a material benefit to the giver.

P makes a grant to a university (a DGR) to fund cancer research for publication in the usual scientific/medical journals. An agreement is entered into between P and the university whereby the university will account for its expenditure on the research. This information does not provide a material benefit to P. The payment is a gift.

On the other hand, if a DGR is required to supply a report on the results of research undertaken in accordance with the conditions of a grant, and the results of the research are to be used in the grantor's business, the grant does not possess the usual attributes of a gift – the payment is not by way of benefaction to the recipient, an advantage of a material character may be expected to be received by the grantor, and the payment does not proceed from a 'detached and disinterested generosity'. [48]

The B Pharmaceutical Company makes a grant to a public university (a DGR) with the stipulation that the grant is to be used to fund further research into a particular drug. The results of the research are to be made available exclusively to the company. The supply of information on the results of this research may be expected to provide a material benefit to the company. The payment to the university is consideration for the research undertaken by the university; the payment is not a gift.

The integrity of the gift deduction provisions is supported by section 78A of the ITAA 1936. It contains anti-avoidance provisions such that, where it applies, an income tax deduction for a gift will not be allowable under Division 30 of the ITAA 1997. Broadly speaking, it aims to ensure that 'the benefit to the fund will equal the deduction allowed to the taxpayer' (per Sweeney J in Bray ). [49]

Section 78A is not intended to apply to genuine gifts made in ordinary circumstances; rather it is intended to render ineffective schemes designed to exploit the availability of deductions in respect of gifts. [50]

Paragraph 78A(2)(a) applies where the amount or value of the benefit obtained by the DGR is reduced, or will be reduced or may reasonably be expected to be reduced subsequent to the making of the gift as a result of any circumstance, transaction or arrangement associated with the gift. The provisions apply to disqualify purported gifts where it is never intended to confer other than an immaterial benefit on the DGR. In other cases, whether the provisions will apply depends to a large extent on the disproportion between the benefit received by the DGR and the nominal value of the property transferred.

T donates debentures in a company he controls, with a face value of $20,000, to a DGR. As part of a pre-arranged plan their terms and conditions are subsequently changed so that the debentures become valueless. Paragraph 78A(2)(a) will apply to the transfer to deny the gift deduction.

Due to the operation of subsection 78A(4), where the amount or value of the benefit derived by the DGR as a result of a gift is less than the amount or benefit of the gift at the time the gift was made because the DGR incurs reasonable expenses for the purpose of obtaining or soliciting the gift, and for no other reason, paragraph 78A(2)(a) will not apply.

Expected costs for normal incidents of continuing ownership (such as local government rates on land, registration for motor vehicles, insurance, storage, maintenance), which a DGR will incur for its own holding of property once it is donated, will not trigger the application of paragraph 78A(2)(a). That is, such costs, despite being reasonably expected, will not be taken to lessen the amount or value of the donated property for the purposes of the paragraph.

Paragraph 78A(2)(b) provides that no deduction is available in respect of a gift made where, by reason of any transaction, circumstance or arrangement, another fund, authority or institution other than the recipient DGR makes, or becomes liable to make, or may reasonably be expected to make a payment or transfer property or incur any other detriment, disadvantage, liability or obligation.

Paragraph 78A(2)(b) is a safeguarding provision designed to ensure that the provisions in paragraph 78A(2)(a) are not avoided through arrangements whereby a DGR receives the gift and another affiliated body incurs the detriment, disadvantage, liability or obligation and, as a result of the arrangement, the amount or value of the benefit derived as a consequence of the gift is less than the amount or value of the property comprising the gift at the time the gift is made.

C enters into an arrangement set up by a promoter with a DGR. She makes a purported gift of $100,000 to the DGR, using $95,000 borrowed from the promoter and $5,000 of her own money. Under the arrangement, a fund affiliated with the DGR must pay 99 % of the purported gift to the promoter as a procuration fee. If the DGR had incurred the obligation to pay the procuration fee, the amount or value of the benefit derived by the DGR would have been only $1,000 from the purported gift of $100,000. Paragraph 78A(2)(b) will apply to the transfer, and no deduction will therefore be allowable.

Where, by reason of the circumstances surrounding a transfer to a DGR, a giver or any associate of the giver receives any benefit, advantage, right or privilege other than the benefit of a taxation deduction, no deduction is allowable under Division 30 because of the operation of paragraph 78A(2)(c).

The case authorities do not make it clear that the characterisation as a gift is necessarily precluded where, arising from the transfer, a material benefit is received by an associate of the giver. However, paragraph 78A(2)(c) of the ITAA 1936 requires account be taken of any benefit obtained, or which is reasonably expected to be obtained, by any associate of the giver.

In Case 3/2000 , [51] paragraph 78A(2)(c) of the ITAA 1936 was applied to deny a deduction where, upon the giver making the transfer, an associate of the giver had the advantage of being able to buy land for a substantially lesser amount.

The material benefit received by way of return is not restricted to pecuniary or proprietary benefits. Paragraph 78A(2)(c) of the ITAA 1936 refers to 'any benefit, advantage, right or privilege' (excluding the benefit in the form of a tax deduction that may be allowable) that either the giver or the associate of the giver has obtained or will obtain or may reasonably be expected to obtain as part of, in connection with or as a result of the transfer. Thus, in AAT Case 12,314 Re Hodges v. FC of T 97 ATC 2158; (1997) 37 ATR 1091, the taxpayer's payment to a DGR to defray the cost of his airfares for travelling overseas to work on an aid project was not considered a tax deductible gift. As a result of that payment, he was given the advantage of taking part in the project.

A performing arts body (DGR) organises a continuing fund-raising program so that patrons who pay $5,120 become members of its Patrons' Circle. Benefits provided to members include complimentary tickets to special rehearsals, gala opening night, dinners with the leading actors, and drinks in the company's private lounge during interval. The program's publicity material describes the payment as a $5,000 tax deductible gift and a $120 non-deductible membership fee.

No part of the $5,120 is a gift. The patron receives material benefits by way of return for the payment. The fact that the organisation's promotional material breaks the total payment required into two components and characterises them as a gift and a membership fee is not determinative of the character of the payments. The $120 is clearly not commensurate with the benefits received by the members. Additionally, even if some part of the $5,120 is found to be a gift, section 78A will apply to the arrangement to disallow any gift deduction.

T and her husband own all the shares in a company. The company's assets consist of cash of $2 million, and it has no liabilities. They make a gift of 49% of the shares in the company to a DGR. After the gift is made, the company uses its cash to purchase real estate which they personally own. The real estate is purchased for $2 million by the company. The market value of the real estate is in fact only $500,000. The gifted shares in the company are therefore only worth a fraction of their value at the time of the gift. Paragraphs 78A(2)(a) and (c) will apply to deny any gift deduction for the transfer of shares to the DGR.

M transfers land which he owns to a not-for-profit hospital (DGR) in return for an undertaking that his mother will be granted a unit in an associated retirement village. Paragraphs 78A(2)(b) and 78A(2)(c) will apply to deny a gift deduction for the transfer.

Paragraph 78A(2)(d) is directed at arrangements where a gift of cash is made to the DGR on the basis that the money will be used by the recipient DGR or another fund, authority or institution to acquire property from the giver or the giver's associate.

P inherits an Australian federation sideboard. It is valued at $4,500. He gifts $4,500 cash to the local museum (a DGR) on the understanding that the museum will buy the sideboard from him. The gift of $4,500 cash is not an allowable deduction because of the operation of paragraph 78A(2)(d).

Subsection 78A(3) has the effect of deeming a benefit to be received by the giver or the giver's associate in relation to a gift of property other than money where the terms and conditions attaching to the gift result in the DGR not receiving: • immediate custody and control of the property; • unconditional right to retain custody and control of the property to the exclusion of the giver or an associate of the giver; or • immediate, indefeasible and unencumbered legal and equitable title to the property.

Subsection 78A(3) ensures that paragraph 78A(2)(c) operates to deny a deduction where the terms and conditions under which the gift is made are such that the giver or the associate of the giver retains some control over the custody and/or use of the property.

M owns a rental property. By deed of gift, he transfers legal ownership of the property to a DGR on the basis that the DGR will allow him to continue receiving the rental income from it for the rest of his life. The transfer is not a gift as the receipt of rental income constitutes a material benefit received by way of return. Furthermore, subsection 78A(3) operates to deny a deduction because M retains the rights of use of the gifted property.

B owns a residential property and transfers it to a DGR. A condition of the transfer to the DGR is that immediately following the transfer they will grant to him a long-term lease at below market rent. The transfer made by B to the DGR is not a gift because he receives a material benefit in return. Subsection 78A(3) operates to deny a deduction because the DGR does not receive unconditional rights of custody and control of the property.

Under subsection 78A(5) of the ITAA 1936 cultural and heritage gifts under item 4, 5 or 6 in section 30-15 of the ITAA 1997 are excluded from the operation of subsection 78A(3). Rules are provided in section 30-220 of the ITAA 1997 allowing for reduced deductions in respect of these kinds of gifts under certain circumstances. [52]

Subsection 170(10) of the ITAA 1936 provides that nothing in section 170 prevents the amendment, at any time, of an assessment for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of section 78A.

Below is a detailed contents list for this Taxation Ruling: Paragraph What this Ruling is about 1 Class of person/arrangement 1 Background 6 Date of effect 10 Previous Rulings 11 Ruling 12 Transfer of beneficial interest in property 16 Transfer made voluntarily 23 Arises by way of benefaction 27 No material benefit or advantage 37 Section 78A 45 Giver or associate of the giver retains right to use of donated property 53 Explanation 56 Ordinary meaning of a 'gift' 56 Transfer of beneficial interest in property 61 Transfer must occur 61 Example 1 64 Example 2 65 Example 3 66 Example 4 67 Example 5 68 Property owned by the giver prior to transfer 69 Example 6 70 Example 7 71 Example 8 72 Example 9 73 Transfer of beneficial interest 74 Only transferred interest tax deductible 75 Example 10 76 Full title to be received by the DGR upon transfer 77 Example 11 78 Example 12 79 Example 13 80 Exception applying to cultural and heritage gifts 81 Money or property must be transferred to DGR 83 Example 14 85 Example 15 86 Example 16 87 Example 17 88 Example 18 90 Example 19 91 Transfer made voluntarily 92 Example 20 94 Example 21 95 Transfer pursuant to legal obligation not voluntary 96 Example 22 97 Example 23 98 Example 24 99 Example 25 101 Example 26 102 Example 27 104 Discharging contractual obligations 105 Example 28 106 Example 29 110 Example 30 111 Arises by way of benefaction 113 Example 31 118 Detriments borne by the recipient DGR 119 Example 32 120 Example 33 121 Detriments to recipient DGR not intended by giver 122 Example 34 124 Example 35 125 Immaterial detriments 126 Example 36 127 Payments to DGR transferred to non-DGRs 129 Example 37 134 Example 38 135 Example 39 136 Motives of giver 138 Example 40 139 No material benefit or advantage 142 Example 41 144 Benefits not from recipient 146 Benefits less than value of transferred property 148 Splitting the gift from the amount paid in respect of the material benefit 149 Example 42 150 Example 43 152 Example 44 153 Example 45 154 Example 46 155 Materiality 156 Whether benefit has any link with the transfer 158 Example 47 159 Example 48 160 Example 49 161 Example 50 162 Incentives offered 163 Example 51 164 Example 52 165 Example 53 167 Whether benefit insignificant in comparison with value of transfer 169 Example 54 170 Example 55 171 Whether benefit of promotional value to the DGR only 172 Example 56 174 Whether benefit usable or marketable 175 Example 57 176 Example 58 177 Example 59 179 Example 60 180 Whether any rights etc., conferred on the giver 181 Example 61 183 Public recognition 186 Example 62 187 Example 63 188 Example 64 190 Example 65 191 Example 66 193 Example 67 194 Example 68 195 Membership rights 196 Example 69 197 Example 70 199 Example 71 201 Reporting conditions 202 Example 72 203 Example 73 205 Section 78A 206 Example 74 209 Example 75 214 Example 76 219 Example 77 221 Example 78 222 Example 79 224 Giver or associate retains rights to use of donated property 225 Example 80 227 Example 81 228 Detailed contents list 231