Charity registration and requirements

If your group has charitable aims and an income over £5000 per year, then the law says you are required to register with the Charity Commission. This section gives information on how to check whether your aims are charitable (this is defined in law), how to register as a charity, and what registered charities have to do.

Click the Links tab for details of other organisations and websites with useful information in this area.

• Charity reporting and accounts

  This guide summarises the requirement for charities to produce accounts, reports and returns each year.

• Examination of accounts

  Getting your group’s accounts independently examined: what it means, why you might want to do it, and how to go about it.

• Responsibilities of registered charities

  A short summary of the responsibilities of registered non-company charities with income under £250,000.

• Legal structures for community groups and not-for-profit organisations

  This page provides simple explanation of different types of not-for-profit organisation, and what to consider when choosing a legal structure.
  

• Charity Registration

  Information to help your community organisation understand whether it is or could be a charity, whether it should register with the Charity Commission, and how to do so.