80G Certificate for NGOs: Eligibility, Benefits for Donors & Approval Process

• By Garuda
• January 8, 2026
• No Comments

In the rapidly expanding universe of Indian non-profits, trust and accountability are no longer choices but necessities. No matter it is a trust, society or section 8 company you are running, getting in hand the 80G certificate is one of the most important steps towards long-term fund raising and donor reliability.

At Garudamudra, we work closely with NGOs across India to simplify legal registrations and tax compliance. This guide explains what is 80G certificate for NGOs, who is eligible, how donors benefit, and the complete 80G approval process for NGOs, updated for 2026 regulations.

What is 80G Certificate in NGOs?

What is an 80G certificate 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961 certifies that all donations done by a person or company to a registered trust or Non Government Organization shall be exempted from income tax.

When an NGO gets registered with 80 G certification as of now, it becomes eligible to give donation receipts which the donor can use to apply and get income tax exemption under 80G for donors.

In simple terms:

1. NGOs gain fundraising credibility
2. Donation under 80G is subjected to tax rebate for the donors
3. Justifications for CSR and philanthropy contributions of corporate

Why 80G Registration of NGO is Important for 2026?

With stringent compliance regulations, digitization and donor awareness at its peak now; 80G Registration for Charitable trust & NGO is becoming a need rather than just another luxury.

Some good reasons why NGOs need to get registered under 80G:

1. Builds donor trust and transparency
2. Enables NGO donation tax exemption India
3. Attracts HNIs, corporate, and CSR funds
4. Improves NGO credibility for grants and partnerships
5. Ensures long-term sustainability

Corporate and high-net worth individual donors, in particular, will not contribute without 80G approval.

Contact us Today for NGO Registration.

80G Certificate Eligibility for Indian NGOs

The first step is to know 80G certificate eligibility for NGOs in India.

An NGO is eligible if:

1. It is a Charity Trust, Society or Section 8 Company
2. It is created for a charitable purpose (education, medical relief, relief of the poor or the aged, environmental improvement etc.)
3. It is non-profit in nature
4. It does not carry on business.
5. Its books are regularly kept
6. It is compatible to income tax return filing

❗(Political parties and NGO groups that exist exclusively for religious activities are excluded.)

Advantages of 80G Certificate for Donors

Donor incentives is some of the most powerful benefits from 80G registration.

Benefits of 80G Certificate for Donors Include:

1. 50% or 100% tax deduction of your donation amount
2. Reduced taxable income
3. Encouragement to donate more frequently
4. Transparency and legal assurance

The tax relief on donation as per 80G has a direct bearing on the donor’s choices, more so for large contributors.

Also Read About Trademark Registration

80G Tax Exemption for Income Tax from Donors

Tax exemption for income under 80G is available to individual donor based on the status of NGO and type of donation made.

Deduction slabs:

1. 100% deduction without limit
2. 50% deduction without limit
3. 50% of eligible amount upto specified limit

It’s a matter of keeping some rationality with tax planning where sincere charity is a real consequence.

How 80G Tax Benefit Can Be Availed By Donors

Circulate this message: How can I get tax benefits from donating to charity?

Here’s the process:

1. Donate to a 80G certified NGO
2. Obtain a proper donation receipt
3. Please note the PAN of your NGO and approval number should be mentioned in the receipt.
4. Declare donation while filing Income Tax Return
5. Attach scanned copies of receipt if asked during verification

This transparency increases donor trust and subsequent ongoing donations.

Also Read About Section 8 NGO Registration

Difference between 12A and 80G Registration

A common confusion among NGOs is the difference between 12A and 80G registration.

12A/12AB is for NGO income exemption, while 80G is for donor tax exemption.

Documents Required for 80G Certificate

It is important to complete the appropriate paperwork. The following are the documents to be submitted while applying for 80G certificate:

1. NGO Registration Certificate
2. Trust Deed / MOA / AOA
3. PAN of NGO
4. 12A / 12AB Registration Certificate
5. 3 years Financials (if available)
6. Activity reports
7. List of trustees/directors
8. Donor receipts (if temporary registration done)

Lack of documentation is one of the main reasons your application may be denied.

WhatsApp us Today for NGO Registration

Online Application for 80G Certificate

The 80G certificate online application is submitted through the Income Tax portal with Form 10A or 10AB.

Steps involved:

1. Login to e-Filing of Income Tax Return Website
2. 8 Choose Form 10A (provisional) or Form 10AB (regular).
3. Upload documents
4. E-verify submission
5. Respond to clarification (if any)

On approval of File, the NGO is granted 12a registration, electronically from Income Tax Department.

80G Approval Process for NGOs

The 80G registration procedure for NGOs normally consists of the following steps:

1. Application filing
2. Preliminary verification
3. Scrutiny by tax authorities
4. Clarification or additional document request
5. Approval or rejection order

When in professional hands, approvals often come through between 30–90 days.

80G Certificate Validity and Renewal

According to new guidelines, the 80g certificate validity and renewal will not be automatically perpetual.

1. Provisional approval: 3 years
2. Regular approval: 5 years
3. Renewal required before expiry

Failure to renew can result in the loss of donor tax benefits. Start Your NGO Registration Today with Garudamudra

Why Garudamudra for 80G Registration?

At Garudamudra, we are more than ‘filing- forms’, and we guarantee compliance, clarity and continuity.

Our Advantages:

• End-to-end legal handling
• Error-free documentation
• Quickly respond to notices from the tax department
• NGO-focused advisory approach
• Affordable, transparent pricing

FAQs – About 80G Certificate for NGOs (2026)

Q: What is an 80G certificate for NGOs?

It is a tax designation that permits contributions to be deducted by donors.

Q: Is it compulsory for an NGO to get 80G Registration?

It’s not required but necessary for fundraising.

Q: Can a new NGO apply for 80G?

Yes, through provisional registration.

Q: How do I get 80G certificate for NGO fast now?

Document and file everything professionally.

Q: Is 12A mandatory before 80G?

Yes, 12A/12AB is compulsory.

Q: What is the 80G validity?

5 years for regular approval.

Q: Can foreign donations claim 80G?

No, 80G is only for Indian taxpayers.

Q: What happens if 80G expires?

Donors cannot claim tax benefits.

Q: Is online 80G certificate application mandatory?

Yes, only online is available.

Q: Who grants 80G approval?

The Income Tax Department.

Conclusion

An 80G certificate is more than a piece of paper it’s a trust signal that fuels confidence among donors and drives growth for an NGO. When you know what you are doing, it is easy to comply.

Garudamudra is there with you in every step.