[WikiEN-l] Personal donations to Wikipedia

[Ray Saintonge]

Lisa Thurston wrote:

>Why haven't tax professionals been consulted to specify exactly what the
>tax-deductibility status donations to Wikipedia have in the top donor
>countries? It should be found out and explictly specified on the home page.
>I for one won't donate without knowing my donation is tax-deductible in
>Australia. And if, for instance, it did say "tax deductible in Australia"
>Aussies *would* notice it instantly seriously consider donating!
>
>In fact, if the answer for Australia or Canada or Sweden or whatever is "not
>deductible" then Wikipedia should make a request for Wikipedians in those
>countries to form local chapters to obtain the NGO/charity status. This
>wouldn't just help Wikimedia out by generating more revenue, but create a
>stronger Wikipedian community outside US and central Europe.
>
The natural preumption in regards to tax deductibility is that unless it 
is clearly stated that something is deductible it isn't.

I can speak foor the Canadian situation.  In current circumstances these 
donations are not now deductible except to the extent that the person 
has US source income.   Even if we were to to have a formal Canadian 
shapter, it will be a couple of years befor the donations can be made 
tax deductible.

Ec