New Tax Handbook, Website to Help Voluntary Groups, Charities

Community-based and not-for-profit organisations now have two practical reference guides funded by the GST Start-Up Assistance office - to help meet their GST obligations and to improve their business skills.

Launching The Voluntary Treasurer’s Handbook and the Community Tax Help website, Dr Jim Hagan, General Manager of the GST Start-Up Assistance Office (GSTSAO), said the two products would assist planning and day-to-day business skills. The products will be of particular use for organisations and individuals filling out their first quarterly Business Activity Statement (BAS).

The Voluntary Treasurer’s Handbook is a reference guide which assists voluntary treasurers and treasurers of not-for-profit organisations set up and implement simple accounting procedures to help them operate successfully under The New Tax System.

The Community Tax Help website at www.communitytaxhelp.org is designed to give community groups access to current information on how The New Tax System affects their operations. Target audiences for the site include Children’s Services, Home and Community Care, Churches, Community Housing, Arts and Cultural groups and individuals, Indigenous Services (including small enterprises), General Community Services and Disability Services.

The website has a Question and Answer page which allows users to submit a question and receive an answer prepared by a qualified accountant. The website has news, library and search facilities and is accessible to the sight-impaired and people with disabilities.

"The Handbook and the website will assist administrators and individuals throughout the sectors – whether they are a voluntary treasurer, craftworker, child or aged carer or with a church or sporting group," Dr Hagan said.

"I expect the two products will be invaluable day-to-day tools and help those in the sector meet their New Tax System obligations and improve their business skills," Dr Hagan said.

The Voluntary Treasurer’s Handbook is based on an early version of similar material kindly made available through the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA). The material has been updated and developed by Kimberly Smith from the Victorian Council of Churches and who is a member of the GSTSAO’s Community Sector Steering Committee. Free copies of the Handbook are available by phoning the Community Sector Helpline on 13 30 88 or electronically on the website.

The driving force behind the Community Tax Help website were Pam Cahir and Mathew Fante from the Australian Early Childhood Association (AECA) who developed the site with GSTSAO funding.

Dr Ken Baker, Chief Executive of ACROD particularly welcomed the publication of the Handbook.

"Australia has thousands of small non-profit organisations, most supported by voluntary effort, which contribute enormously to our community," Dr Baker said.

"This Handbook will be an excellent aid for people taking on the role of treasurer for a small non-profit organisation. Its strength is the clear, practical advice it provides on financial management, record-keeping, reporting and tax," Dr Baker said.

Media Contact: Stephen Gilfedder, GST Start-Up Assistance Office 02 6263 4454; (mob) 0411 254 592.