Urgent Call For Charities Facing Status Revocation to Get in Touch
10 April 2018 at 10:11 am
More than 100 Australian charities which have not reported to the national charity regulator could be set to lose their charity status.
The Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission is calling on a list of more than 100 registered charities which have at least two outstanding Annual Information Statements to get in touch after their mail was returned unopened.
The ACNC said it had attempted to contact these charities several times by phone, email and letter to remind them of their need to report to the ACNC, but had not been successful.
ACNC assistant commissioner David Locke told Pro Bono News the charities now faced losing their status.
“I encourage people to check the list and if you recognise anyone, to let the charity know that they are in danger of having their registration revoked,” Locke said.
“Usually we would write to charities to warn them that they risk revocation, however, we have been unable to reach this group.
“This may mean that they have wound up, or they have simply changed their contact information and failed to let us know.”
All registered charities have an obligation to notify the ACNC of changes to contact details and submit an Annual Information Statement every year.
Locke cautioned that any charities which have their status revoked would lose access to all Commonwealth charity tax concessions, exemptions or benefits.
“Registration with the ACNC is a prerequisite for attaining Commonwealth charity tax concessions such as deductible gift recipient status, income tax exemption, Fringe Benefits Tax rebates, and Goods and Services Tax concessions,” he said.
“Charities that have their status revoked by the ACNC will no longer be able to access Commonwealth charity tax concessions.”
In a public notice of intention to revoke the registration of the charities, the ACNC said the charities had until 13 April to provide reasons why they should not have their registration revoked.
The list of charities can be found here.
