Global Citizen Ltd v Commissioner of the ACNC: How are charities interpreted to be PBI’s?
Case citation: Global Citizen Ltd and Commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission [2021] AATA 3313 Recent cases concerning the type of charities considered to be PBIs (Public Benevolent Institutions) have shown that the term ‘benevolent’ is slowly being interpreted to have wider scope. Background to Case Global Citizen Ltd v Commissioner of the […]
New Reporting Requirements for Charities
What Are The New Requirements? The ACNC has announced new reporting requirements: charities must report on related party transactions in their Annual Information Statement from 2023 and onward. In general, related party transactions are transactions between persons that have a relationship with the charity. Who a related party is considered to be, and their specific […]
How are Environmental Organisations Being Changed Structurally?
What is the New Act? The Treasury Laws Amendment (Refining and Improving Our Tax System) Act 2023 (Cth) has outlined many changes for Environmental Organisations in terms of their status as a charity. While most of the Act has recently come into force, the section pertaining to Environmental Organisations will only come into force on […]
Changes to Charity Registration
There have been recent important changes to charity law regarding charity registration, with regards to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Refining and Improving our Tax System) Act 2023, and charity fundraising. What are the Changes? The Treasury Laws Amendment (Refining and Improving our Tax System) Act 2023, which came into law on 28 June 2023, has […]
Reforms Coming for Fundraising Regulations
What Are The Current Fundraising Laws Like? Currently, fundraising laws in Australia are different for each jurisdiction, and there are a multitude of regulations that charities must be compliant with to ensure that they can fundraise accordingly. These compliance requirements cost charities an exorbitant amount of money that could otherwise be directed towards their charitable […]
Is My Sporting Club a Charity?
In Australia, being registered as a charity has numerous advantages for organisations which are pursuing benefactory, charitable or not-for-profit purposes. Amongst other things, it qualifies them for tax exemptions, at both a State and Commonwealth level, and registration as a charity is therefore desirable for many bodies, and sometimes vital to their work. Sporting clubs, […]
What if I Forget to Meet My Reporting Requirements as a Charity?
Registered charities are, by law, required to submit an Annual Information Statement to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission outlining the charity’s operations and finances over a 12-month period. Certain charities, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations, basic religious charities, and non-government schools may not be required to submit the Annual Information Statement […]
‘Used and Occupied’: How the University of Melbourne Changed Tax Law for Charities
Key Points: Charities are generally exempt from land tax in Victoria, when they are in active ‘use’ of the land for their charitable purposes. A recent Supreme Court decision involving the University of Melbourne (which is a registered charity) found that the word ‘use’ extends to merely renting out land. The Parliament of Victoria reacted […]
The New Process to Register for Tax-Deductible Donations: How Your Charity Might Be Affected
Currently, certain charities have the status which allows them to receive tax-deductible donations. This status provides a significant advantage to charities insofar as it allows donors to make larger donations, with pre-tax dollars. For donors in the top marginal tax bracket (currently 45%), this represents a substantial benefit to the fundraising efforts of any particular […]
So, you are a registered PBI…but do you know about your legal entitlements?
Not for profits play an integral role in our community. In recognition of the contribution made by the charity sector, the government provides extra tax benefits to their employees, by allowing a greater tax savings and salary packaging. These are known as “fringe benefits.” Under section 57A Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986, a charity […]