Guernsey Extends Charities Law To Alderney

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

06 May 2011

The Guernsey government has announced that from June 30, 2011, all Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) based in Alderney will be required to register with the Director of Income Tax, now the Registrar of Charities and NPOs.

In 2008, the States of Guernsey introduced legislation which required most charities and Non-Profit Organisations based in Guernsey, Jethou and Herm to register. However, at the time, registration for these entities based in Alderney was voluntary, but following amendment to the Guernsey legislation and with the approval of the States of Alderney, it is now compulsory for them to register.

The relevant legislation took effect on April 4, 2011, and any charities and NPOs who have not already registered are, therefore, now required to do so. However, there is an exemption from the requirement to register for any charity or NPO where gross annual income is less than GBP5,000 or whose gross assets and funds are less than GBP10,000. Whilst the Law imposes a requirement to register immediately, the Registrar is prepared to allow two months for charities and NPOs to complete and submit the application for registration, the deadline being June 30, 2011.

The definition of “NPO” is very widely drawn in the Law, and includes sports and social clubs, professional associations, residents associations and other similar bodies.

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