Q&A: The charity tax row However, if they want to donate more, they will have to use money on which they have already paid tax. Why is this necessary? The Chancellor believes some of the richest people in society are abusing the tax relief system to reduce their income tax bills too much. In the Budget, George Osborne said: "It can't be right that some people make unlimited use of these reliefs year after year. Everyone in this country and particularly those with the highest incomes should contribute a fair share to the Exchequer. Since then, the government has argued that many wealthy individuals end up paying far lower tax rates than the poorest, simply by choosing to make charitable donations. It is possible to donate enough money to charity to bring an individual's tax bill down to zero. Donors do not personally benefit from the arrangement, but, unlike normal taxpayers, they can choose exactly where their money is spent. Will this measure undermine David Cameron's Big Society agenda? Hundreds of charities and some of the most generous philanthropists in the country have lined up to oppose the plan, warning it will "put people off" giving to good causes. A campaigning website has already attracted the support of 900 charities. Opponents include Thomas Hughes-Hallett, What is being done to resolve the crisis? Talks have begun between Treasury ministers and representatives of leading charities. The Chancellor's aides point out that he has always said he would work closely with charities over the next year to ensure that they were not significantly hurt by the reform. David Cameron, George Osborne and William Hague, the three most senior Tories in government, have promised to be "very sympathetic" to the concerns raised. Possible solutions could include examining an American-style system of tax breaks for donating assets to charity, such as shares, instead of income.