Gift Aid > Other Tax-Efficient Giving > Giving through the Tax Return

Giving through the Tax Return

In 2003, an additional way for some people to give to charity was announced, taking effect from April 2004. In the UK, 3 million people have to complete a Self Assessment (SA) tax return. From April 2004, those who are due a repayment of tax from the Inland Revenue can choose to nominate a charity to receive the money, via their SA return, instead of receiving it themselves. In addition to this, they can choose to Gift Aid the repayment via an option their SA return. If wished, the donor can do this anonymously.

The charity will receive the money directly into their bank account. If the donor has chosen to Gift Aid the repayment, the tax will also be paid over automatically into the charity’s bank account.

The Inland Revenue will publish a list of participating charities from which donors can choose. To be included on the list, each parish would need to complete a form with the required details, including bank account information.

The Published list will display your parish name, an alternative name for your parish/charity if it is known to donors by another name and possibly an address which you supply. Your parish will be allocated a code (not the Inland Revenue reference number) which will be used by the Inland Revenue and donors.

The original deadline for guaranteed inclusion in the list for the 2003/2004 SA returns was 30 September 2003.  Parishes on the Diocesan Scheme will have received forms from Church House. Other parishes should have heard directly from the Inland Revenue. If your parish has missed the deadline, the Inland Revenue will accept applications at any time, and your parish would be included on the next published list, usually reviewed annually.