Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Keep your NFP records up to date

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Did you know that you’re legally required to keep certain records for your not-for-profit (NFP)? All organisations including NFPs are required to keep accurate and complete records of all transactions relating to their tax and superannuation affairs. Generally, for tax purposes, you must keep your records in an accessible form (either printed or electronic) for 5 years.

Records that you are required to keep include:

  • governing documents
  • financial reports
  • tax invoices
  • documentation relating to grants
  • registrations and certificates.

A good record keeping system will help you run your NFP successfully and help you manage your tax and super obligations.

If your NFP is endorsed as a deductible gift recipient (DGR), you must keep records that explain all transactions and other acts relevant to your organisation’s status as a DGR. This requirement applies to both endorsed DGRs and listed by name DGRs.

If you want to learn more about effective record keeping to keep your NFP on track, take our online Record keepingExternal Link course. This free course will give you the opportunity to dive deeper into the records you need to maintain and ask questions relevant to your NFP. NFPs share many tax obligations with small businesses, and the Small Business online learning platform is a valuable resource to help you avoid common mistakes and understand the tax and super obligations of your NFP better.

If your NFP needs more information phone our NFP Advice Service on 1300 130 248, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm AEST.

Keep up to date

Read more articles in the Not-for-profit newsroom and, if you haven’t already, subscribeExternal Link to our free monthly newsletter Not-for-profit news to be alerted when we publish new articles.

For updates throughout the month, Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Moltisanti regularly shares blog posts and updates on her LinkedInExternal Link profile. And you can check out our online platform ATO CommunityExternal Link to find answers to your tax and super questions.

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Monthly exchange rates for 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin












Monthly exchange rates for 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 | Australian Taxation Office





















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ATO welcomes review on the management of financial abuse within the tax system

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) welcomes the release of the Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman’s report into the ATO’s identification and management of financial abuse within the tax system.

Financial abuse is a serious issue which can have significant impacts for victims. 

The ATO has an important role in supporting taxpayers impacted by financial abuse, whilst ensuring the continued integrity of the tax system.

We agree with all recommendations provided in the Tax Ombudsman’s report, and value the perspectives of those who contributed to the report, including the lived experience of victim survivors.

The Tax Ombudsman’s findings help us to increase our understanding of community expectations and real-life experiences, so we can better support taxpayers impacted by financial abuse.

Several of the report’s recommendations build on work already underway in the ATO to support vulnerable clients.

The ATO’s Vulnerability Capability is strengthening and coordinating the way we support people experiencing vulnerability. This includes the development of a framework and specific actions and to support people experiencing vulnerability, including financial abuse.

The ATO welcomes insights on how to further strengthen and coordinate support for taxpayers that have experienced financial abuse, including considering improvements to our existing procedures in place to support these taxpayers.

We recognise the Tax Ombudsman’s findings in relation to the ATO’s role ensuring the integrity of the tax system and in holding perpetrators of financial abuse to account within our existing powers.

We commit to further engagement and consultation with other government agencies and community groups and leveraging existing support and programs to address financial abuse within the tax system.

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If your NFP is taxable, you must lodge your return soon

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Taxable not-for-profits (NFPs) need to lodge an income tax return or non-lodgment advice by 15 May.

Who needs to lodge?

Taxable NFPs include organisations that do not meet the criteria for income tax exemption. These organisations must lodge an income tax return to report their taxable income and pay any tax due. The types of NFPs that may need to lodge an income tax return include:

  • NFP companies
  • Other taxable companies
  • Taxable trusts or partnerships

Lodgment due date

Organisations with an income year ending 30 June, have until 15 May 2025 to lodge the 2023–24 income tax return If you have an ATO approved SAP your due date to lodge the 2023-24 income tax return is determined by your approved balance date. It’s important for NFPs to meet this deadline to avoid any penalties or interest charges.

Preparing for lodgment

To prepare for lodgment, taxable NFPs should:

Review financial records: Ensure all financial records are accurate and up to date.

Determine taxable income: Calculate the organization’s taxable income for the financial year.

Complete the tax return: Use the appropriate tax return form for your NFP’s structure (e.g., company tax return, trust tax return).

How to lodge

There are several ways to lodge the income tax return:

Online: The quickest and easiest method is through Online services for business.

Registered tax agent: A registered tax agent can lodge the return on your NFP’s behalf.

Paper lodgment: If online lodgment is not possible, you can lodge a paper return by mail.

Support and resources

Here are some various resources to assist NFPs with their tax return lodgment:

NFP Guide to the Company Tax Return: This guide provides detailed instructions on how to complete the company tax return for NFPs.

Online services: Access to online lodgment and support tools.

Read more articles in the Not-for-profit newsroom and, if you haven’t already, subscribeExternal Link to our free monthly newsletter Not-for-profit news to be alerted when we publish new articles.

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Act now to ensure your governing documents are accurate

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

A not-for-profit (NFP) is required to maintain governing documents that demonstrate they operate on a NFP basis, including organisations that self-assess their income tax exemption. These governing documents must include clauses that prevent the NFP from distributing income or assets to members, both while it operates and when it winds up.

NFP self-review return requirement

Non-charitable NFPs with an active Australian business number (ABN) must lodge an annual NFP self-review return to notify us of their eligibility to self-assess as income tax exempt. When completing the return, NFPs must confirm they follow clauses in their governing documents that prohibit distribution of income or assets to members.

What if your NFP doesn’t have these governing document clauses?

  • As a transitional arrangement NFPs can self-assess as income tax exempt in their first self-review return for the 2023–24 income year, provided they’ve not distributed any assets or income to its members.
  • NFPs must update their governing documents by 30 June 2025 to continue self-assessing as income tax exempt for the 2024–25 income year.
  • If your NFP doesn’t have clauses that prohibit distributions to members in its governing documents by 30 June 2025, it cannot self-assess as income tax exempt for the 2024–25 income year onwards. This may result in your NFP needing to lodge an income tax return.
  • Updates to governing documents cannot be backdated. It can take time to update your governing documents, as you may need to hold an annual general meeting (AGM) to note any amendments. So be sure get started as soon as possible so you don’t run out of time.

What are governing documents?

Governing documents outline your organisation’s purpose, NFP character, and operational guidelines. They may be called by names such as your NFP’s rules or articles of association, constitution, rule book, or deed of trust.

They should include:

  • the NFP’s purpose: the mission and objectives of the organisation
  • not-for-profit clauses: statements that ensure the organisation’s income and assets are used solely for its purpose and not distributed to members or other private persons
  • dissolution clauses: guidelines on what happens to the organisation’s assets if it winds up.

We recommend you conduct a review of your NFP’s governing documents annually in preparation for the annual self-review return, and whenever there is a major change to the structure or activities of the organisation. This will ensure your governing documents remain in order.

If you need more help with getting ready to lodge your NFP self-review return, including how to prepare your governing documents, you can visit our website for information on how to lodge the NFP self-review return.

Read more articles in the Not-for-profit newsroom and, if you haven’t already, subscribeExternal Link to our free monthly newsletter Not-for-profit news to be alerted when we publish new articles.

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A new home for dragon boating at Grevillea Park

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The new facility has been years in the making through the joint efforts of Dragon Boat ACT and the ACT Government.

A new state-of-the-art dragon boating facility has opened at Grevillea Park on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

Years in the making, the new facility has been finalised through the joint efforts of Dragon Boat ACT and the ACT Government.

It was designed by Cox Architecture and construction was completed by local company Projex.

The facility is equipped with boat storage, training and timekeeping rooms, office space and meeting room, new amenities and changerooms and a marshalling area.

It can support training and competition activities for over 600 members, as well as interstate visitors participating in local and regional regattas.

The building’s opening coincided with the ACT Dragon Boat Championships, making the event even more meaningful for Canberra’s dragon boat community.

The ACT Government invested $2.1 million towards the construction of the purpose-built facility.

A further $360,000 was provided by Dragon Boat ACT, the governing body of dragon boating in the Territory, who now run and maintain the facility.

“Dragon Boat ACT is delighted that the ACT Government has recognised our sport and worked together with us for a permanent home for dragon boating in the ACT,” President of Dragon Boat ACT Donald Jenkins said.

“Dragon Boat ACT has 10 clubs, an ACT state team and many of our paddlers represent Australia internationally. Our members range in age from 12 to 80+ from across the community, including Dragons Abreast, DeafACT, youth, veterans and all forms of diversity. The facility will help with our many activities, including regattas, training, corporate events and come-and-try days,” he said.

Since dragon boating was introduced to the ACT in 1990, it has become one of Canberra’s most popular water-based sports.

The sport is recognised for participants’ camaraderie, strength and endurance.

In the ACT, it appeals to a growing number of women and people of all ages.

Read more about this project on Builtforcbr.gov.au

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Updated playground in Aranda now open

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The playground offers play opportunities for children and areas for families to gather.

The Banambila Street playground in Aranda is now open.

The playground has been updated and offers features for all age groups and families.

Toddlers (0-4 years)

Play opportunities for small children includes a hidey ‘wombat’ tunnel for crawling.

There is also a toddler seat on the swing set. A basket swing and spinner are perfect for toddlers and children of all ages.

The frog rocker has been retained.

The landscaping in and around the play space provides opportunities for climbing, crawling and balancing.

Juniors (5-9 years) and pre-teens (10-13 years)

The raised teepee includes a fishing trap net, ladder and a slide.

Teens (14-17 years), adults and seniors

Fitness equipment including horizontal bars and a mountain step climber are available for teen play and exercise by the general community.

Family and community

There is seating, including a picnic table and shelter that offer space for family and community gatherings.

A shade sail covers the all abilities play area and there’s a concrete path through the playground.

Cultural design elements

The region where the Aranda play space holds an ancient cultural and spiritual connection to the Ngunnawal people and has for thousands of years.

The artwork for Aranda, by artist and cultural consultant Bradley Mapiva Brown, reflects connections to country to Dharaban, Galambary and the Molonglo River.

The floral motif used throughout the design portrays the Yam Daisy, referred to as Dharaban. The daisy has been harvested by Ngunnawal women and children for thousands of years and is used by the Ngunnawal people as a staple to create damper and native tea and to aid healing wounds.

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2024 Canberra Gold Awards winners announced

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Gold Awards recipient Margaret Constance was one of the first Avon ladies in Canberra and went on to work in the Supreme Court for 25 years.

Each year, the Chief Minister’s Canberra Gold Awards recognise the unique contributions of individuals and groups who have lived or operated in the ACT for 50 years or more.

This year, 71 individuals and 15 groups were awarded. Over the last half-century, each of them has shaped not only our city, but the people who live here. Whether that’s placing an instrument in a musically-gifted student’s hands for the first time, raising a family in Canberra, or leaving a mark on an industry.

While the awards celebrate Canberra’s history, there was much recognition of the people who have helped shape our future: the teachers, principals and programs supporting the city’s schools.

Leanne Fisher was born in Canberra in 1963 and has worked for the Department of Education for 20 years.

“I’m just about to retire in three weeks’ time, it’s a nice way to finish,” she said.

Paul Branson, Principal of Belconnen High, was also born in Canberra and is a self-titled “product of public schools”. Educated at Hackett Primary, Dickson College and the Australian National University, Paul was nominated for his contribution to public schooling.

“There’s lots that I love about Canberra, lots of things happen here. I know people say it’s boring, but that’s not true at all,” Paul said.

“Someone once said to me, Canberra thinks you’re boring too!”

The ACT Instrumental Music Program was one of the groups that received a Gold Award. Now in it’s 51st year, the program is part of ACT public schools.

“We were nominated by a former student,” former principal Naida Blackley said.

“It’s about providing opportunities for students to access musical instruments in a group learning situation.”

Many awards recipients spoke of their love of the city, and in particular, their love of Lake Burley Griffin.

Margaret Constance’s arrival predated the construction of the now-iconic landmark.

“In 1962, we moved to the newly developed Red Hill, and there were still sheep grazing on the perimeter,” she said.

“I saw the building of the National Library, the High Court, the Portrait Gallery, and the lake. And I saw Woden and Belconnen Develop. They were the first suburbs – I think they were called satellite towns then.”

Margaret was one of the first Avon ladies in Canberra and went on to work in the Supreme Court for 25 years.

Ali Hosain was another Gold Award recipient who fondly recalls memories of Canberra being developed.

“When we came, Canberra was not a very impressive place,” he said.

“[Now] Canberra is so beautiful. We’ve travelled the whole world but there’s nothing like Canberra.”

If you would like to nominate a person, group, or yourself, nominations are open year-round and can be made online.

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Proposed Dickson Shops upgrade revealed

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The design proposes a series of spaces that encourage socialisation and conversation.

The draft design for the Dickson Shops upgrade is now available to view. The ACT Government is seeking feedback and suggestions from the community.

The design enhances the unique identity and character of Dickson shops while providing much needed upgrades and improvements.

Here are some of the elements included in the design:

Safety and pedestrian experience

The designs include enhanced lighting, upgraded paving and widened footpaths. Circulation spaces for pedestrians are included, with more seating opportunities and bicycle parking.

The project proposes widening the pedestrian link from Cowper Street to the post office. It will also consider ways to improve the pedestrian crossing on Badham Street.

Community connection

Providing spaces for the community to gather and socialise is main feature of the design.

It proposes decluttering Taglietti Square (the library plaza) and other courtyards. This would create more spacious, accessible and adaptable areas for small events and activities. This approach also supports outdoor dining.

The design for the area south of the post office includes opportunities for incidental play. This will help to create a family-friendly space that is safety distanced from traffic.

Existing artworks have been retained and repurposed in the proposal. The landscape design visually aligns with the iconic Dickson Heritage Library, designed by Enrico Taglietti.

The plans propose reusing existing bricks as a feature in the paving design. This supports sustainability and respects the history of the area.

Large mature trees have been kept and there is more greenery to mitigate urban heat.

Consultation is open until 23 April 2024, with construction expected to begin in 2025.

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Take a virtual tour of the new CIT Woden campus

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A new video has been released to showcase this state-of-the-art public education and transport hub.

Construction is ramping up at CIT Woden with Canberrans invited to suggest names for the three public green spaces surrounding the main building.

A new video has also been released to showcase this state-of-the-art public education and transport hub. This helps the community picture these new areas and understand how the campus will interact with the new public transport interchange.

View the new fly-through video.

The first of the three public spaces is a 169-metre-long boulevard running east-west. It features native landscaping and forms a critical pedestrian link between the interchange and the town centre. This central corridor will include a series of spaces for public seating, outdoor dining, and retail frontage.

Situated at the northern end of the CIT Woden campus is a sunny 3700 square metre break out space for students and the public to enjoy. It includes canopy trees and gardens providing wind and sun protection, as well as dog clean-up facilities.

The third public space at the western end is a welcoming 1295 square metre plaza. It is surrounded by a mix of native and non-native planting and features a gathering and ceremony space. There is also seating with charging ports, accessible paths and featured paving.

Naming these spaces is an opportunity to connect people and places. It will also help to provide signage and wayfinding for students, staff and visitors across the CIT Woden Campus.

The following themes are a guiding framework to help the public to think about possible names.

  • First Nations
  • Innovation
  • Education

The community can put forward names under a single theme for all three public spaces or mix and match spaces, themes, and names.

Canberrans can submit their naming suggestions on the ACT Government’s YourSay page. You can also present their ideas in person at pop-up information sessions being held at Westfield Woden, CIT Reid and CIT Bruce.

A short-list of names will be reviewed by the CIT Woden place naming committee including representatives from First Nations advisory groups. The chosen names will be revealed later this year.

With CIT Woden Campus opening in 2025, the community won’t have to wait long to start enjoying the public plazas and green spaces around the precinct.

Place naming consultation will run until the end of April 2024. Place naming consultation will run until the end of April 2024.

To submit your names visit www.yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/cit-campus-woden/citcampuswoden-placenaming.

For further information on the CIT Woden Campus project visit www.builtforcbr.act.gov.au.

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