Newsletter
August 2014 Newsletter
Hunger relief organisation wins FBT exemption case
Hunger Project Australia (HPA) has been successful before the Full Federal Court in seeking endorsement as a “public benevolent institution” (PBI) for fringe benefit tax (FBT) purposes.
This was despite the organisation being predominantly engaged in fundraising, and not providing aid or relief directly. As a result, the provision of benefits to one of its employees is to be taken to be exempt benefits for FBT purposes. HPA is a member of a worldwide collaboration of organisations operating under the name “The Hunger Project” whose principal aim is the relief of hunger.
The activities of HPA are to raise funds, which are then disseminated to Hunger Project members in the developing world. The Commissioner argued that an entity that merely engages in fundraising activities and does not materially perform charitable works directly for the benefit of the public is not a PBI. The Full Court rejected the Commissioner’s arguments requiring a PBI to directly dispense relief.
The fact that such an institution does not itself directly give or provide that relief, but does so via related or associated entities, is no bar to it being a PBI, the Court said.