Use this guide if you are a financial officer, tax professional, or involved in the administration of a taxable not-for-profit (NFP) organisation.
For examples of the types of organisations covered by this guide, see the Industry codes table.
Not-for-profit
The basic premise of a not-for-profit (NFP) organisation is that it is not operating for the profit or gain of its individual members, whether these gains are direct or indirect. This applies while the organisation is operating and when it winds up.
Any profit made by the organisation goes back into the operation of the organisation to carry out its purposes. It is not distributed to any members.
We accept an organisation as NFP where its constituent or governing documents prevent it from distributing profits or assets for the benefit of particular people. These documents should contain acceptable clauses showing the organisation’s NFP character. The organisation’s actions must be consistent with this requirement.
Taxable
Not-for-profit organisations can be either exempt or taxable. Many NFP organisations are taxable and may need to lodge tax returns and pay income tax.
Put simply, if your NFP organisation is not exempt from income tax, it is taxable. Only certain types of NFP organisations are exempt from income tax.
To find out if your NFP organisation is taxable or exempt, see Does my not-for-profit need to pay income tax?
Organisations not covered
This guide does not cover:
- partnerships
- strata-title bodies corporate
- friendly societies
- life assurance companies
- life insurance companies
- mutual insurance companies
- credit unions.