How can you help?

The Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas is funded exclusively by its members and friends. The purchase of the new church building could be financed through the sale of the previous church and a mortgage. Likewise, the parish must finance the costs of adapting the church for Orthodox liturgical use.

Donations to the parish are tax-deductible

The parish is an officially registered religious organization. Together with the other Orthodox parishes and monasteries in the Netherlands the parish has been granted the status of a registered charity by the Tax Office, based on the official list of parishes and monasteries issued by the Orthodox Fellowship "St Nicholas of Myra". This means that donations to the parish can be deducted from your income tax declaration. The combined amount of gifts to the parish and to other charities which falls between 1% and 10% of your determination income (threshold) is deductible. Look hier (pdf) for the Act of recognition of the parishes on the list of the Fellowship. Look here (pdf) for the formal confirmation that the parish is on the list of the fellowship.

You can help in other ways, too

Annuity Gift via a Notarial Act:

The above-mentioned minimum and maximum percentages do not apply if you decide to support the parish via a periodic gift arrangement which is set up at the outset (via a notarial act) for at least five years. Such gifts are pledged and paid-out equal yearly amounts, and to be deductible they must stop if the giver passes away. If you choose this option your gifts are deductible regardless of your income. It is possible that there may be an interaction with gift tax.

Interest-Free Loan:

You may also support the parish via an interest-free loan for a 10-year term. During the first five years, the loan is not redeemed; after that, annually 20% of the amount will be returned to your bank account.

Bequests:

In principle, bequests to the parish are exempted from inheritance tax.

Practical Help:

Much work will be required to prepare the new building for the parish. You or your company are invited to help. Ideas and proposals are welcome. Please contact the Foundation of Friends of the Russian Orthodox Church in Amsterdam at Stichting@orthodox.nl.