With effect from 1 January 2005, double tax deductions will be granted for all cash donations to IPCs and certain in-kind donations to approved institutions, whether or not they involve naming opportunities.
Prior to 1 Jan 2005, donations with naming opportunities would only be granted a single tax deduction. The extension of the double tax deductions to include donations with naming opportunities is meant to encourage more donors to come forward, to give larger donations, and to cultivate lasting relationships with the beneficiaries they have lent their names to.
The table below further elaborates on the types of donations that will be granted double tax deduction. Other forms of in-kind donations that do not fall under the list will not be awarded double tax deduction.
| Donation Scheme |
Eligible Recipient |
Eligible Donor |
| Cash donations |
Approved IPCs |
All donors |
| Gift of shares listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) or of units in unit trusts readily tradeable in Singapore |
Approved IPCs |
Individual donors only |
| Gifts of computer hardware, software and peripherals |
Approved IPCs and other prescribed education, research or other institutions |
Corporate donors only |
| Gifts of artefacts |
Approved museums (by the National Heritage Board) |
All donors |
| Adoption, commission or donation of public sculptures |
The National Heritage Board or approved recipients |
All donors |
| Gifts of parcels of land or buildings |
Approved IPCs |
All donors |
In addition, do note that only the following donations with “naming opportunities” will be granted double tax deduction:
a. donations to name IPCs, IPC facilities, events or programmes,
b. donations to name facilities of approved beneficiaries (including artefacts and public sculptures) under any of the other approved donation programmes,
c. donations under any of the approved donation programme where the IPC or approved beneficiary acknowledges the donation by including the donor's name or logo in the IPC's collaterals (e.g. banners, publications, advertisements).
Double tax deduction will not be given in cases where the donor is essentially advertising at the IPC facility, event or programme. Such forms of advertisement include, but are not limited to, the display of the donor's own banners, products, or other collaterals at the IPC facility, event or programme. Such advertisements might be more appropriately regarded as advertising expenses.
Enhancement to deductions on donations
For donations made during the period from 1 Jan 2009 to 31 Dec 2010, the tax deduction was enhanced to 250%. The tax deduction of 250% will be extended for another five years for donations made during 1 Jan 2011 to 31 Dec 2015. All existing criteria to qualify for tax deduction remain unchanged.