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Eligible types of income tax exempt organisations

The tax law sets out the types of not-for-profit organisations that can be exempt from income tax exemption.

Last updated 16 July 2024

Charities and income tax exemption

Registered charities are a type of income tax exempt entity. NFPs with only charitable purposes that meet the legal definition of a charity must be registered with the ACNC and be endorsed by the ATO to be income tax exempt.

To consider if your NFP has only charitable purposes and meets the legal definition of a charity, you can use the guidance at acnc.gov.au/selfassessingExternal Link.

NFPs with only charitable purposes that choose not to register with the ACNC, are not eligible to self-assess as income tax exempt, and will not be exempt from income tax. They are taxable and may be required to lodge an annual income tax return.

Self-assessing eligibility to income tax exemption

The other type of exempt entity is an organisation that meets the requirements to self-assess as income tax exempt.

There are 8 categories of income tax exempt entities that can self-assess eligibility for income tax exemption, outlined in Division 50 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997). An NFP can self-assess income tax exemption if it is not a charity and meets the requirements of one of the following categories:

Reporting requirements to self-assess income tax exemption

From 1 July 2023, non-charitable NFPs with an active Australian business number (ABN) self-assessing as income tax exempt need to lodge an annual NFP self-review return.

The first NFP self-review return must be lodged for the 2023–24 income year. The NFP self-review return can be accessed and lodged using Online services.

Following this, a new return must be lodged for each subsequent income year. If a return is not lodged, NFPs may become ineligible for an income tax exemption and penalties may apply.

Community service organisations are established for community service purposes (except political or lobbying purposes).

Cultural organisations are established for the encouragement of art, literature or music, or for musical purposes.

Educational organisations are public educational institutions.

Health organisations include certain types of hospitals and NFP private health insurers.

Employment organisations are trade unions and employee or employer associations that are registered or recognised.

Resource development organisations are established to promote the development of aviation, tourism or certain resources.

A scientific organisation is a scientific institution, science association or scientific research fund.

Sporting organisations are established for the encouragement of a game, sport or animal racing.

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