After going through a tough time with the COVID-19 crisis, all of us are looking forward to ending this season. It is the tax season and is not anyone’s favourite time of the year. However, as responsible citizens, we have to pay our taxes now. Whether you are a salaried employee or a self-employed, a part of your income is deducted as tax. There is a huge list of how you get tax exemption – Public Provident Fund, House Rent Allowance, education loan, donations, etc.
Paying income tax is our responsibility. But, there are ways in which you can save tax too and that effective way is by getting involved with an NGO. That’s right, non-governmental organizations address issues focus on alleviating problems at grass root levels; this could include elderly care, bio conservation, wildlife preservation, hunger, children’s education, etc.
There could be many reasons why you would donate to charities, but isn’t it a bonus if you can change lives and save tax in return? Once you embark upon the journey of giving with Akshaya Patra, you change lives of children who have certain dreams – dreams of becoming a Doctor, a Singer, an Agricultural Officer, A chef, etc.
Read stories of our beneficiary children here.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation is an NGO that serves children with nutritious mid-day meals to children in Government and Government-aided schools. Daily, 1.8 million children are fed with school meals in 52 locations across 12 States & 2 Union Territories. But the pandemic led to the closure of schools for an indefinite time. This resulted in children becoming visibly weaker since they did not get access to their only source of a healthy meal. To continue its service to children, Akshaya Patra began the Happiness Kits programme which ensured that their health, immunity, hygiene and learning was not hampered during the crisis. This programme began on 25th August 2020 and so far, 5 lakh beneficiaries have received the Happiness Kit that provides them with peanuts, desi chana, jaggery, ragi flour, turmeric powder, soaps, sanitisers, sanitary pack (for girl beneficiaries), activity workbook and stationeries. Yet, 13 lakh mid-day meal beneficiaries await for their share of Happiness Kits.
Provide Happiness Kits & gain income tax exemption by donating here.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed the reopening of schools in a phase-wise manner. But the question remains – Are schools safe for children now? To support the safe reopening of schools, Akshaya Patra has started the School Reopen Sanitisation Project. By providing personal items like masks and water bottles; hygiene items like sanitisers and soaps; infrastructural materials like sanitiser dispenser; and posters that create awareness and re-iterate social distancing, are provided to each school. This means that children can be safe, secure and yet enjoy the classroom atmosphere.
Ensure a healthy learning environment for children by donating here.
Every donation is utilised towards the betterment of children’s health – either by serving mid-day meals or by distributing Happiness Kits or creating a safe school environment. Donate and save tax under section 80G of the Income Tax of India, 1961. All donations made above ₹500 are eligible for tax exemption. It’s a win-win situation where you support a noble cause and save in return.
