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Fax: 0113 388 5401
Email: info@catholic-care.org.uk
Gift Aid - Frequently Asked Questions
How much Gift Aid will my donation generate?
Using Gift Aid means that for every pound you give, we get an extra 28 pence from HM Revenue & Customs, helping your donation to go further.
All you need to do is complete our online Gift Aid declaration form or send in our downloadable Gift Aid declaration form
How does Gift Aid work?
Gift Aid is one of the easiest ways to make your donation tax effective. The charity you are supporting reclaims the basic rate tax from HM Revenue & Customs. There is no extra cost to you and the process is simple - all you have to do is make a Gift Aid declaration.
What does the Gift Aid declaration commit me to?
Absolutely nothing! It just ensures that if you choose to donate to Catholic Care, we can claim an extra 28 per cent back from HM Revenue & Customs.
What is a Gift Aid declaration?
It is simply a statement by an individual taxpayer that they want a charity to get back from HM Revenue & Customs the tax paid on their donation. This is a great way to add 28 per cent to the value of your gift to Catholic Care without it costing you a penny more!
Gift Aid - do I qualify?
For every £1 you donate to Catholic Care in a financial year, you must have paid 28p in income or capital gains tax in the same financial year to qualify for Gift Aid.
How do I know if I pay UK income or capital gains tax?
You pay these taxes if:
- income tax is taken from your wages or salary before you receive your pay
- you pay tax after filling in a self-assessment form each year
- you have any taxable savings (in a Building Society, for instance), or a pension plan, or investment income
- you have paid any capital gains tax, on the sale of a property or some shares, for instance
If any of these applies to you, please complete and return your declaration so Catholic Care can reclaim the tax on your donations. NB Inheritance tax does not count as UK income or capital gains tax
What if I don't pay UK tax?
Then, unfortunately, you are not able to make a Gift Aid declaration. If you want us to make a note of this on your records, please let us know by contacting us in one of the following ways:
Write to:
Catholic Care
11 North Grange Road
Headingley
Leeds
LS6 2BR
Telephone:
0113 3885 400
Email:
karen.byram@catholic-care.org.uk
What if I'm a pensioner?
You may still pay tax on a private pension plan or a savings account, or pay capital gains tax if you sell property or shares. If so, please tick the Gift Aid declaration.
What if I'm a higher rate taxpayer?
Catholic Care can only directly claim back at the basic rate but please complete and return the declaration anyway.
Example:
If you gift £10 to charity you effectively make a gross gift of £12.50 (£10 given plus the tax already paid and claimed by the charity).
But, if you pay tax at the higher rate (40%) you can also claim the difference between the tax at higher rate and basic rate on your gross gift.
ie (40% - 20%) = 20% x £12.50 = £2.50
What if I make my donations via CAF (Charities Aid Foundation)?
If you normally make donations via CAF, tax has already been reclaimed. However, please fill in the declaration anyway so that any separate donations you might make are tax effective as well.
What if I buy Christmas Cards?
Purchases such as Christmas Cards are not treated by the Inland Revenue as donations and so the Gift Aid declaration does not apply to them. However, please fill in the declaration to cover any additional donations you can make on the Christmas Card Order.
Can Gift Aid be applied to events sponsorship?
Yes, in most cases - please see sponsorship forms for more details. If you are being sponsored or sponsoring someone else, for example someone taking part in an abseil or running the London Marathon for Catholic Care, please Gift Aid eligible contributions. Remember each sponsor needs to include their home address and postcode to enable Catholic Care to reclaim the tax.
How long does the declaration last for?
To simplify matters for both you and Catholic Care, the declaration wording normally covers present, future and past donations. We are able to claim on any gifts made since the Gift Aid scheme was revised on 6 April 2000, as long as you are eligible.
Who will have access to this information about me?
Only Catholic Care and HM Revenue & Customs. We will not share it with anyone else.
What should I do if my tax status changes or I want to cancel my declaration?
Please let us know by contacting us in one of the following ways:
Write to:
Catholic Care
11 North Grange Road
Headingley
Leeds
LS6 2BR
Telephone:
0113 3885 400
Catholic Care acts to support those in need of its services, especiallly the weak and the vunerable and it acts as an advocate for those unable to represent themselves
The primary purpose of the agency is to foster and influence a vision of how people can live together in Christian charity, love and justice, by taking the "Caring Church into the Community
