The register of charities and potential for a charity registration threshold

Click on the question below to be brought to the answer:

• How many charities are on the register of charities?
• Will the Act introduce a threshold for registration in Northern Ireland?

How many charities are on the register of charities?

The register of charities is a comprehensive and public list of all registered charities operating within Northern Ireland, with each listed charity having indicated it exists for charitable purposes.

The 2022 Act ensures that the register is legally valid, with each listed charity being able to use the term “registered charity”.

The register is a living database, updated with newly registered charities as well as incorporating information such as mergers, closures, and name changes. At the start of 2022 there were over 6,600 charities on the register with their charitable purposes and other details available. A large proportion have also provided information about their annual accounts and reports for public display on the register of charities.

Will the Act introduce a threshold for registration in Northern Ireland?

The Act includes a power for the Department for Communities to introduce a registration threshold through regulations at some future point. However, no threshold has been introduced at this time. This means that all charities are currently required to register with the Commission, regardless of income, size or whether or not they have received charitable tax status from HMRC.

As the regulator, the Commission takes no position on whether there should or should not be a threshold and where it should be set. The Commission’s role is to implement the legislation as it stands.