You have a mission. You want to make a real difference in your community, your cause, your corner of the world. The last thing you need is to get buried in forms, regulatory jargon, and back-and-forth with government bodies.
That is where TAS Consulting comes in.
We help organisations across Ireland apply for charitable status from start to finish. We handle the structure, the paperwork, the CRA registration, and the Revenue tax exemption application so you can focus on the work that actually matters.
✓ Fast 5-day setup ✓ All government fees included ✓ Complete legal documentation provided ✓ Free automated compliance tracking ✓ Free secure legal data room ✓ Ongoing legal and business support
✓ Meets Irish EEA director compliance requirements ✓ Revenue-approved non-resident director bond included ✓ Full documentation and CRO filing support ✓ Fast and hassle-free setup process ✓ Secure handling of all legal records ✓ Ongoing compliance and advisory support
Charitable status is a formal legal designation that recognises your organisation as a charity under Irish law. It is governed by the Charities Act 2009 and overseen by two separate bodies:
The Charities Regulator (CRA): the independent authority that maintains the Register of Charities in Ireland. Every organisation that meets the definition of a charity and intends to operate in Ireland must register with the CRA.
Revenue Commissioners: once registered with the CRA, your organisation can apply to Revenue for a Charitable Tax Exemption. This is what gives you access to income tax relief, VAT compensation, and eligibility for the Charitable Donations Scheme (CHY number).
Registering with the CRA and getting your Revenue tax exemption are two separate steps. Many organisations make the mistake of thinking one automatically follows the other it does not. We make sure both are done correctly.
Why Charitable Status Matters
Getting charitable status is not just a legal formality. It changes what your organisation can do and how the public sees you.
Tax exemptions: Registered charities in Ireland are exempt from Corporation Tax, Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) on income and gains applied for charitable purposes.
Access to the Charitable Donations Scheme: Donations of €250 or more from PAYE taxpayers can be claimed back by your charity through Revenue’s CHY scheme effectively increasing the value of every qualifying donation.
VAT Compensation Scheme: Registered charities can claim back a proportion of the VAT they pay on goods and services, reducing your operating costs.
Credibility and public trust: Appearing on the Register of Charities tells donors, funders, and the public that your organisation is properly governed and accountable. This matters enormously when applying for grants.
Access to funding and grants: Most charitable grant bodies and State funding programmes require CRA registration as a baseline condition. Without it, you simply cannot apply.
Who We Help
We work with a wide range of organisations seeking charitable status in Ireland, including:
Community and voluntary groups setting up for the first time, sports clubs and cultural organisations applying for recognition, educational and religious organisations, health and welfare organisations, environmental and heritage groups, and existing limited companies (LTDs) converting to Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) status to qualify for CRA registration.
Whether you are starting from scratch or converting an existing structure, we guide you through every step.
What We Do For You
CLG Formation or Re-Registration: To register with the Charities Regulator, your organisation must be structured as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) not a standard limited company. If you are not already incorporated as a CLG, we handle the formation or re-registration process, including drafting or revising your constitution with the correct charitable objects clause required by Revenue.
CRA Registration: We prepare and submit your application to the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA), including your governing document, trustees’ details and declarations, conflict of interest policy, financial information or projections, and your public benefit statement. We manage any follow-up queries from the CRA on your behalf because the Regulator almost always comes back with questions, and how you answer them matters.
Revenue CHY1 Tax Exemption Application: Once CRA registration is confirmed, we prepare and submit Form CHY1 (or DCHY1 for non-Irish established charities) to Revenue via ROS to apply for your Charitable Tax Exemption and CHY number. We ensure your constitution contains all the specific clauses Revenue requires a common reason applications are delayed or refused.
Trustee Requirements and Governance: Your charity must have at least three trustees, the majority of whom must be Irish residents and independent of each other. We advise on trustee structures, responsibilities, and the governance obligations that come with CRA registration, including the Charities Governance Code.
Ongoing Compliance Support: Charitable status comes with annual obligations filing your Annual Report with the Charities Regulator within ten months of your financial year-end, CRO Annual Return filing, Revenue returns, and maintaining accurate financial records. We offer ongoing compliance support so you stay fully registered and in good standing.
The Application Process at a Glance
Step 1 Structure your organisation correctly: Form or re-register as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) with a constitution that includes charitable objects and the specific Revenue-required clauses.
Step 2 Register with the Charities Regulator (CRA): Submit your application with all required documentation governing document, trustee information, financial plans, and public benefit statement.
Step 3 Apply to Revenue for Charitable Tax Exemption: Submit Form CHY1 via ROS. On approval, Revenue issues your CHY number your charity’s tax-exempt identity.
Step 4 Meet your ongoing obligations: File your Annual Report with the CRA, maintain financial transparency, and comply with company law obligations under the Companies Act 2014.
We walk you through all four steps and handle as much or as little as you need.
What You Need to Qualify
To apply for charitable status in Ireland, your organisation must:
Operate exclusively for one or more recognised charitable purposes relief of poverty, advancement of education, advancement of religion, or other purposes that benefit the community. Demonstrate that its activities provide a genuine public benefit, not just a private or narrow group benefit. Be structured as or willing to become a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG). Have at least three trustees, the majority of whom are Irish residents and independent of one another. Have a constitution that clearly sets out your charitable purposes and includes all clauses required by Revenue. Commit to applying all income and assets to charitable purposes the organisation cannot distribute profits to members or trustees.
To prepare your CRA and Revenue applications, we typically need:
Your governing document (constitution, trust deed, or memorandum and articles), details of all trustees including names, addresses, dates of birth, and occupations, signed trustee declaration forms confirming eligibility and independence, a statement of your charitable activities current or planned, financial accounts or detailed financial projections if the organisation is new, a public benefit statement explaining clearly who benefits and how, a conflict of interest policy, and a business or operational plan outlining your objectives and how you will achieve them.
If you are not sure you have everything, that is perfectly fine we will work through it with you.
Why Choose TAS Consulting?
We are not a generic form-filling service. We are experienced business and compliance advisors who understand both the charitable sector and Irish regulatory requirements in detail.
We have helped community groups, sporting organisations, educational bodies, and voluntary organisations across Ireland achieve charitable status and maintain it. We know where applications commonly go wrong an incomplete constitution, unclear public benefit statements, insufficient trustee independence and we address those issues before they cause delays.
You will work with a dedicated advisor who keeps you informed at every stage, answers your questions plainly, and gets the application right the first time.
Does my organisation automatically get a tax exemption when registered with the CRA?
No. CRA registration and Revenue tax exemption are two separate processes. You must apply to Revenue separately using Form CHY1 after registering with the Charities Regulator. We handle both.
How long does the charitable status application process take in Ireland?
It varies. CRA registration typically takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the volume of applications and whether follow-up queries arise. Revenue’s CHY exemption review can take additional time on top of that. Starting early and submitting a complete, well-prepared application makes a significant difference.
Can an existing limited company (LTD) apply for charitable status?
Not directly. A standard LTD must first re-register as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) by adopting a new constitution and filing a Form D20 with the CRO. We manage this conversion as part of our service.
Does a charity still need to file with the CRO?
Yes. A CLG registered charity must still comply with all obligations under the Companies Act 2014 including Annual Returns to the CRO. Charity trustees have the same legal duties as company directors, whether they are paid or voluntary.
What happens if my charity does not file its Annual Report with the Charities Regulator?
Failure to file can result in regulatory action, damage to your charity’s reputation, and potential removal from the Register of Charities. We offer ongoing compliance support to ensure this never happens.
TAS Consulting’s nominee directors are experienced Irish professionals with a strong track record across multiple board positions. They are fully vetted, professionally indemnified, and well regarded by Irish accounting and legal practitioners.
We also provide a complete suite of supporting services to get your company fully operational.
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