Non-Profit News Service No. 0277 - Volunteer bushfire brigades: extending tax deductible donation support

The Assistant Treasurer has announced that the government will change the tax law to extend tax-deductible donation support to all volunteer bushfire brigades.

The press release indicates that the government will immediately begin a process of consultation with the states and territories on the best way to extend deductible gift recipient (DGR) support to all brigades.

Recent legal cases have led us to consider that volunteer bushfire brigades do not meet the strict public benevolent institution (PBI) criteria, so we cannot currently endorse individual bushfire brigades for DGR status as PBIs.

For those brigades that have already secured DGR status as PBIs, we will monitor the consultation process and then work out the best way to review your status.

To read the full press release, visit the Treasury website at www.treasurer.gov.au

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