11 Oct 2005

Charities Commission Update: Issue 03

Website Up & Running

For those who haven’t already had the opportunity to do so, FoMA recommend that you check out the Commission’s website, which is now up and running. It is still very much a work in progress, with new information being added regularly. The Commissions website is the best place to check for the latest information regarding registration requirements and the registration process, assistance with registering and information about such issues as group registration.

Wider Consultation on Draft Registration & Related forms

Within the next week, the draft registration and related forms will be placed on the website for feedback from the charities sector. What we are interested in is:

• whether charities can provide the information requested,

• whether it is clear what is being asked for, and

• any general comments you may have about the form content.

Those wishing to provide feedback will have until Monday 7 November to do so

CHARITIES TIMELINE: KEY DATES Feedback the Charities Commission has received suggests that organisations would find it helpful if a broad outline of the registration process in terms of key milestones is provided. In this timeline you will find the general timings for the registration process.

April 2005

Charities Act 2005 passed

July 2005

Charities Commission established

August 2005

Initial feedback on form content obtained from workshops and a Guide to the Charities Act$File/charitiesact-guide.pdf published

October 2005

Revised draft forms placed on website for wide feedback from the Charitable sector on form content

End of 2005

Registration check list available on Commission website so organisations can start preparing for registration

End of March 2006

• Final content of forms established by Regulation and forms become available on the Commission website
• Guide to registration/glossary available to aid completion of forms
• Organisations wanting to start the registration process can call 0508 242 748 to gain assistance
• Fact sheets on different registration topics will become available (topics to be determined by feedback from sector and the final form of the Registration forms)

April/May 2006

• Workshops on form completion start. Details on where these workshops will be held and how many are being finalised
• On-line tutorial available to guide people through the registration process

Mid-2006

Register opens to receive applications to register from charitable organisations.

April 2007

It is expected that organisations will have until at least April 2007 to register before their tax status is affected

2007 onwards

Filing of annual returns

Over the next few months, information aimed at assisting organisations with their preparations for registration will become available from the Commission, or downloadable from the Commission’s website. Throughout the registration process the Commission’s monthly updates will also contain information on the registration process and the resources available.

Resources

Guide to the Charities Act: this is now available either electronically from the Commission’s website or by ringing the Commission’s free line 0508 242 748. (Please remember that registration will not commence until mid-2006.).

Registration checklist: a checklist of the things an organisation will need to have, or have done, prior to registration is currently being prepared and will be available before the end of the year.

Communicating with the Charitable Sector Trevor Garrett is keen to meet as many people from organisations within the charitable sector as possible. Like Board members he is accepting speaking engagements and welcomes the opportunity these engagements will provide to meet people from the charitable sector; to provide information about the commission and to gain feedback.

For information visit: www.charities.govt.nz Free phone: 0508 242 748

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