Double defaulter charities risk loss of charity status

More than 1,300 registered charities are at risk of having the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) revoke their registration, for twice failing to submit their annual reports.

ACNC Commissioner, Susan Pascoe, explained that these charities were persistently not meeting their obligations.

“Registered charities are required to submit an Annual Information Statement to the ACNC each year,” Pascoe said.

“The great majority of charities do the right thing and submit their reports yearly.

“This means the community has up-to-date information on the Register, and is able to make informed decisions about donating, volunteering or issuing a grant.”

Pascoe said not only is submitting the Annual Information Statement a legislative requirement, it also shows a commitment to transparency and accountability.

“These charities have already failed to submit an Annual Information Statement for either 2014 or 2015, and are now overdue in submitting their 2016 report,” she said.

“This is what we call a ‘double defaulter’, which is grounds for revocation of charity status.

“These charities must submit their outstanding reports immediately to maintain their charity status.”

The charities listed have until 27 March 2017 to submit their overdue Annual Information Statements before their status is revoked.

Pascoe warned that charities revoked in this process will lose access to Commonwealth tax concessions.

“ACNC registration is a prerequisite for obtaining generous Commonwealth charity tax concessions,” Pascoe said.

“If these charities fail to submit their outstanding reports, the ACNC will revoke their charity status, and this will mean that they are no longer able to access Commonwealth charity tax concessions.

“This of course is a very serious consequence, which is why we are going to great lengths to warn these charities before we take action.”

Potential double defaulters by state/territory:

• ACT – 16
• NSW – 545
• NT – 12
• QLD – 205
• SA – 75
• TAS – 31
• VIC – 265
• WA – 165