THE Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is calling on 100 charities from the ACT facing revocation in early June, to urgently submit their overdue reports.

This follows the revocation of nearly 2 000 charities from across Australia, for not completing their 2013 and 2014 Annual Information Statements earlier in the month.

ACNC Commissioner, Susan Pascoe AM says the majority of charities did the right thing and completed their reporting on time.

“The Australian public can be assured that the overwhelming majority of charities do a lot of good work in the community, are transparent and meet their ACNC obligations.

“It’s also important to note that nearly one thousand charities that were to be revoked submitted their outstanding Annual Information Statements and avoided losing their charity status.

Ms Pascoe said charities on the national charity regulator’s ‘double defaulter’ list needed to take action immediately.

“If you are on our double defaulter list and are an active charity, please submit your two overdue Annual Information Statements to avoid revocation.

“Submitting an Annual Information Statement is a requirement of being an ACNC registered charity and losing registration status will mean losing access to Commonwealth charity tax concessions.

“If you need assistance there is step-by-step guidance on our website at acnc.gov.au or charities can also contact our team via phone or email.”

Ms Pascoe said not only did submitting the overdue Statements mean that charities could avoid revocation, it would mean their entry on the ACNC Charity Register, available at acnc.gov.au/findacharity, was up-to-date.

“An accurate and up-to-date Charity Register listing shows the public that the charity is transparent, gives confidence to donors and grant-makers that the charity meets fundamental governance and financial management requirements, and provides an insight into the excellent work that it is doing in the community.

“The ACNC Charity Register is increasingly being accessed by the public to find information about registered charities. In fact, the Charity Register has been searched over half-a-million times since the establishment of the ACNC in December 2012.

“Charities can submit their 2013 and 2014 Annual Information Statements, which will instantly update their Charity Register listing, by logging into the Charity Portal at charity.acnc.gov.au.”