SANTHOM TRUST
As part of the Eparchy’s wider Pastoral ministry, The Syro-Malabar Eparchy of St Thomas proudly wishes to announce that the Eparchy has established an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) endorsed Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) legal entity, named ‘SANTHOM TRUST’, with effect from 4 October 2016 (ABN 83 288 383 029). A Deductible Gift Recipient is an entity or fund that can receive tax-deductible gifts. This is to promote charitable activities like family counselling, youth development including counselling, nursing homes including retirement villages, emergency assistance to the needy in Australia etc.
Tax deductible Donations
This means all the donors can claim donations made to this entity as a deducible expense in their annual tax returns to the ATO. Donations are tax-planning tools to save taxes too.
The Eparchy wishes to set the priorities in its charitable endeavours like Nursing homes, Family & Youth counselling, education and emergency support etc. One of the top priorities is to use funds raised to start a Nursing Home for the needy in our wider community. To achieve this, the entity needs sizeable start-up funds.
While you think about donating funds to Santhom Trust, please be mindful that your donations towards religious advancement (including property purchase/Church construction at Parish/Mission level) would not come under the DGR status.
FAQ
Why do you donate?
Because you feel blessed: Giving to others increases your capacity for love. It makes you realize that even if you don’t have much, you have enough to share with others. When we donate to charities, we feel grateful and feel thankful for the blessings in our own life. Charity is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the world that we take so much from. Donating to charity will show your children that you care about others and want to make the world a better place. If you involve your children in choosing charities, you will instil a desire to share and serve that will last throughout their lives.
The most important reason of all as to why we should donate to charity is because we can. Charity will help you boost your own motivation to go further in life. Since it is a very fulfilling act to give, it will help you add to your own personal motivation too. People who donate are often driven to donate more and a person can only donate more if they have more.
Why do you donate to Santhom Trust?
The Syro-Malabar Eparchy with Bishop Bosco Puthur as its Founder initiated this social and charitable ministry for the holistic growth of its members and wider community.
Minimal administration cost: Unlike donating to bigger tax-deductible organisations, where a sizable portion of your donations are utilised for running and administration costs of the organisations, the money donated will be fully utilised for charitable purposes since the administration costs of the Santhom Trust is minimal.
Join a cause and be part of something bigger: Santhom Trust needs start-up capital to help different groups of people with specific needs. If you feel passionate about a cause like this, donate money or time. Donating a little bit of money may not seem like much. However, if your donation is joined with others it becomes something much bigger.
Tax deduction: The money you donate to charity can be taken as a deduction on your tax return. Although this isn’t the main reason we’d suggest donating to charity, it is a nice bonus. Since the gifts are deductible, the actual cost of the donation is reduced by your tax savings.
Tax planning: Donations can be an effective tax planning tool for some tax payers to reduce tax. As the financial year is ending, this is the best time to think, pray and take a blessed decision to donate for a higher cause for humanity.
How to Donate
You can donate your funds directly to ‘Santhom Trust’ by way of bank transfer. Bank details are
BSB: 083 347
Account no. 92 253 0091
Account Name: Santhom Trust
Once the money is transferred to the bank account please send an email with your name, address, amount, and date of transfer to santhom@syromalabar.org.au The finance office will send you an electronic receipt which you can use it to claim deductions at the time of filing your tax return.
P.S: If you have any question, write to santhom@syromalabar.org.au or office.melbourne@syromalabar.org.au
