GST Guidelines for Formations

1.      A Formation is not required to claim GST. If they chose not to, they can set up Xero to remove the accounting for GST.

2.      If a formation has not claimed GST before, the maximum they can claim back to is the beginning of the previous financial year.

3.      If a formation has previously claimed GST and wants to continue, they will be required to bring their claims up to date to the end of the previous financial year.

4.      If a formation does not submit a GST claim over an 18-month period, they are strongly encouraged to stop accounting for GST.

5.      A formation must submit an Annual Financial Return to be able to submit GST claims.

6.      Formations that regularly invoice external organisations that would claim GST (e.g. campsites invoicing schools) can move to being not registered for GST, but this would need to be planned as GST has been collected that needs to be paid to the ATO. Contact the Finance Manager for assistance in this situation.

7.      If a formation has been recording GST and chooses to stop or not claim GST, they will need to remove the value of the GST account that appears on their balance sheet. This can be done using a manual journal for previous years and recoding for the current financial year. Contact the Finance Manager for assistance if required.

• Related Articles

• GST Fundamentals

  GST Legislation & Application The Scout Association of Australia Queensland Branch Inc is registered for GST under ABN 67 019 153 391 from 1st July 2000. Under GST legislation, non-profit organisations may choose to have some (or all) of it ...

• GST on Income

  Tax Rates GST Free Income – used for Membership fees, donations GST on Income – some activities, maybe hall hire Input Taxed – sales where GST is not payable, and you generally can't claim GST credits for purchases relating to these sales (e.g. ...

• GST on Expenses

  Tax Rates GST Free Expenses – used for GST free supplies (e.g. food), suppliers not registered for GST and where a GST Tax Invoice not provided. GST on Expenses – as per valid GST Tax Invoices Input Taxed – you can't claim GST credits for purchases ...

• Bank Accounts for Formations

  How many bank accounts should a Group have? Formations should only have ONE bank account covering the Group Support Committee, Joey Scout Unit, Cub Scout Unit and Scout Unit. Additional bank accounts may be operated by the Venturer Unit and Rover ...

• Annual Financial Return - 2025

  Documents for 2025 Annual Financial Return