GIFT AID

This section offers resources to help you run an effective Gift Aid programme in your parish. Churches are charities, and can recover the basic-rate tax paid on donations made by donors who are UK taxpayers.  The system is easy to set up and operate and one declaration can apply to all donations that a donor makes, and this can even be backdated for four years.

Getting Started :

- Sample job description for a Gift Aid Officer
- Overview of starting up a Gift Aid scheme
- Registering to start recovering tax
- Gift Aid Declarations
- Using Gift Aid envelopes

Data Developments have produced some free Gift Aid checklists. You may find these a helpful way of assessing your Gift Aid processes.   

Keeping records :

Advice on keeping records : records for standing orders and envelopes, records for single donations
Reclaiming tax : help on making a claim. Keeping records of the claim.

Encouraging Tax Efficient Giving :

Other forms of tax-efficient giving : Higher rate tax payers, giving through the tax return, gifts of shares, corporate giving, payroll giving.

Thanks go to the Diocese of Liverpool for many of the materials used in this section, which can also be found on the on-line Stewardship Site, Giving In Grace.

GIFT AID
Gift Aid is a vital source of income to parishes, with nearly £80 million claimed by parishes each year. 
 
APRIL 2008 CHANGES
The Chancellor announced additional help for Gift Aid for the three tax years following April 6th 2008. This maintains Gift Aid at the previous level for three years. To access guidance on how to claim this relief, and other simplifications in the budget, click here.