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Gift Aid

A Guide to Gift Aid

Age UK Lancashire claimed over (insert amount) in Gift Aid in the 2022/23 tax year, without any further cost to our generous donors. This extra funding is vital in helping us to support older people in Lancashire.

What is Gift Aid?

The Gift Aid scheme allows charities and community amateur sports clubs to reclaim tax on donations made by UK taxpayers from HM Revenue and Customs. This means that for every £1 you donate to us we will receive £1.25 in total, without costing you any extra.

How do I sign up to Gift Aid?

Sign up for Gift Aid at one of our charity shops, If you are donating goods, our staff will help you to complete a Gift Aid declaration in store.

How does it work?

You need to complete a Gift Aid declaration form. We can then claim Gift Aid on all your donations in the last four years and all future donations.

This form confirms that you're a UK taxpayer and that your charitable donations to us do not exceed the amount of tax you've paid during the tax year. If you pay less income tax and/or capital gains tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year, it's your responsibility to pay any difference.

Keep your records up to date

It's important that you let us know if you stop paying tax or if you change your name or address, so that we can update our records. If you need to notify us of any such changes, please get in touch:

Telephone: 0300 303 1234

Email: advice@ageuklancs.org.uk

Am I eligible for Gift Aid?

You're eligible if:

  • you're a UK taxpayer
  • the tax you pay that year is at least equal to your donations to charity.

I'm retired

You can Gift Aid donations if you pay income tax or capital gains tax, as long as you've paid enough tax during the year to cover the amount we are reclaiming on your donations.

I'm a higher rate taxpayer

If you pay a higher rate of tax (40% or above), you can claim the difference between the higher and basic rate on the total value of your donation.

To receive the additional tax relief you must:

  • Include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return
  • Ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code

Is my donation eligible?

Gift Aid can be claimed on donated items and money provided they are gifts. As a UK taxpayer, you can claim as an individual on:

  • one-off or monthly cash donations
  • goods donated to our charity shops
  • personal donations made in celebration or memory
  • donations to sponsored events.

Certain donations are not eligible:

  • fundraising events that require purchasing tickets (e.g. prize draws, raffles, tombolas)
  • items bought in our charity shops
  • proceeds from group collections
  • donations made by companies

If you live on your pension alone and don't pay tax, you will not be eligible.

Donating goods

If you're donating goods to us and wish to add Gift Aid, you'll need to visit one of our shops to complete a declaration form. This will confirm that:

  • You wish Age UK Lancashire Shops to act as your agent in selling the goods and agree to a commission of 1% for this service. Any items not sold will be disposed of and cannot be returned. At the same time you agree to us keeping the net proceeds of the sale of the goods.
  • You're a UK tax payer and you wish Age UK Lancashire to reclaim the tax on all donations you have made in the last four years and any future donations you may make.
  • You're not acting as a business in selling your goods.

You'll receive a letter or email advising you of your unique donor number.

When your items are sold, we'll let you know how much you've raised and confirm that you're happy for us to treat the money as a Gift Aid donation.

Find your local Age UK Lancashire charity shop here.

Need more help or support?

If you have any questions, or if your circumstances change, please get in touch:

  • Telephone: 0300 303 1234
  • Email: advice@ageuklancs.org.uk