WHAT IS GIFT AID?

Gift Aid is a Government scheme to assist charities to reclaim the tax that you have paid on your donation. It works like this. If you are a taxpayer and give £10 to your charity you will have paid tax on that amount. Your charity can get £2.80 back with Gift Aid so your donation of £10 would become worth £12.80 and it wouldn't cost you an extra penny!


Gift Aid helps the church
Did you know that you could help the church financially if you pay any form of Income Tax? For every £1 you donate the church will receive an extra 28p tax refund- at no extra cost to you! It means that if you are a taxpayer, the Church can reclaim tax on all your donations, increasing income by almost a third again on top of what you give. It can cover all giving, whether by weekly or monthly offertory, irregular donations, or single one-off donations. Your tax is repaid to The UCKG at the basic rate equivalent. 

So if you give £2 per week, that’s £104 in a year coming from your taxed income. If you pay tax at the basic rate of 22%, you have already paid £29.33 in tax on that £104. The Church will get that back from the Government. 

Or for a single donation of £50, which comes from your taxed income, the Church can reclaim the £14.10 of tax you have paid on it.
It applies to income tax or capital gains tax, at whatever rate you pay, as long as you have paid sufficient tax for a reclaim to be made. If you pay tax at the higher rate you will receive additional relief.
Here are some examples of how the church can benefit from UK Taxpayers in a space of just one year.

How do I sign up for Gift Aid?
All you have to do is fill in a Gift Aid form that requires you to:
- Give your name, your address, the date and the name of your church.
- Sign a declaration saying that you are a UK taxpayer and that you pay more tax than the amount that your church will reclaim.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I'm a Taxpayer?
You are a UK tax payer if:
1. Tax is taken from your wages or salary before you receive your pay.
2. You have to fill in a self-assessment form each year.
3. You have any taxable savings (in a Building Society, for instance), or a pension plan, or investment income.
4. If you have recently paid any capital gains tax, or expect to pay it in the near future. This could be on the sale of a property or some shares,  

What if I don't pay UK tax?
The Gift Aid scheme is unique to the UK. If you are not a UK taxpayer, you can still make a donation, but your donation will not attract Gift Aid. However Please let us know if your tax status changes.

Why does it work out 28p for every pound given?
The payment for £1 is treated as the net after tax from £1.28 (£1.28 minus 22 per cent is approximately £1). The UCKG Helpcentre gets back the 28pence.

What does the Gift Aid declaration commend me to?
Absolutely nothing! It just ensures that if you choose to donate to The UCKG Helpcentre, we can claim an extra 28 per cent back from the Inland Revenue.

Who will have access to this information about me?
Only The UCKG Helpcentre and the Inland Revenue have this information and therefore all information will be kept confidential.

How long will I be a gift aid donor for?
The Gift Aid declaration will last indefinitely, unless you decide to cancel it.

What should I do if my tax status changes or I want to cancel my declaration?
Should your circumstances change or you no longer wish to subscribe to the scheme, then you can cancel your declaration either by phone or in writing.