Freddo
01-15-2007, 06:58 PM
Christian Greetings to All and may 2007 be your best year yet!
I've been guilty of not posting much for quite a while. This has been due to two things. 1. I have successfully completed my studies for a Doctorate of Divinity, graduating in late August 2006. It took almost two years to complete. 2. We here in Australia suffered a legal setback as to the laws covering Non-Profit Organisations (NPO's) when our Federal Government changed the law to get rid of the shonks who were rorting the system. Under the new law it would cost about AUD 7,000 to register and meet all ATO (read IRS) registration requirements - copy of documentation were forwarded to PMIM HQ in the States. Bascially, we have to register as an Australian Business - which creates a problem with those of us in receipt of DVA pensions, which compensate us for not being "able to work due to our war-caused disabilities" - and then apply to our ATO for 'tax exemption' status. Annual Returns would have to be sent to the ATO through their 'licensed accounting firm" with the ATO setting a minimum annual fee of $1,500 which can be increased by the accounting firm as they see fit! So, please pray that the Lord will open a way for us to be able to function legally.
We still continue to function and make input into the Veteran Community in SE Queensland and still take things relating to Veterans' Entitlements up to the relevant Federal politicians. Sadly, in the last several of our Ministers for Veterans' Affairs, we have been saddled with those who "talk the talk" but don't really "walk the walk"! Our biggest "enemy" here is not the Pollies, but the bureaucrats behind them! They seem resent the benefits our Veterans are entitled to under our Veterans' Etitlements Act (1986) as it is far superior to the Public Service benefits (a more detailed listing of the erosion of entitlements will appear on our website in the near future).
In His Light, Love and Grace,
Freddo
I've been guilty of not posting much for quite a while. This has been due to two things. 1. I have successfully completed my studies for a Doctorate of Divinity, graduating in late August 2006. It took almost two years to complete. 2. We here in Australia suffered a legal setback as to the laws covering Non-Profit Organisations (NPO's) when our Federal Government changed the law to get rid of the shonks who were rorting the system. Under the new law it would cost about AUD 7,000 to register and meet all ATO (read IRS) registration requirements - copy of documentation were forwarded to PMIM HQ in the States. Bascially, we have to register as an Australian Business - which creates a problem with those of us in receipt of DVA pensions, which compensate us for not being "able to work due to our war-caused disabilities" - and then apply to our ATO for 'tax exemption' status. Annual Returns would have to be sent to the ATO through their 'licensed accounting firm" with the ATO setting a minimum annual fee of $1,500 which can be increased by the accounting firm as they see fit! So, please pray that the Lord will open a way for us to be able to function legally.
We still continue to function and make input into the Veteran Community in SE Queensland and still take things relating to Veterans' Entitlements up to the relevant Federal politicians. Sadly, in the last several of our Ministers for Veterans' Affairs, we have been saddled with those who "talk the talk" but don't really "walk the walk"! Our biggest "enemy" here is not the Pollies, but the bureaucrats behind them! They seem resent the benefits our Veterans are entitled to under our Veterans' Etitlements Act (1986) as it is far superior to the Public Service benefits (a more detailed listing of the erosion of entitlements will appear on our website in the near future).
In His Light, Love and Grace,
Freddo