Non-profit concepts
This is an overview of some legal/tax concepts that are relevant to Wikimedia Australia (WMAU). Note WMAU is incorporated in Victoria and the comments below may not be relevant to any other organisation (hopefully they are accurate for WMAU!).
Terms
ATO
Ausralian Tax Office.
CAV
Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Incorporated association
Non-profit
According to the ATO:
The Tax Office accepts an organisation as non-profit where its constituent or governing documents prevent it from distributing profits or assets for the benefit of particular people – both while it is operating and when it winds up. These documents should contain acceptable clauses showing the organisation's non-profit character. The organisation's actions must be consistent with this requirement.[...]
A non-profit organisation can still make a profit, but this profit must be used to carry out its purposes and must not be distributed to owners, members or other private people.
WMAU meets these requirements by clauses 35 (Winding up) and 37 (Use of funds) in its Rules.
Not-for-profit
Seemingly synonymous with "non-profit" as to who it applies to. Perhaps clearer in meaning than "non-profit", as it is a mistaken assumption that non-profits should not "try" to make a profit. As the ATO uses "non-profit" this document will as well.
Non government organisation (NGO)
Third sector
In contrast to the private sector (business) and the public sector (government).
Charity
DGR status
Public fund
Tax deductible donations
- What does it mean?
- Are we eligible? How do we apply?
- What are the costs/benefits to us?
Further information
- http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/ - Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)
- http://www.ato.gov.au/nonprofit/ & 1300 130 248 (their non-profit info line)
- http://pilch.org.au/community_org/ - PILCH - a Victorian non-profit that provides free and low cost legal information for not-for-profit community organisations