Guidance

Community interest companies: leaflets

An overview of what community interest companies (CICs) are, how they are set up and how they work.

Documents

Benefits of a CIC

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Information Pack

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Frequently asked questions

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Frequently asked questions for funding organisations

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Details

The ‘information pack’ is an abbreviated version of the ‘Community interest companies: how to form a CIC’ guidance. It includes information on:

  • the community interest test
  • the asset lock
  • the dividend cap
  • redemption and repurchase of shares and reduction of capital
  • charities converting to CIC status or vice versa
  • converting an industrial and provident society (IPS) to a CIC
  • tax considerations
  • sources of finance
  • charges on assets
  • lenders to the third sector
  • forming a new CIC
  • converting an existing company to a CIC
  • CIC fees
  • the annual CIC report
Published 2 August 2013
Last updated 31 March 2017 + show all updates
  1. All leaflets were updated to show the new parent department name and logo, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

  2. Updated office address on all publications

  3. First published.