The Charity Commission’s overhauled annual return for 2023 has launched.

The new annual return has seen the maximum number of questions increased from 36 to 49, although this is three fewer than had been mooted by the regulator.

In addition, income thresholds for five of the new questions have been put in place to cut red tape for charities. Also 19 questions have been reworded “to improve clarity”.

The revamped return will be used by charities for their financial years ending in 2023 and subsequent years.

The return must be filled out by all charities with a yearly income of £10,000 or more and completed within 10 months of the end of their financial reporting period.

“The updated question set is designed to help the regulator better assess risks facing the sector and enhance charities’ transparency,” said the regulator.

“Among the changes are new questions to better capture and understand charities’ reliance on certain types of income, and questions on single sources of funding, to gain more information on roles and responsibilities within charities, and to gain a more accurate picture of the geographical areas in which charities operate in England and Wales.”

Charity Commission chief executive Helen Stephenson said: “The Annual Return is important, it helps the Commission to identify risks and problems in the sector and it helps the public to make informed choice about charities.”

New data gathered “will also support policymakers, researchers, the sector, and the public to gain a more in-depth understanding of the nature and profile of charities in England and Wales”, she said, adding that the new return is “is proportionate, ensuring smaller charities do not face an excessive reporting burden”.

Earlier this year the regulator said it had listened to concerns from the sector as it finalised changes to the annual return.

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