The Charities Register - benefits for charities
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Registration offers a number of benefits to organisations that choose to register. To view the Charities Register click here.
The Charities Register will help build and maintain public confidence in the charitable sector by making more information about charities publicly available. It will also provide better information to government, from which it can make policy decisions affecting the charitable sector.
Registration offers a number of benefits to organisations that choose to register and we have outlined these below.
What are the benefits of registration?
- Supporters will be able to find detailed information about your organisation on the Charities Register. Potential donors and supporters can look at the Register before they make decisions about the charities they wish to support.
- Funders will be able to find detailed information about your organisation on the Charities Register.
Potential funders can look at the Register and access financial and other information. - Eligibility for tax exemption. As a registered charitable entity, your organisation can expect to be eligible for tax exempt status. Changes to the Income Tax Act 2004 and Estate and Gift Duties Act 1968 say that only charities registered with the Charities Commission will be eligible for tax exempt status. Tax exempt status means registered charities don't have to pay income tax and resident withholding tax and donors of gifts to registered charities don't have to pay gift duty. The changes take effect from 1 July 2008. See our information sheet - How the Charities Act affects your tax status for more details.
- Show that you meet our criteria.
You can display your unique registration number on promotional and identification material and quote it over the telephone to prospective donors or funders as proof of your registered charitable status. - Improved public confidence.
Registered charities should enjoy improved public trust and confidence as information about their activities and the way they use their resources will be available on the Charities Register. - Contribute to valuable data that will affect policy making decisions.
By registering, charitable organisations will provide the Commission and the Government with important information about the charitable sector in New Zealand. The collection of this data will help us understand the charitable sector and make policy decisions affecting the sector and the general public. - Attend annual meetings.
Representatives of registered charitable entitles can attend our annual meetings and ask questions and make submissions on matters that may affect the charitable sector in New Zealand.
How will the public use the Register?
Members of the public can look at the Register to find information about registered charities, including their activities, areas of operation and charitable purpose.
We are already a charitable trust – do we need to register?
Yes, if you wish to keep your tax exempt status. All charitable organisations that wish to be eligible for tax exempt status after 1 July 2008 will need to register with the Charities Commission.
What if I don’t register?
You can still operate as a charity but after 1 July 2008, you will not be entitled to tax exemptions on the grounds of charitable purpose.
Also, charities wishing to use the term ‘registered charitable entity’, ‘charitable entity’ or any other term implying registration with the Charities Commission must register.
The Charities Act includes penalties for organisations that say they are registered when they are not.
Further information
For more information about the Charities Commission or registration under the Charities Act, please browse this website.
You can also call the Charities Commission on our free information line 0508 242 748.
To get updates by email, please send your name, organisation and contact details to info@charities.govt.nz.