
Progressive thinkers plan push for tax changes
Posted on 07 Jul 2025
A community tax summit that brought together over 100 economists and sector leaders in Melbourne…
Posted on 13 Mar 2025
By Nina Laitala, training lead, Institute of Community Directors Australia
When new legislation is introduced or reporting requirements are updated, it often results in confusion and anxiety in the community sector.
The new self-review return is one such requirement, and the sector has made its concerns about it known in recent ICDA reports such as ATO urged to redesign NFP self-review return and How the tax office is wasting the not-for-profit sector’s time, effort, and money.
We’ve also heard from organisations that have had trouble with the mechanics of compliance. Let’s unpack what the new self-review return is and whether your organisation must comply.
The ATO has introduced a new annual reporting requirement for non-charitable not-for-profit organisations with an active ABN who self-assess their eligibility for an exemption from paying income tax.
"The annual self-review return requirement was introduced to increase integrity and transparency in the system by ensuring that only eligible organisations access income tax exemptions."
To put it very simply, some organisations now need to fill out an ATO form online each year saying, in effect, ‘Hi, it’s us again. We’ve checked whether we need to pay income tax, and we don’t. Here’s why. See you next year.’
The annual self-review return requirement was introduced to increase integrity and transparency in the system by ensuring that only eligible organisations access income tax exemptions.
The deadline for the self-review is 31 October each year. However, for the 2023–24 income year, organisations have until 31 March 2025. For more information on how to lodge, see the ATO’s website: NFP self-review return.
If your not-for-profit organisation ticks all the following boxes, then yes, you need to lodge a self-review return:
An example of a non-charitable not-for-profit that has to lodge the new self-review return is the fictional Biglake Community Football Club.
If your organisation is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), you do not need to lodge a self-review or self-assessment.
The key word here is “charity”.
To ensure your new reporting obligations are incorporated into your annual compliance framework, take the time to review the requirements and keep all relevant information and previous returns somewhere easily accessible so you don’t have to redo all your hard work each year.
Add October 31 to your compliance calendar to help you stay up to date with all your reporting requirements.
Posted on 07 Jul 2025
A community tax summit that brought together over 100 economists and sector leaders in Melbourne…
Posted on 26 Jun 2025
Most not-for-profit workers are falling behind on wages, according to the latest national sector…
Posted on 26 Jun 2025
It’s that time of year when organisations are really focused on their finances, and that means…
Posted on 26 Jun 2025
I once worked for a small not-for-profit that decided to host a small public event at its offices.
Posted on 26 Jun 2025
ICDA training lead Nina Laitala examines the governance issues facing Australian not-for-profits.
Posted on 25 Jun 2025
Vicki Meyer has made promoting volunteering her life’s work. The Institute of Community Directors…
Posted on 25 Jun 2025
Revenue for Australia’s charity and not-for-profit sector has reached record highs, and total…
Posted on 25 Jun 2025
In Australia’s charity sector, there’s no shortage of passion or ideas – but there is a shortage of…
Posted on 25 Jun 2025
Boards should be alert to a series of recent updates and regulatory shifts in accounting standards…
Posted on 21 May 2025
As more not-for-profits (NFPs) embrace digital transformation, Doug Taylor, chief executive of The…
Posted on 21 May 2025
I was brought up by a Dylan-loving Boomer, marching against war and nuclear bombs, worried about…
Posted on 21 May 2025
Charities Minister Andrew Leigh says the new Labor government will press ahead with a “big and…