Live registration Twitter Q&A
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland will be answering questions on charity registration live on Twitter on Tuesday 9 September 2014.
The event, to be held via the Commission's Twitter account @CharityCommNI from noon to 1.30pm, will give charities and other interested parties an opportunity to have their registration questions answered by one of the Commission’s Casework team.
Frances McCandless, Chief Executive of the Commission, commented: “Compulsory charity registration is still a new process in Northern Ireland and, as a result, there are still some questions on how the process works.
“Working alongside our range of online registration guidance, the live Twitter Q&A will provide an opportunity to publicly address some of those queries and help prepare charities for their registration application.
“So if you, or someone you know, has a query about charity registration, get online and send us your question now via @CharityCommNI or email admin@charitycommissionni.org.uk and we will endeavour to answer as many queries as we can live on Twitter on 9 September.”
Charity registration began in Northern Ireland for the first time in December 2013, marking the beginning of a process which will see the thousands of charitable organisations operating across Northern Ireland registered as charities.
In order to manage the registration process fairly and efficiently, the Commission is calling organisations forward to register in tranches.
However, even if your organisation has not yet been called forward to apply to register, it is vital that you check the Commission’s online registration lists to ensure the Commission has your correct contact details.
Frances continued: “It is compulsory to apply to register with the Commission if your organisation is, or could be, charitable, regardless of your organisation’s size, annual income or whether or not it has registered with HMRC for charitable tax exemptions.
“That’s why it is so important for charitable organisations to check the registration lists on our website and if they aren’t listed, or the details are incorrect, to follow the ‘first steps’ outlined on the webpage as soon as possible.
“For example, if you check the registration lists and your organisation is not listed it is likely that you will need to complete an Expression of intent form, which should be submitted before 16 December 2014.”
For more information on charity registration, to access the range of registration guidance and support, or to check the Commission’s registration lists to see if your organisation is listed, visit the Register your charity section of the Commission's website now.
Notes to editors
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is the independent regulator of charities in Northern Ireland. It was established under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008
It is compulsory for all charities operating in Northern Ireland to apply for charity registration. In order to be invited forward to apply, your details must be on one of three lists (deemed, non deemed and special circumstances) which the Commission is using to manage registration in a fair and efficient way.
The Commission is encouraging all organisations that are, or could be, charitable to check the online registrations lists and to follow the outlined steps as appropriate to their situation before the deadline of 16 December 2014.
All Expression of Intent forms must be submitted to the Commission by 16 December 2014.