Donations to the hurricane relief effort in the United States through the Salvation Army will now be tax deductible.
The Salvation Army Australia Hurricane Katrina Relief Appeal has been approved for deductible gift recipient (DGR) status by the Australian Government.
"The Salvation Army has a proud history of offering comfort and support to victims and their families in times of emergency and national disaster. The Salvation Army in the United States is playing a significant role in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
"Individuals and organisations in Australia who wish to donate to the Hurricane Katrina effort can now do so through either the Australian Salvation Army or the Australian Red Cross and receive a tax deduction," Federal Assistant Treasurer Mal Brough said today.
The approval for tax deductibility for this fund is over and above the Australian Government's donation of $A10 million to assist those most affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
The law will be amended to allow deductibility for gifts to the Salvation Army Australia Hurricane Katrina Relief Appeal for a period of one year from 2 September 2005.
Australians making donations to the relief effort should keep their receipts for tax purposes.