The Charity Commission for England and Wales has announced an extension of its opening hours ahead of the January 31 deadline for annual return filings. Apart from longer opening hours, the Charity Commission has detailed requirements for nonprofits seeking to file their annual returns.
Extended Opening Hours For Annual Return Filings
According to an X post, the Charity Commission confirmed that its Contact Center will remain open for longer hours between January 26 and January 30. Per the statement, staff at the Contact Center will be available from 8 am to 5 pm to assist charities in filing their annual returns.
Previously, the doors of the Charity Commission’s Contact Center opened at 9 am before formally closing at 5 pm. The new update will see staff resume one hour earlier until January 30.
“We’re extending our Contact Centre opening hours to help charities who need to file their annual return by 31 January,” read the statement.
Specifically, the new working hours will help charities file their annual returns before the tentative January 31 deadline. Previously, the Charity Commission shared key information for nonprofits seeking to file their annual returns, detailing what organizations should submit according to their income size.
We’re extending our Contact Centre opening hours to help charities who need to file their annual return by 31 January.
We will be available from 8am to 5pm, between Monday 26 January and Friday 30 January.
Find out what you need to prepare: https://t.co/CbOkFqWczn pic.twitter.com/Z8tX3znMOd
— Charity Commission (@ChtyCommission) January 25, 2026
Mad Dash To File Annual Returns Ahead Of January 31
Over the last week, several UK-based organizations have confirmed their annual return filings with the Charity Commission. An avalanche of nonprofits is racing to make their own filings within the week in compliance with extant rules.
While January 31 is not a deadline set in stone, many UK charities operate an accounting year that ends on March 31 or April 5. The choice aligns with the UK tax year, triggering a January 31 deadline since charities must file their annual return within 10 months of the end of their financial year.
For UK charities, there are several reasons for this. Nonprofits opt for this accounting year for alignment with HMRC and mainstream tax reporting, while others have their sights on consistency with government grants.
However, experts have warned UK charities to brace for funding cuts in 2026, with regulators ramping up compliance checks for nonprofits.
