AusLeisure

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has thrown its support behind Fitness Australia's #FITnotFBT initiative - a campaign calling for the extension of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption to apply to all fitness services.

Explaining the the provision of fitness services to employees shouldn't be dictated by the size of the business, ACCI Chief Executive Kate Carnell stated "regardless of where the services are provided, they deliver the same benefits to the employee, the business and the community.

“So the tax treatment shouldn't be any different either. That is why ACCI supports the #FITnotFBT campaign.

"With 99% of Australian businesses being small and medium enterprises, ACCI launched the ‘Small Business: Too big to ignore’ campaign in 2013.

“We'll help deliver the message to Government that a healthy, productive workforce cannot be achieved unless small business can access the same incentives as big business."

While big businesses with on-site fitness services are exempt from paying FBT, small businesses who want to provide fitness services to their workers off-site - such as at a local gym or park - have to pay 47% tax.

As a result, providing fitness services to staff is cost-prohibitive for 80% of Australian businesses - a situation that Fitness Australia wants to change.

Commenting on this, Fitness Australia Chief Executive Lauretta Stace “#FITnotFBT is about levelling the playing field, giving all employers, regardless of size, the tools to provide a healthy workforce.

“Government has a role to play, through providing incentives to businesses to help them implement healthy initiatives.

“The next phase of Fitness Australia’s direct lobbying efforts will be to meet with Members of Parliament across Australia in partnership with fitness business operators and members of their local business community.

“Our aim is to ensure that as many MP’s as possible are aware of and understand the issue and our proposed solution.”

“However, to achieve change to this legislation, we need to do more as a united industry and we need to have a louder voice on this issue.”

“That’s why we need every fitness business in Australia to get behind the #FITnotFBT campaign.”

Fitness Australia will be hosting an Industry Lounge at the 2015 Australian Fitness & Health Expo being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre this weekend.

The Lounge will feature free business advice covering topics such as finance, marketing and franchising, along with a networking area and bar. 

For more information on the #FITnotFBT campaign go to www.FITnotFBT.org.au

Image shows Fitness Australia's Lauretta Stace (left) and ACCI's Kate Carnell.

16th October 2014 - FITNESS AUSTRALIA CAMPAIGNS FOR TAX SYSTEM CHANGES FOR A HEALTHY WORKFORCE

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