The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) says close to 80% of charities have successfully met their annual reporting obligations. However, the ACNC said charities with overdue 2014 Annual Information Statements needed to take urgent action to avoid penalties. The ACNC said it will soon start sending warning letters to charities that have not submitted their 2014 Annual Information Statement. The ACNC reminded charities that submitting their 2014 Annual Information Statement will mean their entry on the national Charity Register, available at www.acnc.gov.au/findacharity, is up-to-date.

The ACNC noted that charities that do not use a standard reporting period of 1 July to 30 June have 6 months from the end of their reporting period to submit their 2014 Annual Information Statement. It advised these charities to check that their substituted accounting period is approved by viewing their charity’s entry on the Charity Register or by logging into the Charity Portal at www.charity.acnc.gov.au.

[LTN 32, 18/2/15]