Parochial Church Council – Charitable Status
Each Parochial Church Council in England is a separate charity in its own right. All PCCs within the Church of England with an income under £100,000 are excepted from registration with the Charity Commission under the Charities Exception from Registration Regulations until 31 March 2031. Parishes can no longer ask for a written determination to not have to register with the Charity Commission if annual income is exceptionally above £100,000. All parishes with annual income over £100,000 in any financial year must register.
By the end of March 2031, all PCCs with an annual income of over £5,000, will be need to be registered. A phased onboarding for Church of England PCCs will likely start in 2026. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
For answers to frequently asked questions please visit:
https://www.parishresources.org.uk/pccs/frequently-asked-questions/
For guidance on registering as a charity please visit Parish Resources (linked below) or contact the Finance team.
https://parishresources.org.uk/the-pcc-as-a-charity/registration-with-the-charity-commission/
Proof of Charity Status
Churches often report difficulty when they need a charity registration number to access some services. Some quote their HMRC gift aid reference number (which usually begins with a "x") and make it clear that this is the number that they are quoting. Other organisations will accept proof of excepted charity status from the certificate that can be downloaded via your own profile page on the A Church Near You website.
To download your church's certificate follow the instructions below:
- Find your church's profile page on the A Church Near You website
- Scroll down the left hand menu and click on the "More Information" tab.
- Scroll down to to the bottom of the "More Information" page and complete a registration form to receive your certificate.