15 March 2006

The Charity Commission is urging financial services providers to visit its website before requesting certificates to prove clients' status as registered charities.

Registered charities need to prove their status in order to continue claiming exemption from stamp duty reserve tax, but the commission says a certificate is not always necessary.

As the end of the financial year approaches, many brokers, accountants and financial advisers could instead verify their clients' details on the Charity Commission's website.

The website holds an online register of all the registered charities in England and Wales.

"If your clients are registered charities there is a quick, easy and accurate way to check - look them up on our online register of charities and print off their entry," advises the commission's chief executive Andrew Hind.

"For those who want to continue claiming stamp duty reserve tax exemption, this really is the only proof needed that they are what they say they are."

© Adfero Ltd

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