Last updated: 2026-08-29; Google Ticket Number:#9-2777000041594
From Google: clarification on whether an IRS 501(c)(6) determination satisfies “tax exempt donations”.
Since 28 August, Google has rejected updates to AnkiDroid on the Play Store. Unless resolved, AnkiDroid will be removed from Google Play on11 Septemberworldwide (except for India and Russia).
AnkiDroid is a free, open-source flashcard app for Android with over 10 million installs, used worldwide for various purposes, primarily in medical education and language learning.
AnkiDroid’sdonationsgo toOpen Source Collective, a US non-profit which acts as our fiscal host. It holds an IRS determination letter stating that it is tax-exempt under 501(c)(6). This determination letter has been provided to Google.
Google support’s last reply is as follows:
As mentioned in the previous email, we reviewed the documentation you submitted but found that your app still violates the Payments policy.
You can refer to the attached screenshot for additional information.
Google Support have not explained why a 501(c)(6) determination is insufficient.
501(c)(6) is a tax-exempt status; donations are not tax-deductible for the donor. Google’s communications explicitly state “tax-exempt”.
We are forced to remove donation links immediately from our Play Store build in 2.24.X, and are doing so under protest, as otherwise we would be unable to distribute AnkiDroid to the majority of our users who use the Play Store.
AnkiDroid is the Anki client for Android, developed and maintained by volunteers. Nothing is sold in the app and our Open Collective is the sole source of funding for maintenance and development. AnkiDroid is independent from Anki, AnkiWeb, AnkiMobile, and AnkiHub.