Non-Profit News Service No. 0279 - Volunteer bushfire brigades: public consultation on draft legislation

On 4 May 2010, the Assistant Treasurer released, for public consultation, an exposure draft of legislation that will extend tax-deductible donation support to all volunteer bushfire brigades.

Deductible gift recipient (DGR) support will be widened to all entities providing volunteer-based, state-regulated emergency services, including volunteer fire brigades (VFBs). The measure also extends DGR status to all state and territory government bodies that coordinate VFBs and state emergency services that are not already DGRs.

Individual brigades will be able to establish a public fund to receive DGR support, or collect donations through a centralised state public fund.

The changes are planned to have effect from Royal Assent.

You can view the draft legislation on the Treasury website. Consultation closes on Tuesday, 25 May 2010.

You can also view the Assistant Treasurer's media release on the draft legislation.

We previously advised of the government's announcement to change the tax law in Non-Profit News Service No. 0277 - Volunteer bushfire brigades: extending tax deductible donation support.

For information about the Non-Profit News Service, including how to subscribe and links to previous articles, see About the Non-Profit News Service. We encourage your feedback and suggestions for future topics to be covered by the news service. You can do this by: emailing npc-publications@ato.gov.au phoning 1300 130 248.