Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General announced a 60-day amnesty period to help delinquent charitable organizations return to good standing.
The amnesty period is from July 1-Aug. 31, during which eligible charitable organizations can correct overdue filings, pay required registration or filing fees and complete other outstanding compliance requirements.
Organizations that fully satisfy the conditions of the amnesty program by the deadline can receive a waiver of applicable late fees and penalties.
“Hawai‘i’s charitable organizations provide essential services and strengthen communities throughout our state,” said Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General Tax and Charities Division Charities Program Administrator Jill Fukunaga in the amnesty announcement.
Fukunaga added the amnesty period also helps preserve the transparency and accountability Hawai‘i donors need and deserve.
“Our goal is to help organizations become compliant, remain accountable and continue their important work,” she said.
Hawai‘i law requires charitable organizations that solicit contributions in the state to register with the state attorney general, file required annual reports and pay applicable fees. These requirements help donors obtain reliable information about charitable organizations and ensure charitable funds are properly solicited, managed and used.
Some organizations have fallen behind on their required annual filings or payments. As a result, they were suspended or could soon receive a notice of suspension from the attorney general department’s registry.
The amnesty program is intended to encourage voluntary compliance and help eligible organizations address outstanding obligations before additional enforcement action becomes necessary.
“This initiative supports both sides of charitable giving,” Fukunaga said. “It protects members of the public who generously donate their money and it supports legitimate charities that are working to serve the people of Hawai‘i. Our goal is to help organizations become compliant, remain accountable and continue their important work.”
How to participate
An eligible charitable organization must complete all required steps by Aug. 31 to qualify for amnesty.
The steps include:
- Filing all overdue registration statements, annual financial reports and other required documents.
- Paying all current registration, renewal or filing fees, which are not being waived.
- Providing any additional information or documentation requested by the department.
- Correcting any other outstanding registration or reporting deficiencies identified by the department.
Find information regarding charity registration and annual reporting requirements online.
Once an organization fully satisfies the requirements, the department might waive any eligible late fees and penalties associated with the delinquent filings. Organizations suspended or received a notice of suspension in the past might also be eligible to have their registration reinstated after completing all applicable requirements.
The amnesty program will not excuse fraud, misuse of charitable assets, false statements or other substantive violations of law. It applies only to eligible filing, registration and payment delinquencies and does not prevent the department from taking appropriate action when necessary to protect the public.
Check your organization’s status
Charitable organizations are encouraged to review their registration status as soon as possible and not wait until the end of the amnesty period. Organizations can check their status online.
Officers, directors, trustees, accountants, attorneys and other advisers to charitable organizations are encouraged to share information about the amnesty program and help affected organizations meet the deadline.
Questions can be directed to the Tax and Charities Division by calling 808-586-1480 or emailing to atg.charities@hawaii.gov.
