Churches and tax deductions

Press, 15 June 1979, Page 12

Churches and tax deductions

Sir, — Scout and guide fees are not tax deductible because our children attend and receive a service. Church donations, aside from contributing towards repayment of building loans, salaries, maintenance, etc.,

in large part contribute towards the social services performed by all denominations. These social services provide a service to people in need and work in conjunction with the welfare agencies provided by the Government from our tax moneys. Donations, if any, to such organisations as Samaritans, Braille Week, Corso, Save the Children Fund, etc., are all tax deductible too. — Yours, etc., ELLEN .1. MEADS. June 12, 1979.

Sir, — Contrary to what E. P. Joyce says (June 12) I am convinced that pensioners on the whole do not “have to worry about how they are going "to make ends meet.” A married pensioner gets 80 per cent of the average working man’s wage plus generous perks and has no travelling costs. Well my wife and I are age beneficiaries and find no reason to complain. A young married family man who is the sole bread-winner is a different “kettle of fish”; my sympathy does go out to him today. Regarding tax deductions for church subscribers oniy 50 per cent is deductible and the maximum amount is only $175. The donor receives no material gain; sounds fair to me.— Yours, etc.,

A. DELHANTY June 13, 1979.