Starting with financial years commencing on or after 1 January 2026, charities will face new standards for their annual reports
The new Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP), developed by the UK Charity Commission in accordance with the Accounting Standards Board’s guidelines, will apply to charities that keep their accounts on the accruals basis for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2026.
Key changes under SORP 2026
The Charity Commission has identified several significant changes, including
- new reporting requirements for certain types of income and lease arrangements
- introduction of three new transparency tiers for the largest charities
- Tier 1 – charities with income up to £500,000
- Tier 2 – charities with income between £500,000 and £15 million
- Tier 3 – charities with income above £15 million
- refreshed Trustees’ Annual Report requirements
- updated guidance on social investments, simplifying how charities report
- clearer and more accessible requirements for reporting provisions and contingencies
Find out more about SORP 2026.
First published 20 January 2026
