As we finally appear to be seeing the first signs of summer, charities are beginning to think about getting their accounts prepared and looking to complete their Charity annual returns.
The legislation states:
- If your charity’s income is more than £10,000, you must complete an annual return within 10 months of your financial reporting period end. (if your year end is 31st March then the last date for returns will be 31st January the following year) If you fail to meet this legal requirement, your charity’s details will be marked ‘overdue’. After 6 months your charity’s details may be removed altogether and the Charity Commission may consider whether further action is needed.
- Even if your charity’s income is under £10,000, you should use the annual return form to meet your legal obligations to keep your registered details up to date.
But apart from fulfilling your legal obligations why should you bother to keep your entry up to date – how often do you hear of charities being fined for not completing their charitable returns – and after all isn’t it a hassle to do?
Well, changes in the funding climate has meant that for many funders their first port of call when considering an organisation for a grant is to check out their charitable entry – after all why would you give funding to a charity who can’t complete their returns even though they have 10 months to do so?! But your charity entry can also advertise to a multitude of browsers how great your organisation is – when is the last time you looked at your entry and really read it – does it actually tell the world what you do?
One funder tells us:
“When a Charity applies to us for support one of the first things we do is research what they do with the Charity Commission. At the Assessment Visit I always read out the Objects to ensure that what they are asking us to support is covered appropriately. I also run through the Activities.
And there goes a problem. I would estimate that around 90% of the entries do not reflect the services that a Charity is delivering. Ask yourself a simple question “What do we deliver?”, and then list what you do. And then match that list with your entry.
The Activities can be changed by yourselves, you don’t need an EGM as you would if you were trying to change your Objects. Bring your Activities up to date, make them more reflective of what you are currently doing. It may well make your fund raising easier because it could make your charity’s work that much more appealing.
Simply re-write what you now do, and someone in your organisation will have the Password which allows you to change your entry. Hopefully it will work, but remember you will need your Trustees approval”
Peter Ellis, Lloyds TSB Foundation
Over 6 million people search for and find charities’ details every year on the Charity Commision’s website. By completing the annual return, you tell potential donors, funders, volunteers and beneficiaries about your charity.
Before you start
It’s a good idea to collect everything you need before you start completing the annual return.
You will need:
- your charity’s online services password
- your registered charity number
- its company number (if applicable)
- numbers for any linked charities (if applicable)
- Financial information
- Contact details for your charity
- Information about your charity’s people
- Aims and activities for your charity
The Charity Commission has more detailed information regarding Annual Returns: How to complete, Trustees Annual Report: How to prepare, Keeping Charity Details up to date and Money and Accounts
One last point!
If you are also a registered company don’t forget that you also have to make returns to Companies House – and if you are late they will fine you! Information about filing your Annual Returns can be found on the Companies House website