What are a Formation’s GST obligations?

This depends on the turnover of your Formation. If your Formation earns less than $150,000 in revenue per annum you are not obligated to account for GST.  However if the Formation earns over this threshold your Formation must account for GST and work with the Branch office to submit activity statements on your behalf. 

If you earn under the threshold, you can make the choice to submit Business Activity Statement (BAS) through the Scouts Queensland Finance Team.  If you are unsure about whether to claim GST, please contact our Finance Helpdesk at financehelpdesk@scoutsqld.com.au 

If I choose not to claim GST, can I then change my mind at a later date?

Yes, if your accounting records are in line with your GST claiming procedures you can make GST claims for periods that are within four years of when the claim is processed. 

How do I claim GST for my Formation?

2. Use Xero accounting software and provide the Finance Team with access. 
3. Comply with our GST claiming procedures. 

5. Have your Xero file setup with the correct financial settings
6. Code you transactions in line with our GST Application worksheet
7. Ensure you attach receipts for the transactions, you must have a tax invoice to claim GST on any expenditure greater than $82.50 
8. Publish your activity statement report in Xero 
9. Complete the Scouts QLD – Formation GST Claim Form (Online Form)

When and how will the GST claimed be returned to my Formation?

This depends upon a few variables, such as how many claims have been submitted, the accuracy of the records submitted for review, questions asked during the review process and resource constraints within the Finance Team. 

Once your claim has been reviewed, we will provide you with any corrections that are required in Xero.  Once the corrections are made, we will lodge your claim and provide a credit on your debtor account when the ATO has processed the claim.  The Formation can use any GST credits against current or future bills issued from Scouts Queensland. 

What if I don’t use Xero, can we still claim GST?

No, we understand that other accounting packages do offer the ability to code and track GST however, Scouts QLD has made the decision to only allow Formations using Xero to claim GST.  This decision was made to allow us to streamline processes by offering assistance with one accounting package. 

What happens if I owe GST to the ATO?

Initially we will pay this for you and the amount will then on-charged to the Formation and shown on the Formation’s debtor account. 

What assistance does Branch provide to me?

Our Finance Team will review the GST claim and notify the Formation of any corrections.

 

What ABN does my Formation use?

As all Scout Formations in QLD use the same ABN (67 019 153 391) we only lodge one BAS. Therefore for each individual Scout Formation to claim back GST paid we need to gather reports from all Formations and consolidate them into this one BAS.  Once the BAS is lodged and processed, the GST is then allocated to the applicable Formation.

Does every transaction include GST?

No, there are different types of supplies, the differences between the three types of supplies for GST are explained below.  Please note that Scouts QLD Branch, which carries on the relevant enterprise of providing Scouting activities throughout Queensland through its Formations and campsites principally makes GST free supplies. 

What is GST free Supplies?

GST free supplies don’t include GST in the price, but you can still claim credits for the GST included in the price of purchases you use to make your GST free sales.

Does every purchase include GST?  

No, as with sales, purchases can be taxable, GST free or input taxed. At times a single receipt may include supplies that have a different GST treatments. For example when purchasing food and other related items from supermarkets it is important to always check the GST component listed on the receipt, this is because GST may not apply to all items, if this is the case you need to ensure that you split the coding of these transactions between GST and GST free expenses.  

What can I claim GST on?

In general you can claim GST on purchases that you have made that include GST. 

The first thing to check is your receipt or invoice. If it does not expressly state that GST is included you cannot claim a GST credit. You must keep in mind that not suppliers you deal with will be registered for GST.  You need to also be mind that you may need to remit GST on the income received for certain activities, particularly if you claim GST on the expenses for that activity. 

What is a Taxable Supply?

GST is payable at a rate of 10% on the value of "taxable supplies".

An entity makes a taxable supply if:

5. it makes the supply for consideration
6. the supply is made in the course or furtherance of an enterprise that it carries on
7. the supply is connected with Australia
8. the entity is either registered or required to be registered for GST, and
9. the supply is not GST free or input taxed.

What does Input Tax Credit mean?

An input tax credit is also known as a GST credit.  It's a credit you can claim for the amount of GST included in the price of goods or services (the inputs) you buy for use in your Scout Formation. 

Tips:

4. Not everything will have GST included in the price, for example if you buy fresh vegetables to use at a camp, these would not include GST. 
5. You can find the amount of GST on the tax invoices issued to you.
6. You can't claim an input tax credit on items you buy to make input-tax sales. For example if you run a fundraising an event and elect to treat this as an input taxed, rather than remit GST on the Income you cannot claim credits on the items you purchased in relation to that fundraising event.
7. You need to keep your tax invoice for purchases that cost more than $82.50 (including GST), this is for GST purposes only.  It is recommended that receipts are kept for all purchases and reimbursements for accurate record keeping.