Annual return

The annual return is a set of online questions that keeps the public register accurate and gives the Charity Commission a yearly snapshot of the sector. It is separate from your accounts, though most charities complete both together. What you must submit depends on your income and legal form.

Registered charities with gross income over £10,000, and all CIOs, must file their annual return within 10 months of their financial year-end. (Source: GOV.UK, Prepare a charity annual return, accessed 9 July 2026.) Charities with income of £10,000 or less do not complete the full return but must still keep their registered details up to date. Charities with income over £25,000 must also file their accounts and Trustees’ Annual Report.

Miss the deadline and your register entry is publicly marked as overdue, which funders and donors can see. Put every year-end and filing date in one place — the charity deadlines calendar — and read the full walk-through in the UK Charity Compliance Handbook.