tax deductions for donations saved at the last minute

They can be satisfied. At the end of a battle of advocacy carried out in the middle of the budget debate in the National Assembly, the associations managed to safeguard the rate of reduction of donations deductible from the real estate wealth tax (IFI) which amounts to 75% . Good news for very well-off taxpayers, but especially for these organizations and foundations which will be able to keep solidarity actions aimed at the most deprived afloat. Starting with Catholic networks, the main players in volunteering 1. The amendment tabled by the MP for Nièvre Perrine Goulet (MoDem) was rejected on October 25 in the Finance Committee.

At the same time, an amendment from the LFI group aimed at restricting tax advantages linked to sponsorship suffered a similar fate. First victories, therefore, for the associations. But ill winds are also blowing over the 66% tax deduction on income tax for donations from individuals. In mid-October, the Court of Auditors recommended reducing this reduction to 50%. According to the administrative jurisdiction, this reduction would allow timely savings at a time when the budget deficit amounts to 6.1% of GDP. These income tax deductions represented a shortfall for the State of 1.7 billion euros in 2021.

Alarming context

The offensive on deductions is not new, it comes back every year during budgetary periods. But the economic context alarmed the charitable sector. “Of course, our actions have a fiscal cost for the State, but they have no price for the cohesion of our country,” insists Jean-Marie Destrée, general delegate of the Caritas France Foundation, whose parent company is Secours Catholic. By affecting our funding, we threatened in particular our support for the most vulnerable, the distribution of food aid and emergency accommodation. » The general delegate recalls that the fourth quarter alone represents 50% of the year’s donation collection for associations and foundations. “Despite the uncertainties of the moment, we have no choice but to call on our donors to stand by us and continue to be generous. »

1) Ifop survey for the association Le dinner des builders, November 2024.

2) Source: DGFIP study, January 2024.