Annual Validation & Returns

Every charity and NPO is required annually to complete three returns/validations

The Registry Annual Validation and ODPA’s annual registration is due in January

1. Guernsey Registry Annual Validation (Feb) – confirms your charity’s details on the Register are accurate and up to date.

2. ODPA (Office of the Data Protection Authority) return (Feb) – ensures your charity's details are correct.

3. Tax return (Nov) – applicable to all NPOs and compulsory registered charities. Voluntary registered charities do not need to file a tax return.

Support is available for all three returns through the Guernsey Registry and the Association of Guernsey Charities.

The process is done through the Registry’s online Charities Portal. It is straightforward once you are familiar with it, but there are a few common queries.

Important: Failure to complete the Annual Validation may result in your charity being struck off the Register, meaning it will lose its registered status and associated benefits.

Key things to know

• Portal accounts are personal – each Managing Official (committee member) have their personal account to manage their charity's responsibilities.

• Authorised filers – these are people nominated by the charity to submit filings online. They can be Managing Officials, but they don’t have to be. Each charity can have the option to have multiple filers so it is not left to just one person.

• Managing Officials – any changes to Managing Officials must be submitted within 21 days of the change. Always wait for one submission to be fully registered before starting another.

• Annual Validation changes – you cannot update details within the Annual Validation form itself. Changes must be filed separately before completing the validation.

• Confirmation – you will get an email when your submission is made, and a second email once the Registry has reviewed and registered it. The Register does not update until this second confirmation.

• Support - the Guernsey Registry, along with the Association of Guernsey Charities, offer drop-in sessions ahead of the Annual Validation deadline.

Need help?

If you have problems completing your annual validation, you can contact the Guernsey Registry directly:

Email: charities@guernseyregistry.com

Telephone: 01481 220075