7 August 2000

Practical GST Help for Community Sector

The next phase of help is here for the community, voluntary and cultural sector to prepare for the New Tax System, said Chris Jordan, Chairman of The New Tax System Advisory Board.

‘"It’s an $11 million package of workshops, one-on-one help and practical information materials," Mr Jordan said.

The new assistance is available by calling the Community Sector Helpline 13 30 88 (8am to 8pm EST weekdays) and includes:

• Practical half-day workshops (see attached location schedule) covering cash flow issues, Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG), completing the relevant Activity Statement and getting status as an income tax exempt charity and a deductible gift recipient,
• One-on-one help, and
• Information kits tailored for the sector.

"This is a significant sector of the economy that provides our social, sporting and cultural pursuits and delivers social services, with much activity undertaken by volunteers," Chris Jordan said.

"A key part of the package is the direct help provided by 23 Community Sector Liaison Officers from peak sector bodies. They will be able to guide callers to the form of help that best meets their needs.

"Up to 1000 workshops will be offered in over 220 locations across Australia from 21 August to the end of October this year," Mr Jordan said.

"An emphasis of the workshops will be on the skills needed to complete an Activity Statement and understand the PAYG arrangements. The new package builds on assistance in the previous financial year, which included around 2000 seminars delivered by 26 peak bodies.

"New products are being developed to further help the sector, including an honorary treasurers’ manual and a community sector website that will provide answers to frequently asked questions," Mr Jordan said.

The new package was welcomed by John Moore, AM, President, National Council of Australia, St Vincent de Paul Society.

"The St Vincent de Paul Society is pleased to be in partnership with the Commonwealth Government on continuing programmes to assist the community in adjusting to The New Tax System," Mr Moore said.

"The new GST assistance package will particularly help organisations, like ourselves, reliant on volunteers to comply with the new GST obligations," Mr Moore said.

Media contact: Anita Shooks, The New Tax System Advisory Board on

(02) 6216 2318 or 0407 406 765.