CIRCULAR The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance THE RETURNED AND SERVICES LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA (NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH) ANZAC HOUSE, 245 CASTLEREAGH STREET, SYDNEY NSW 2000 Telephone: (02) 9264 8188 Fax No: (02) 9264 8466 Email: admin@rslnsw.org.au PATRON HER EXCELLENCY PROFESSOR MARIE BASHIR AC, CVO GOVERNOR OF NEW SOUTH WALES CIRCULAR CIRCULAR NO: 38 /11 FILE NO: JB:MB:1134 Date: 2 August 2011 TO: ALL HONORARY SECRETARIES AND SECRETARIES OF RSL SUB-BRANCHES, DISTRICT COUNCILS AND STATE COUNCILLORS EXPIRY DATE: 2 nd August, 2013 Dear Sir/Madam, EXEMPTION AND CONCESSIONS AVAILABLE TO SUB-BRANCHES RSL sub-branches are entitled to certain exemptions from stamp duty and other concessions due to their not for profit status. OFFICE OF STATE REVENUE Sub-Branches are exempt from: Insurance Duty Motor Vehicle Registration Duty If your sub-branch has not applied for an exemption, attached to this circular is an Application for form. Please note that exemptions only apply for 3 years, sub-branches must reapply on expiration of current exemption. OTHER EXEMPTIONS AND CONCESSIONS AVAILABLE Also attached to this circular is NSW Not For Profit Organisations Taxes, Fees and Charges Concessions Guide, containing a list of other exemptions and concessions available to sub-branches with information on how and where to apply. We hope the above information is of assistance to sub-branches. Yours sincerely JOHN BOYLE Asset Manager Asset Division NSW RSL State Branch
NSW Not For Profit Organisations Taxes, Fees and Charges Concessions Guide Exemptions and Concessions and how to apply for them Premier s Department New South Wales Land and Property Land Tax The Land Tax Management Act provides exemption from land tax for a range of charitable organisations and religious societies. A separate exemption covers land, irrespective of who is the ow ner, if the land is used and occupied by a not for profit organisation. Duty Heads Conveyances, Leases, Mortgages A society or institution that the Chief Commissioner considers uses its resources for the relief of poverty or the promotion of education is exempt from duty on all these types of transactions/instruments. Other societies or institutions of a charitable or benevolent nature, or for the for promotion of the interests of Aborigines, may be exempt on individual transactions/instruments. Write to OSR, NSW Treasury, via w ebsite http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/osrpubs/osrforms.htm or phone 02 9685 2189 or 1800 688 653 for NSW STD calls only. Rates There are exemptions from rates available to churches, schools and Aboriginal Land Councils, public benevolent institutions and charities, public hospitals, area health services, universities and their colleges, and various other special-purpose uses. Councils can also give rate exemptions by donating the amount of the rates on a property back to the ow ner. Apply for exemptions through your Local Council. Parking Space Levy Any parking space w hich is available for free parking on premises w hich are ow ned or occupied by a public charity or a public benevolent institution is exempt from the levy. To register for the levy complete the form (OPL 001-06/00) available from OSR via w ebsite http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/osrpubs/osrforms.htm#other or phone 02 9685 2189 or 1800 688 653 f or NSW STD calls only. Salaries Pay-Roll Tax The provisions for not for profit organisations exempts w ages that are paid to employees for the time they are engaged in charitable, benevolent, philanthropic or patriotic w ork for the non-profit organisations, or the charitable w ork of the organisation, society or institution. Exemption from Pay-Roll Tax Standard form (OPT 007-11/99) available through OSR via w ebsite http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/osrpubs/osrforms.htm or phone 02 9685 2188 or 1800 673 402 for NSW STD calls only.
Funds Management Declaration of Trusts Exempt from duty for organisations eligible through OSR. Write to OSR via w ebsite http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/osrpubs/osrforms.htm or phone 02 9685 2189 or 1800 688 653 for NSW STD calls only. Vehicles Motor Vehicle Registration Duty Applications to register a new motor vehicle or to transfer the registration of a second-hand vehicle are exempt from duty if the ow ner of the vehicle is a non-profit organisation w hich has as one of its objects a charitable, benevolent, philanthropic or patriotic purpose. Standard form (ODA 006-08/01) available through OSR via w ebsite http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/osrpubs/osrforms.htm or phone 02 9685 2189 or 1800 688 653 for NSW STD calls only. Motor Vehicle Registration Charges Non-profit organisations w hich have as one of their objects a charitable, benevolent, philanthropic or patriotic purpose are charged private instead of business rates of motor vehicle w eight tax. An exemption from the pay ment of motor vehicle w eight tax is available to w elfare and community transport organisations for vehicles used mainly to transport people w ith intellectual and mobility impair ment, and to surf life saving clubs for vehicles used to transport or haul surf rescue boats. Enquire at your local RTA motor registry or the Call Centre on 132213. Insurance Insurance Duty General insurance taken out by a non-profit organisation (w hich has as one of its objects a charitable, benevolent, philanthropic or patriotic purpose) is exempt from duty. Standard form (ODA 006-08/01) available through OSR via w ebsite http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/osrpubs/osrforms.htm or phone 02 9685 2189 or 1800 688 653 for NSW STD calls only. Utilities Sydney Water Land used (and/or ow ned) essentially for non profit public or charitable purposes, by religious bodies, public and charitable institutions, local councils and Aboriginal Land Councils is exempt from the payment of service charges for water, sew erage and stormw ater drainage. Apply in writing to Sydney Water, supplying evidence of eligible status, at PO Box A53, Sydney South, NSW, 1232 or call 9350 5406. Hunter Water Land ow ned by and used essentially for charitable purposes, by religious bodies and public and charitable institutions, can receive exempt concessions, including a reduction in services charges and w aiving of the environmental improvement charge. Apply in w riting to Hunter Water, Supplying evidence of eligibility, at PO Box 5171, HRMC, NSW 2310 or call 02 4979 9799.
Australian Inland Australian Inland provides assistance to volunteer organisations through their sponsorship program. They can sponsor w ater, sewer and electricity accounts for volunteer organisations. Application for sponsorship available via w ebsite http://www.australianinland.com.au or by calling 08 8082 5800. Country Energy Community Halls Scheme provides financial assistance through reduced energy bills for community halls used by a variety of groups and non profit organisations. Country Energy also has a sponsorship program targeting community based activities. Sponsorship form dow nloadable from http://www.countryenergy.com.au. Country Halls Scheme call 132 356, or email info@countryenergy.com.au Integral Energy Registered charity (upon proof of status) w ill be charged no security deposit. To apply for charity exemption call customer service on 131 081 and fax in documentation demonstrating registered charity status (as above).