The deadline for filing individual income tax returns is fast approaching. Taxpayers have until May 29 to submit their information to the Internal Revenue Service and avoid late filing penalties. But what many people still don’t know is that this time of year can also be an opportunity to make a social impact. It’s possible to allocate a portion of your tax liability to projects that transform lives, without spending a single extra penny.
Under current law, taxpayers can allocate up to 6% of their annual tax liability. For those who choose to make the donation directly on their tax return, the limit is up to 3%. In both cases, the amount is deducted from the tax bill; that is, instead of going entirely to the government, part of it is directed toward social initiatives chosen by the taxpayer.
This option directly supports projects that serve children and adolescents in vulnerable situations. The funds are forwarded to the Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents (CMDCA), which subsequently transfers them to institutions through formal partnerships with the government.
According to the president of the Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of Betim (CMDCA), Vânia Elias, this mechanism is essential for the continuity of social initiatives. “These allocations are fundamental to keeping projects running. It is through them that many institutions are able to ensure care and opportunities for children and adolescents. And most importantly: it is a simple action, at no additional cost to the donor, with a significant social impact. Furthermore, the entire process is carried out with great responsibility and transparency,” she emphasizes.
To receive the funds, institutions must be properly registered with the CMDCA, have fulfilled their obligations, and have projects that have been previously approved.
The Ramacrisna Institute, for example, currently has two projects eligible to receive funding:
Orchestrating the Future IV
Focused on the musical training of young people, the project offers workshops, weekly rehearsals, and performances, encouraging professional development and the appreciation of classical music.
Girls in Network
The initiative seeks to develop skills in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), with a focus on the social inclusion of adolescents, especially girls in vulnerable situations.
According to Aline Fauez, project coordinator at the Ramacrisna Institute, taxpayer participation is essential. “When a person allocates part of their tax, they are investing directly in the future of young people who need opportunities. These funds make concrete actions possible, such as professional training, access to culture, and technological inclusion,” she says.
How to Donate
To have the donation deducted from your tax liability, you must choose the full taxation model. Simply access the Federal Revenue Service program, select the type of fund to which you wish to allocate your donation—in this case, select the “municipal” field—fill in the indicated fields, and generate the DARF payment slip. Upon making the payment, the taxpayer must email the receipt to the Betim Council for Children and Adolescents (cmdcafiabetim@gmail.com) with a copy to Ramacrisna (ramacrisna@ramacrisna.org.br), also specifying the name of the project to which you wish to allocate the donation. If this information is not provided in full, the transfer will not be processed. On the Ramacrisna Institute website, you will find a complete description of the projects and step-by-step instructions for making your donation.
