Gift Aid explained

What is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid is a UK government initiative and is a simple way to increase your gift to Facial Palsy UK – at no extra cost to you. If you pay tax in the UK, we can reclaim the basic rate of tax (25%) on your gift if you choose to Gift Aid it. So, for every pound donated, we can claim an extra 25 pence.

Do I qualify for Gift Aid?

In order for Facial Palsy UK to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your donation, you must:

• Be a UK tax payer
• Pay enough tax

You must pay Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax at a rate at least equal to the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations during the tax year (6 April to 5 April). Otherwise it is your responsibility to pay the difference.

Does my donation qualify for Gift Aid?

Gift Aid can be claimed on both individual and sponsorship donations provided they are gifts.

Not all donations are eligible for Gift Aid though, here are some examples where Gift Aid does not apply:

• If you are charged an entry fee, e.g. a ticket for an event.
• You have bought something and are getting some thing in return for your money.
• You have entered a raffle or sweepstake.
• Your donation is on behalf of someone else or a group of people.

We can send you official Facial Palsy UK sponsorship forms. You must have the first name or initials, last name, full home address and postcode of each individual sponsor. Please encourage sponsors to tick the Gift Aid box on the form, without this we cannot claim Gift Aid. Thank you.

How do I sign up to Gift Aid?

 Here are your options:

• You can complete a Gift Aid declaration form with us which we will hold on file.
• If you are donating online via our website or through JustGiving there will be a box to tick to indicate that you would like us to reclaim Gift Aid.
• If you are placing a shop order and want to make an additional gift, there is an option to add Gift Aid to the donation element of your purchase.

Click here to sign up for Gift Aid via our online form

What if I pay tax at the higher rate?

If you pay tax at 40% or above, you can claim the difference between the higher and basic rate on the total value of your donation. In order to receive the additional tax relief remember to:

• Include all your Gift Aided donations on your self-assessment tax return.
• Speak to HM Revenue and Customs about adjusting your tax code.

What if I am a pensioner?

You could still be paying tax on a private pension plan or a savings account, or pay capital gains tax if selling either a property or shares. You are still eligible if you have paid enough tax during the year to cover your donations (i.e. 25% of the value of your gifts).

I’m not a taxpayer but my partner is, and our donations are made jointly. Will our gifts still be eligible?

Yes, your gifts are still eligible for Gift Aid, but we need your personal details separately for our records. Importantly, if you are giving jointly, the person or persons who complete a Gift Aid declaration must be named on the account from which the donation is made.

What if I have signed a Gift Aid declaration with another charity?

You can support as many UK charities as you like through Gift Aid. All you need to do is return a gift aid declaration to each charity that you support and ensure that you are paying enough tax during the year to cover your total annual donations.

Do I have to make a declaration with every donation?

If you are making a one-off donation via our website, then you will be asked about gift aid each time you do so and can opt-in or out. If you are making a regular donation via our website, you will only be asked the first time you set up your regular gift and your declaration will cover the life of these regular gifts.

If you make donations in a different way, e.g. direct payment to our bank or send us a cheque, then you would need to complete a new gift aid declaration. We have a form available on our website where you can submit your declaration or if you prefer we can post you a form to complete and return to us. When you provide a Gift Aid declaration via our online form it will cover all of the eligible donations you have given up until 4 years previous (in tax year, 6 April – 5 April) and on any donation you may make in the future, so only one declaration is required.

Why do I need to make a declaration?

The declaration gives Facial Palsy UK the authority to reclaim tax from HM Revenue & Customs on your gift. By making the declaration you are confirming that you understand this.

What do I do if my tax status changes or I want to cancel my declaration?

It’s important to tell us if you change your name, move house or no longer qualify for Gift Aid because your tax status has changed.

To discuss your gift aid declaration with us, please email fundraising@facialpalsy.org.uk or call us on 0300 030 9333 (leave a message and we will call you back). Alternatively you can write to us at:

Facial Palsy UK
Eventus
Sunderland Road
Market Deeping
Peterborough
PE6 8FD

Please include your full name and address on any correspondence.