VAT snatches €36m from charities

THE Government is snatching over €36 million a year in VAT from Irish charities.

Fundraising organisations said money paid in VAT could be put to better use in helping the poor, the sick and others most in need.

The Irish Charities Tax Reform Group (ICTRG), representing 140 organisations countrywide, has called on Finance Minister Brian Cowen to abolish VAT paid by charities.