Bookkeeping, BAS & GST for not-for-profits — fund accounting done right.
Restricted grants tracked separately, donations and sponsorships coded correctly, and your BAS lodged on time by a registered tax agent. Bookkeeping set up for how NFPs actually work.
Not-for-profit financial management starts with clean books.
Generic small-business bookkeeping doesn't fit charities and community groups. Grants come with conditions, donors expect money to go where they gave it, and your board needs reports that show each program — not just one profit and loss.
- Restricted vs unrestricted funds tracked separately, so grant money is never spent twice
- Program and project reporting for your board and funders
- Donations, grants and sponsorships coded correctly for GST
- Payroll, super and STP for staff, plus volunteer reimbursements
- Year-end ready — reconciled files that make your ACNC annual report and audit or review faster and cheaper
Does your NFP need to register for GST?
The ATO says a not-for-profit must register for GST if it is carrying on an enterprise and its GST turnover is $150,000 or more — compared with $75,000 for most businesses. Once you're required to register, you have 21 days to do it. Below the threshold, registration is optional.
GST on donations, grants and sponsorships
| Income | Usual GST position (ATO) |
|---|---|
| Donations & gifts | Not payment for a supply — no GST, and not counted in GST turnover |
| Grants | No GST if you only have to meet eligibility criteria (like acquittal reporting). Can be a taxable supply if you provide something in return |
| Sponsorships | Usually a supply — if you're registered, GST applies to the benefit you give the sponsor |
Eligible charities, DGRs and some other NFPs can also access GST concessions — for example, certain fundraising events can be input taxed and some non-commercial activities can be GST-free. Whether they apply depends on your endorsement and the facts, so we check before you rely on them.
BAS lodged by a registered tax agent
We prepare and lodge your BAS (and IAS, if you have PAYG withholding) through the ATO's tax agent portal. You get a simple summary before lodgement showing what's payable and why.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information only — not advice for your organisation. Rules change; call us to confirm how they apply to you.
Simple for the board. Done properly.
- 1
Review & clean-up
We reconcile what's there, fix the chart of accounts and set up grant and program tracking.
- 2
Monthly or quarterly bookkeeping
Transactions coded, grants tracked, payroll and super processed, reports for your board.
- 3
BAS & year-end
BAS lodged on time, then a clean file handed straight to your annual report and audit.
Bookkeeping, BAS & GST — common questions.
Do not-for-profits have to register for GST?
Only if they're carrying on an enterprise and their GST turnover is $150,000 or more. Below that, registration is optional. Donations aren't counted in GST turnover.
Is there GST on donations?
No. The ATO says a gift to a not-for-profit is not payment for a supply, as long as the donor gets nothing material in return.
Is there GST on grants?
Not if you only have to meet eligibility conditions such as acquittal reporting. If you provide something of value to the funder in return, the grant can be a taxable supply. We check each funding agreement.
Can you lodge our BAS?
Yes. Ace Biz is a registered tax agent, so we prepare and lodge your BAS and IAS for you, and talk to the ATO if anything needs sorting.
Our books are behind. Can you catch up?
Yes. We start with a catch-up and clean-up — bank, GST and payroll reconciliations — then move you onto regular bookkeeping. Quoted up front, fixed fee.
Books behind?
Let's sort them out.
15 minutes on the phone. No charge. Tell us what software you use and how far behind you are — we'll give you a fixed fee to catch up and keep up.