Frequently Asked Questions

The Charity Commission is the regulator of charities in England and Wales. It is responsible for ensuring that charities are operating in accordance with the law and best practices.

Charities in England and Wales must be registered with the Charity Commission if their annual income is over £5,000. Registration is important because it provides legal recognition of your charity's status and allows you to apply for tax relief.

The process of registering a charity with the Charity Commission involves several steps. First, you will need to provide the Commission with information about your charity, such as its name, purpose, and governing document. You will also need to provide details about your charity's trustees and finances. Once your application has been submitted, the Charity Commission will review it and may request additional information or clarification. If your application is approved, you will receive a charity number and be officially registered with the Commission.

To be eligible for charity registration, your organization must be established for charitable purposes only. This means that your organization's activities must be for the public benefit and must fall into one of the charitable purposes defined by law.

The length of time it takes to register a charity with the Charity Commission can vary depending on the complexity of your application and the Commission's workload. In general, the process can take several weeks to several months.

There is no fee for registering a charity with the Charity Commission.

To apply for charity registration with the Charity Commission, you will need to submit an application through the Commission's online portal. The application form will ask you to provide information about your charity's purpose, activities, trustees, and finances.

After you submit your application for charity registration, the Charity Commission will review it and may request additional information or clarification. If your application is approved, you will receive a charity number and be officially registered with the Commission. If your application is not approved, the Commission will provide you with reasons for the rejection and advice on how to address any issues.

A governing document is a legal document that sets out the rules for how your charity will be run. It typically includes information about your charity's purpose, powers, and governance structure. You will need a governing document to register your charity with the Charity Commission.

Yes, once your charity is registered with the Charity Commission, you can apply for tax relief from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). This may include exemptions from income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax, as well as eligibility for gift aid.