The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is warning thousands of charities, yet to complete their 2015 Annual Information Statement, that there are serious consequences for not meeting this core obligation.

ACNC Commissioner, Susan Pascoe AM, urged charities to act now as 31 January 2016 is the due date for the 2015 Annual Information Statement for charities (that use a standard 1 July to 30 June reporting period). This group includes around 30,000 registered charities, however, 19,000 are yet to submit this annual statement, with less than 3 weeks to go. Submitting an Annual Information Statement to the ACNC each year is a legal requirement to maintaining registration.

The ACNC has analysed the data and identified 3,200 charities that are at immediate risk of losing their charity status for failing to submit two Annual Information Statements. (Registered charities can check their Annual Information Statement due date on their Charity Register listing at acnc.gov.au/findacharity). The ACNC has already revoked or removed from the Charity Register over 9,000 organisations.

Charities that have their status revoked by the ACNC will also lose access to Commonwealth charity tax concessions. For example, deductible gift recipient status, income tax exemption, Fringe Benefits Tax rebates, and Goods and Services Tax concessions.

The ACNC is also concerned as the information in the Annual Information Statement is used to populate the Charity Register. Members of the public may search the Charity Register free of charge at acnc.gov.au/findacharity.

For help and support, charities are encouraged to visit acnc.gov.au/reporting, or contact the ACNC on 13 ACNC (13 22 62) or at advice@acnc.gov.au.

[ACNC media release 12 January 2016; media@acnc.gov.au or 0466 089 108] [LTN 8, 14/1/16]