Posted by aussiejoe [aussiejoe] on November 07, 1999 at 04:45:14 {zExURjw8QAMAAFFOtVTs58ugy3hcmw}:
In Reply to: Lit now free in Australia posted by JanG on November 07, 1999 at 03:20:20:
Almost right. The new 'donation' system comes into operation from the 1st January 2000. I would suggest that, in this instance, the internet had little effect on the decision as it has more to do with the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax that will come in mid next year. The way the Society had their operations structured they could well have been not been recognised as tax exempt and this could have implications down the 'distribution channel'. There is little doubt that they would be recognised as a 'not for profit' organisation, but because their stated purpose over the last few years (excluding the 1998 service year) was not for an 'exempt' purpose they could have been liable to pay tax.
An interesting point made though, was that, as of 1st January 2000, no country will charge a fixed price for literature. Are there any other countries that will continue under the old system?