Open register received sums or account for receiving religious donations

On January 19, 2023, the Minister of Finance issues Circular No. 04/2023/TT-BTC providing guidelines for the management, collection, and use of funding for the organization of festivals and religious donations or grants for relic sites and festivities.

In accordance with Article 9, the receipt of religious donations or grants for relic sites and festivities as follows:

- Religious donations or grants in the form of bank transfer or electronic payment:  Must apply for a deposit account to be opened at a State Treasury or a commercial bank to record transactions involving the receipt, management, and use.

- In cash:

• Appoint a person to receive and fully register received sums.
• Received banknotes or physical money contained in offering or donation boxes shall be counted, checked, and recorded in total.
• Banknotes or physical money is given in places other than permissible ones, or not in conformity with the civilized lifestyle rules of relic sites shall be collected for counting or put in the donation boxes for counting.
• Temporarily available cash sums paid for the organization of the festival shall be deposited into an account opened at a State Treasury or a commercial bank to ensure that they are in safe and transparent custody;

- Security instruments: Create the register of security instruments, sums shown thereon, and issuing organizations.

Individuals and organizations that are the owners or authorized custodians or operators of relic sites shall be responsible for the management and use of security instruments, including payment made before or on due dates, depending on managerial requirements and aspirations of donators or givers.

- Receiving precious metals or jewels: Create a register of precious metals, jewels, and information about their respective values provided by donating or giving to individuals or organizations.

Individuals and organizations that are the owners or authorized custodians or operators of relic sites shall be responsible for the management and use of precious metals or jewels, involving the act of putting them up for an auction; selling them to commercial banks; keeping or displaying them at relic sites, depending on managerial requirements and aspirations of donators or givers.

Circular No. 04/2023/TT-BTC takes effect on March 19, 2023.