We've set out some important information below so you
know what's happening well in advance.
Our new approach brings a number of
benefits:
- A much shorter Annual Return form
- The ability to submit Annual Returns and accounts
electronically
- More financial information on the Scottish Charity
Register.
We're rolling out OSCR Online according to
whether you have previously expressed an interest in online
services by providing us with a contact email address.
This means that there will be two distinct groups, each seeing a
benefit from our new approach.
1. Online filing of returns and
accounts
If you have expressed an interest and supplied
us with an email address - you will benefit from our new electronic
service.
In early June, we will email you a User Name and Password,
allowing you access to OSCR Online.
This means that, for some charities, there will be a
slight delay between the accounting year end date and the ability
to submit information. You must, however, still provide us
with the required information within 9 months of your accounting
year end.
You will be able to access the new system via the Home Page of
our website. The OSCR Online portal will be clearly
highlighted for you to complete your Login details. The first
time you log in, you will be asked to amend your Password to
something more memorable.
We have designed OSCR Online to be secure and easy to use.
We will publish full user guidance on the new system in advance of
its launch.
There are a number of advantages to completing your
information online:
- The new service is secure and more convenient for you to
use
- You can save your changes and return later to complete
submission
- The system ensures that you can only submit correct and
complete information - minimising failed forms and reducing hassle
for your charity.
OSCR Online will allow you to complete Annual Returns and
Supplementary Monitoring Returns electronically. In
submitting accounts, you can either scan your original documents
into pdf format and submit these to OSCR, or send us your hard copy
accounts in the post.
The process will be explained in detail through our user
guidance, available in May 2012.
2. A shorter Annual Return
form
If you have not expressed an interest - you
will receive a paper form as part of your normal reporting
cycle. This should arrive with you within a few days of your
accounting year end. You should complete and submit this form
along with a copy of your most recent set of accounts.
The new Annual Return form is much shorter and easier to
complete. We've reduced it from five sides of A4 to only
two. The Supplementary Monitoring Return is largely
unaltered, given the more detailed financial information that we
require. But for the majority of charities, OSCR Online makes
submission, even in paper format, much easier.
The new form will also display your charity's submission
deadline. This will be 9 months from your accounting year
end.
You should complete this year's form as normal - and ideally
provide us with a contact email address so that you can move to
electronic filing next year. It's easier, more flexible and
more cost effective for your charity.
OSCR Online brings benefits to the sector, to the
public, and to OSCR.
Read
our FAQs to find out more.