Paying a Tip with Ma’aser Money
Question:
Many donating platforms offer free processing for the organization that is collecting money, and the ask the people donating to leave a tip or pay for the processing fee.
That fee is not required in order to donate.
Can I pay this fee or the tip with Ma’aser money. Or do I need to say that I don’t want to pay the fee if I am using Ma’aser money?
Answer:
I understand that the following are the two options, for example:
1. Donate $30 without paying a $1 fee. The organization will then have to pay this $1 fee and end up earning only $29.
2. Donate $30 and pay the $1 fee. The organization will then earn $30.
In both of these cases, you may consider that you gave Ma’aser equivalent of the greater amount (i.e., $30 and $31 respectively).
Sources:
ראה משנת המשפט רמז ע׳ פז.
#13512
What About this Case:
Donate $30 without paying a $1 fee. The organization won’t then have to pay this $1 fee themselves and still end up earning the $30 however they give you the option to pay it, if you don’t the $1 fee is being sponsored by the website hosting the campaign.
In such a case can the $1 fee be paid with Ma’aser?
In this case, no.