Should amateur sports club register as a Charity or as CASC?
The Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) Scheme was introduced in April 2002. It allows local amateur sports clubs to register with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and benefit from a range of tax reliefs.
A summary of the CASC reliefs and benefits are shown below – alongside those which could be enjoyed if your Club were to opt for charitable status instead. Charitable status does however bring its own additional regulatory issues.
| Reliefs Available | Charity | CASC |
| Corporation Tax on interest | Exempt | Exempt |
| Corporation Tax on trading income | Up to £50,000 of turnover and all primary purpose trading income exempt | Exempt if turnover is no more than £50,000 per year |
| Corporation Tax on income from property | Exempt | Exempt if rent is no more than £30,000 |
| Capital Gains and Corporation Tax on disposal of assets | Exempt | Exempt |
| Gift Aid | Gift aid on donations made by individuals and companies. (NB Gift aid may be available on all or part of subscriptions depending on the benefits received) |
Gift aid only available on donations made by individuals and not on subscriptions. |
| Inheritance Tax | Inheritance Tax reliefs | Inheritance Tax reliefs |
| Gifts of assets | Gifts of assets on a no-gain, no-loss basis for capital gains | Gifts of assets on a no-gain, no-loss basis for capital gains |
| Gifts of trading stock | Relief on gifts of trading stock | Relief on gifts of trading stock |
| Gifts of shares | Income Tax relief on gifts of shares | No Income Tax relief on gifts of shares |
| Rates Relief | 80% mandatory relief if property used wholly or mainly for purposes of the charity + 20% relief at the discretion of the local authority | 80% mandatory relief if property used wholly or mainly for purposes of a registered CASC + 20% relief at the discretion of the local authority |
| Payroll Giving | Payroll giving possible | No payroll giving |
| VAT relief | Specific reliefs available (see HMRC website for more details) | No specific relief. Exemptions possible (see HMRC website for more details) |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax | Exempt | Payable |
If you would like more information about CASC and your Club, please do not hesitate to contact us.
