Momentum wants percentage of tax to go to voluntary organisations
'Organisations that own their own premises should also receive financial help for their utility bills'
Momentum wants a small percentage of tax to go to voluntary organisations chosen by the taxpayer themselves.
While automatic income deductions are already allowed, these are limited to donations to the Malta Community Chest Fund.
Extending this system to all enrolled voluntary organisations would give citizens the freedom to support the causes they believe in, the party said on Wednesday as it gears up for the upcoming general election.
The party said it had met with the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector to discuss election proposals.
“We endorse several proposals put forward by MCVS, including the introduction of a system similar to Italy’s ‘eight per thousand’ (otto per mille), which would allow taxpayers in Malta to allocate 0.8% of their annual income tax, which they already pay, to a voluntary organisation of their choice," Momentum's Matthew Agius said.
Momentum also favours financial assistance on utility bills for organisations who pwn their own premises.
This measure has been introduced to aid voluntary organisations active in disability and animal welfare. It is now time to broaden it to all areas of the voluntary sector, the party added.
There should also be a public service work release scheme through which a pool of public service employees is made available to help voluntary organisations based on expertise needs.
Such an idea should be extended to the private sector through tax rebates for employers who release staff to VOs, treated on the same basis as charitable donations.
"Momentum also proposes that registered volunteers receive accredited points that can be used for tax credits, as well as formal recognition in CVs. Such tax credits for volunteers will especially help youths with finding employment and accumulating tax credits, which they will find beneficial in their first working years," Agius added.
This is what Momentum is proposing:
- Allow taxpayers to allocate 0.8% of their income tax to a voluntary organisation of their choice
- Provide financial assistance on water and electricity bills to voluntary organisations with their own premises
- Establish a public service work release scheme to support voluntary organisations based on expertise needs. Extend such an initiative to the private sector through tax rebates for employers
- Introduce accredited points for registered volunteers, linked to tax credits and CV recognition