GIFT AID FAQS

Gift Aid is a way for charities to receive extra money from the government. If you're a taxpayer in the UK, Gift Aid allows us to claim back 25p for every £1 you donate, at no extra cost to you!

You Donate: You donate to a charity, like Claire House, and you decide to Gift Aid it.

Charity Claims Back 25%: We can claim an extra 25% from the government on top of your donation. So, if you donate £10, we can get an extra £2.50 from the government, making your donation worth £12.50.

No Extra Cost to You: The extra money doesn’t come from you. It’s the government that adds the extra 25% to your donation, but only if you’re eligible.

To claim Gift Aid, you must pay UK tax. This means:

You’ve paid income tax or capital gains tax on your earnings, pension, or savings.

The amount of tax you pay must be at least as much as the Gift Aid claimed on your donations in that year. For example, if you donate £100, you need to have paid at least £25 in tax that year.

You are eligible for Gift Aid if:

• You are a UK taxpayer.
• You pay enough tax on your income or pension (it doesn’t matter if it’s a small amount, as long as it’s enough).

You don’t have to be employed - if you’re retired and getting a pension, that counts if you pay tax on it.

Yes, you can! As long as you pay enough income tax or capital gains tax to cover the amount we claim (25p for every £1 you donate), you're still eligible. This tax might come from your pension, savings, or investments – not just employment.

If you’re unsure whether you pay enough tax, it’s okay! Most people who are retired and receive a pension or have savings that earn interest will likely pay some form of tax, which means you can still Gift Aid your donations.

If you're still unsure, feel free to ask the charity for advice or speak to your tax advisor. They can help you figure out whether Gift Aid applies to you.

Just tell us! When you donate, let us know you'd like to Gift Aid it. We’ll ask you to fill out a simple Gift Aid declaration form.

For smaller donations or when donating through things like collection boxes, you can still Gift Aid if you’ve already signed up.

Once you've filled out the declaration, you don’t need to do it again unless your situation changes.

Yes, you can Gift Aid all your donations to a charity for as long as you continue to meet the tax requirements. So, if you give money to the same charity multiple times, the charity can claim Gift Aid on each donation.

Gift Aid is a boost to charities, allowing them to get more funding without you having to donate more. So, your £10 donation becomes worth £12.50, and it really makes a difference!