Disclaimer: This document provides legal information only and does not replace the need for professional legal advice in individual cases. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, the EDO does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from any error in this document or use of this work.
This submission outlines:
- Why charitable status and tax concessions are important to EDOs across Australia;
- How environmental charity status and tax concessions provide public benefits;
- Responses to Questions in Treasury’s Tax Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Reform Discussion Paper.
Overall we recommend that the Australian Government and Treasury:
- Support a strong and efficient charity and DGR sector by maintaining existing taxation concessions for charities and donors;
- Reject the proposal that all environmental organisations must divert at least 25-50% of tax-deductible donations to ‘environmental remediation works’, and related limitations targeting environmental organisations;
- Continue to recognise the wide range of activities that contribute to local and systemic environmental outcomes in Australia and internationally – including environmental law and support services, advocacy, research, information, education, overseas capacity-building and local conservation work;
- Support the ACNC to assist and regulate all charities (and many DGRs); and
- Take opportunities for minor, well-planned changes to increase administrative efficiency and maintain the high level of public trust in DGRs and charities.
