The Stewardship Committee of the National Tax Clinic program is pleased to present its 2023 Annual Report. The Committee is comprised of representatives drawn from the 15 tax clinics operating around Australia under the program. We are passionate about the work each tax clinic does in their community to assist small businesses in hardship and other vulnerable groups with their taxation affairs, whilst also providing our students with a real-life learning opportunity.
The National Tax Clinic program is an important Federal Government initiative. We welcome the government’s recent decision to expand the program by increasing the number of tax clinics by 5 from 1 January 2025, and include both universities and TAFEs. The Stewardship Committee acknowledges the support provided by the Australian Taxation Office in promoting the collective impact and success of the program.
In this report, the Key Outcomes for 2023 demonstrates not only the collective results and impact of our tax clinics’ efforts in providing tax assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and small businesses, but also the role they play as an educator to both the Australian community and student participants. The growth of our partnerships with community organisations already assisting small business in hardship and other vulnerable groups allows tax clinics to serve their communities in a broad range of circumstances residing not only in towns and cities, but also in regional and remote areas of Australia where tax assistance is very much needed. As you will see reading through the reports from each individual tax clinic, we are embarking on many varied and impactful initiatives that are helping those in need in our local communities and provide much needed taxation and financial literacy to a variety of groups. The impact and stories from our operations in 2023 contained in this Report come from the major stakeholders of the program being the perspectives of the students, clients, academics, and professionals committed to the ongoing success of the program and we encourage you to read these and see the program though our eyes.
We are proud that the collective results and impact of our tax clinics contributes to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals of zero poverty, quality education, reduced inequalities, gender equality, and strengthened partnerships.
We are grateful for the support we receive from the Federal Government, educational institutions, partner organisations, the Australian Taxation Office, other government organisations, professional associations and the many clients we support who put their faith in us every day.