The CASC scheme offers local sports clubs a number of significant tax breaks and the possibility of claiming rate relief from their local authorities.  The measures are designed to help keep money in the grassroots sport sector and to help community sport and recreation clubs secure the financial health of their organisations.

The scheme is administered by the Inland Revenue and there is a simple application process.  Clubs wishing to gain registration on the scheme should fill in the short application form and send to the Inland Revenue Sports Club Unit, along with a copy of the clubs constitutional document (constitution, club rules or memorandum and articles) and a copy of the latest accounts.  Once a club has been successfully registered, it will be sent a registration number by the Inland Revenue and will then be eligible to claim rate relief, and a range of tax reliefs.  Full details of how to apply are available at http://www.ccpr.org.uk/dyncat.cfm?catid=13897.

There are multiple benefits of becoming a CASC:

• Registered clubs will receive at least 80% mandatory business rate relief.  Local authorities can offer up to 100% relief to clubs at their discretion. 
• CASCs have the ability to raise funds from individuals under GiftAid.  A registered CASC can reclaim £28 in tax from the Inland Revenue for every £100 donated by individuals.  Thus a club can claim GiftAid on any donation from an individual or any fund raising it undertakes.  Clubs do not have to own/lease their own land to significantly benefit from the scheme. 
• Registered CASCs are exempt from corporation tax on profits derived from trading activities if their trading income is under £30, 000 pa. 
• Profits derived from property income are also exempt for CASCs if gross property income is under £20,000 pa. 
• CASCs whose income does not exceed the above thresholds will no longer be required to complete a corporate tax return on an annual basis.