Workplace giving

What is workplace giving?

See the list of all approved Deductible Gift Recipients

Workplace giving allows employees to donate money on a regular basis to a deductible gift recipient (DGR) directly through their pay. A DGR is a charity or other non-profit organisation that is entitled to receive tax-deductible donations.

How does the scheme work?

Employees are invited to enter into a workplace giving arrangement by making a regular donation to one or more of the charities or non-profit organisations on the State Service approved DGR list.

You can make a donation by completing the appropriate deduction authority, nominating an amount to be donated each pay period and forwarding this authority to your Human Resource area. The donation is paid directly by the employer on your behalf to the DGR(s).

The donation amount is deducted from your gross salary for each pay period before referring to the tax table and deducting the appropriate taxation contribution. Therefore, you receive the benefit of the tax deduction each pay period, depending on the amount donated.

The confirmation of the donation will be shown on the your payment summary each pay period. A record of your donations to DGR will be available from the Agency Human Resource area upon request at the end of the financial year.

Who can participate?

All State Service employees are able to participate in the workplace giving scheme.

What are the benefits for employees?

Employees receive the benefit of a tax deduction each pay period. Employees do not need to request receipts to substantiate donation deductions arranged through workplace giving scheme if:

the total donation amount is included in their payment summary, or
they have a record from their employer outlining the total donation amount for the financial year.

What are the benefits for a DGR?

The workplace giving scheme is highly cost effective for DGR. The benefits include:

A DGR will receive donations as a lump sum from each employer. This reduces costs because the DGR only processes one donation from each employer.
A DGR is not required to issue receipts to the employee donors.

What are the employer's obligations?

Employee authorised donations will be paid to the nominated DGR each pay period.

Employers will provide to employees, upon request, details of total donations made by employee's for each financial year, either as an entry on an employee's payment summary, or in another written form.

Where is the list of approved DGR charities or non-profit organisations located?

A list of the approved DGRs for the State Service.

How often are donations deducted from my salary?

Donations will be deducted from your salary each pay period at the nominated amount and from the pay period requested in accordance with your completed deduction authority.

How can I make a donation?

You may make a donation to one or more approved DGR by completing an appropriate deduction authority, which is available from the Human Resource area in your Agency.

What happens if I take unpaid leave?

In the event you take any form of unpaid leave you must contact your Human Resource area. The donation from your salary will cease for the period of unpaid leave.

What happens if I move to another agency?

In the event you move to a new agency your salary deductions will continue on the same terms as you originally requested. If you wish to alter these arrangements please contact the Human Resource area in your new Agency.

What happens if I am already making a donation to a DGR?

Where you are already making a donation to a charity or non-profit organisation through a payroll deduction authority you may wish to complete a new deduction authority under the Workplace Giving scheme and forward this to your Human Resource area.

How can I change my giving arrangement?

You are able to change your workplace giving arrangement by completing an amended deduction authority and forwarding this to the Human Resource area in your agency, allowing sufficient time for the deduction authority to be processed by the Human Resource area.

How can a charity or non-profit organisation be included on the approved DGR list?

Requests by charities or non-profit organisations to be included as DGRs on the State Service workplace giving list are to be addressed to the Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet and forwarded through the Public Sector Management Office, GPO Box 123 Hobart Tas 7001.

How do I record donations in my tax return?

There is no difference between completing your tax return for donations made under a workplace giving arrangement, and donations made direct to the DGR(s).

Total gross income and tax withheld, as notified on your payment summary, must be included under salary and wages and the total amount of donations made to DGR(s) should be shown unde, gifts and donations in your tax return.

Where can I get more information?

If you decide to enter into a workplace giving scheme please contact your Human Resource area to obtain and complete a deduction authorisation form. Your workplace giving arrangement will then commence as soon as practicable.