How does an organisation get DGR status?
In general, to receive endorsement as a DGR, your organisation will have to apply to the Australian Tax Office (ATO). The only other option is for your organisation to have itself specifically listed by name in the Tax Act (this requires your organisation to lobby the Commonwealth government for a change in the Tax Act which may be a difficult process and won’t be discussed further here.) The DGR endorsement process is a separate process to applying to be a tax concession charity (TCC) – (see our page on Income Tax). It is a common misconception that all ‘charities’ can automatically receive tax deductible gifts. That is not the case. All organisations, including charities, need to apply to the ATO for endorsement as a DGR.
