If you are from one of the many landcare and environmental volunteer organisations currently taking action in response to the Australian Tax Office’s (ATO) new reporting requirements for not-for-profit organisations – or still trying to figure out if this issue affects your group/network – this update is for you.
We are pleased to announce Landcare Victoria has received funding from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to provide additional support to organisations facing this issue, which will include regular online drop-in information sessions and one-on-one support sessions. Landcare Victoria’s Project Officer, Amanda Grace, will be available to help you make sense of the changes and guide you through any actions you need to take. Session booking information coming soon!
In the meantime, please don’t panic – there is no need to rush into immediate action if you’re not ready. The ATO announced it has extended its reporting deadlines through to 31 March 2025 (for ‘non-charitable NFPs’ eligible to self-assess as income tax-exempt) and 15 May 2025 (for ‘taxable NFPs’ lodging tax returns). The result of this is that landcare organisations (‘charitable NFPs’) will have more time to register as a charity with the Australian Charities & Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and be endorsed as income tax exempt before the ATO can assess who has failed to report on time.
The charity registration process is complex and we have received feedback that approval has taken up to six weeks for recent applicants. Any problems which require the ACNC to follow up will only draw the process out further.
Based on this information, we are currently recommending any organisation needing to register with the ACNC should take your time to prepare your application carefully, get assistance from us over the coming months if needed, and aim to submit the form by mid-February at the latest.
Not sure if this applies to you? Please refer to the resources we have created on income tax and charity registration for more information.
