Busuttil repeats call to extend MCCF tax rebate to all donations

Simon Busutti says that Opposition will put forward proposal regarding government's role in Malta Council for Economic and Social Development 

Simon Busuttil addresses a MCESD meeting. Photo: Chris Mangion
Simon Busuttil addresses a MCESD meeting. Photo: Chris Mangion

PN leader Simon Busuttil repeated his call to the government to extend its tax rebate scheme for donations to the Malta Community Chest Fund to include donations made to all NGOs.

"While the governments tax rebate scheme for the MCCF is a good idea, it should be extended to donations made to all NGOs," Busuttil told the committee of civil society within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. "Otherwise, people will prefer donating to the MCCF rather than to NGOs such as Puttinu and Hospice Movement, therefore negatively impacting civil organisations."

The Malta Community Chest Fund organises the annual charity telethon l-iStrina during Christmas. Through this scheme, businesses which donate over €2,000 to the Malta Community Chest will be entitled to a tax rebate, with half of their donations qualifying as ‘business expenses’.

A number of NGOS have already spoken out against this scheme and Ben Rizzo, Civil Society President within the MCESD was the latest to condemn it.
Busuttil also said that the time has come to discuss whether the government should remain a member of the MCESD. 

"Should the MCESD remain solely for unions, employers and civil organisations without them working in the governments shadow?" Busuttil questioned. "The Opposition will eventually put forward a proposal about this."