As we already know that an NGO can avail income tax exemption by getting itself registered and complying with certain other formalities, but such registration doesn't provide any benefit to the persons making donations. The Income Tax Act has certain provisions which offer tax benefits to the "donors". All NGOs should avail the advantage of these provisions to attract potential donors. Section 35AC is one of such sections.
The Central Government approves certain NGOs and notifies them as eligible for project or schemes for the purposes of section 35AC. If an NGO succeeds in getting such an approval for its projects then it stands a very good chance of mobilising funds from the corporate and the business sector. Business houses making contribution to such approved projects are allowed the benefits of deducting such contribution as expenditure.
The Central Government has constituted a National Committee to identify projects and schemes to be notified under section 35AC, such committee normally consists of eminent persons. All NGOs are entitled to apply to the National Committee to get its projects or schemes approved.
The application for approval by the National Committee should be made to the Secretary, National Committee for Promotion of Social & Economic Welfare, Dept. of Revenue, Govt. of India, North Block, New Delhi - 110001.
Documents for registration u/s 35ac