Overview
80G is a certificate given by the Income Tax Department under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. When your NGO has 80G, every donor who gives to you — whether an individual or a company — can claim 50% of that donation as a deduction from their taxable income. For Indian NGOs, 80G is the biggest fundraising tool. Without it, donors get no tax benefit and donations stay small. With it, the same person is happy to give more. Like 12A, 80G is also given on a provisional basis for 3 years for new NGOs.
Ideal for
Every NGO that plans to raise donations from individuals or companies in India. Apply for 80G together with 12A in the same Form 10A.
Eligibility
NGO must already have 12A registration (or apply for both together)
Goals must not benefit only one religious community or caste
No large business-like income beyond the permitted small limit
Books of accounts must be properly maintained
No trustee or director should be personally benefiting from NGO funds
Documents required
8 documents in total. Checklist shared after your free consultation.
12A registration certificate (must-have)
NGO registration certificate
PAN of the NGO
Audited financial statements for the last 3 years (if available)
Activity report with photos and details of beneficiaries reached
List of donors from the previous year with amounts received
Bank account details
Details of trustees, directors, or members
Step-by-step process
Prepare Form 10A for 80G
Our CA fills Form 10A for 80G — usually filed together with 12A.
Sign with DSC and submit
Authorised signatory signs digitally. Form is filed online on the Income Tax portal.
Commissioner reviews activity
Commissioner checks your activity reports, financials, and objectives. May ask for more info.
Get provisional 80G
Provisional 80G is granted for 3 years. A unique 80G registration number is issued.
Start issuing 80G receipts
Donors can now claim tax benefit on donations to your NGO. Sevastack automatically generates 80G-compliant receipts with Form 10BE.
Common pitfalls
Applying for 80G without having 12A — always gets rejected.
Showing no donations or tiny activity — Commissioner sees no real charity work.
Issuing 80G receipts before the certificate is actually granted — causes tax problems for donors.
Forgetting to file Form 10BD and 10BE every year after getting 80G — leads to cancellation.
Frequently asked
What is 80G certificate and why is it important?+
80G is a certificate from the Income Tax Department. When your NGO has it, donors get 50% tax deduction on whatever they donate to you. This alone can double or triple your fundraising because donors feel rewarded for giving.
How much does 80G registration cost?+
Our professional fee is ₹8,000 — which covers both 12A and 80G (filed together). There is no government fee for 80G. Total cost stays at ₹8,000.
How long does 80G registration take?+
4 to 8 weeks in most cases. Filed together with 12A in the same Form 10A. If the Commissioner asks questions, it may take up to 3 months.
Does my donor get 50% or 100% tax deduction?+
Most NGOs get 80G with 50% deduction. Only a few special government-approved funds (like PM CARES, National Defence Fund) give 100% deduction — these are not options for private NGOs.
Is there a cap on donations eligible for 80G?+
Yes. A donor can claim 80G deduction only up to 10% of their Gross Adjusted Total Income. Beyond that, no deduction — even if your 80G is valid.
What format should 80G receipts be in?+
Since 2022, 80G receipts must have the donor's PAN and be supported by Form 10BE issued annually by your NGO. Sevastack generates both automatically — no manual work.
Can foreign donors use my 80G certificate?+
No. 80G only works for Indian income tax payers. Foreign donors cannot claim Indian tax deduction. For foreign donations, you need FCRA registration.