A list of FAQs about OSCR Online.
Please click on the
links below to find the answers to the questions:
1. What is
OSCR Online?
2.
When will the new system start?
3.
How will the new system be implemented?
4.
What will I need to do to get ready?
5.
We're only a small charity - surely we don't need to take
part?
6. Will
online filing be compulsory?
7. When
will we be able to file our information or update our details
online?
8.
Will my name and contact details be shown on our charity's Register
entry?
9.
What if I don't want the public to see more information?
10.
How do I submit an Annual Return if I don't have Internet
access?
Please note that OSCR will publish full guidance in time
for the start of the new system. We will also add more
technical information to this list of FAQs.
You should regularly visit this page, and ideally
subscribe to OSCR Reporter, to ensure
that you are kept up date.
1. What is OSCR Online?
OSCR Online is our new service that changes the way we work, and
the way in which charities report to us. It provides a much
shorter paper Annual Return and gives you the option to file
online, as well as make changes to some of your charity's
information published on the Scottish Charity Register - giving you
greater control and making the process easier. The public
will also benefit from an enhanced Register, with additional
financial information about how larger charities spend their
money.
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2. When will the
new system start?
Testing of the online system began in February for completion in
March - it is critical that we ensure the system fully works in
advance of launch. Our aim is to begin sending out the new,
shorter Annual Return form from 1 April. We aim to have the
electronic service operational in early June.
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3. How
will the new system be implemented?
This depends on whether you have expressed an interest in filing
online, and provided us with a contact email address. If you
have expressed an interest, we will send you a User Name and
Password by email in early Summer. For some charities this
will mean a slight delay from the accounting year end, but despite
this the normal 9 month deadline still applies. If you have
not expressed an interest, you'll receive a paper Annual Return
form as part of your normal reporting cycle, and this should be
completed and submitted as usual. We will publish full
guidance on our website in good time for the new system and issue
regular updates through OSCR Reporter.
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4. What will
I need to do to get ready?
The short answer is - nothing. You won't need to contact
OSCR or conduct your business differently. We will contact
you as set out above, and your charity must submit information to
us within the standard timescales. If you haven't already
done so, you may wish to subscribe to OSCR Reporter to make sure
you are kept up to date.
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5. We're only a
small charity - surely we don't need to take part?
Whether you've chosen to take part online, or prefer to continue
with our paper processes, you still have a duty to report to
OSCR. Your charity will continue to operate as normal.
All that's happening is an improvement of our systems to make it
easier for you to report to us, and to provide the public with
clearer information.
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6. Will online
filing be compulsory?
No. Your charity will only be joining our electronic
service if you've expressed an interest. We would rather that
charities moved from paper to the new system, but there is no
requirement to do so.
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7. When will we
be able to file our information or update our details
online?
Our new online service will be available from June 2012.
On that date, we will provide you with log-in details if you have
expressed an interest in online filing.
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8.
Will my name and contact details be shown on our charity's Register
entry?
Where you submit a trustee's address to OSCR, we are required to
publish this along with the name of the Principal Contact.
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9. What if
I don't want the public to see more information?
You already have a responsibility to the public to provide
information, for example through your charity's accounts. Our
changes simply make this information more readily available.
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10. How
do I submit an Annual Return if I don't have Internet access?
You will only be given access to the new online system if you
have previously expressed an interest. Looking forward, we
would prefer charities to submit information electronically.
We believe that Internet access is widely available and that most
people are experienced with online shopping, banking and insurance
services to readily adopt our new system. If you have not
previously expressed an interest, you will be able to do so for
2012-13.