Thousands of charities have received a “red mark” from the national charities regulator, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), for failing to lodge their annual reports on time.

The red mark will now appear on the ACNC's Charity Register listing of more than 3,500 charities that were more than six months overdue with their annual reporting to the Commission.

Commissioner of the ACNC, Susan Pascoe said the majority of the charities were required to submit their 2015 Annual Information Statement by 31 January this year.

“Submitting an Annual Information Statement to the ACNC each year is a legislative requirement for registered charities,” Ms Pascoe said.

“This group has failed to meet that obligation.”

She said all charities that were more than six months overdue with their reporting would receive a red mark on their Charity Register listing.

Ms Pascoe said that while the submission date remained on the Charity Register, the red mark could be removed.

“Once the charity submits its overdue 2015 Annual Information Statement, the red mark will disappear,” Ms Pascoe said.

“We have published a list of charities that have recently received a red mark to encourage them to act fast and submit their outstanding Annual Information Statement.”

She urged them to join the 42,700 registered charities that had submitted their statements.

Ms Pascoe said that the ACNC would continue to take steps to improve compliance with reporting requirements in the interest of public trust and confidence.

This article was originally sourced from PS News.