An 80G donation receipt is more than a thank-you note — it is the document that lets your donors claim tax deductions, and it carries legal weight for your NGO. This guide covers what a proper 80G receipt should contain, the rules around issuing it, a practical template, and how to send receipts instantly.
What is an 80G receipt?
When a donor gives to an institution approved under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, the institution issues a receipt that confirms the donation. The donor uses this receipt while filing their income tax return to claim the deduction. Since the introduction of Form 10BE, the donor's certificate is generated as part of the annual statement — but the immediate, numbered receipt your NGO issues remains the primary acknowledgement donors receive and expect.
What should an 80G donation receipt contain?
| Field | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Receipt number and date | Sequential, never-reused numbering is the first thing auditors check |
| Donor's full name and address | Must match the donor's tax records |
| Donor's PAN | Required for cash donations of ₹2,000 or more; essential for deduction claims and AIS matching |
| Donation amount (words and figures) | Prevents disputes and alteration |
| Mode of payment | Cash, cheque, UPI, bank transfer or in-kind |
| Purpose / fund | Earmarked donations must be identified |
| NGO's name, address and 80G approval details | Approval number/URN and validity period confirm your 80G status |
| Authorised signature | Physical or digital, as per your policy |
The rules that trip NGOs up
- 80G status must be valid. Receipts issued under an expired or in-renewal 80G approval create problems for donors. Track your approval validity and renew before expiry.
- Cash above ₹2,000 is not deductible. Donations in cash above ₹2,000 do not qualify for the 80G deduction, so encourage bank, UPI or cheque payments — and make them easy with payment links.
- Deduction percentage varies. Some funds allow 100% deduction, others 50%, and certain donations face a cap relative to the donor's income. State the applicable category carefully or let your CA advise on wording.
- Numbering discipline. Never reuse receipt numbers. If a receipt is cancelled, keep the number with a cancellation note — auditors check exactly this.
A practical 80G receipt template
Receipt No.: ____ · Date: ____
Received with thanks from [Donor Name], PAN [PAN], the sum of ₹[Amount] (Rupees [in words] only) by [mode] towards [purpose/fund].
[NGO Name] is registered under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961, Approval No. [URN], valid up to [date]. Donations may qualify for deduction under Section 80G — donors should confirm eligibility with their tax advisor.
For [NGO Name]
Authorized Signatory
Send receipts instantly, not in March
The most common donor complaint is not the receipt format — it is the wait. Receipts typed by hand in March for a donation made in June erode trust and trigger endless follow-ups. With Donexia, a receipt is generated the moment the donation is recorded and sent to the donor automatically by WhatsApp, SMS or email. Online donations through integrated gateways trigger receipts with no manual step at all.
See Donexia's 80G donation receipt software for how numbering, templates and automatic delivery work together, and the Form 10BD guide for the year-end statement these receipts feed into.
This guide is general information, not tax advice. Receipt wording and deduction rules change — confirm current requirements with a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Frequently Asked Questions
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