Expert Gift Aid for Charities UK

Helping charities maximise donations through accurate Gift Aid claims. We help you understand Gift Aid rules, comply with HMRC requirements, and claim every pound you're entitled to.

25%

Extra on Donations

4-6 Weeks

Claim Processing

HMRC

Compliant Claims

Maximise Your Income

Why Gift Aid Is So Important for Charities

Gift Aid allows charities to increase the value of individual donations at no extra cost to the donor — yet millions of pounds go unclaimed each year.

Increase Donation Income by 25%

For every £1 donated, charities can claim an additional 25p from HMRC. This effectively increases every donation without costing the donor a penny more.

Improve Cash Flow

Regular Gift Aid claims provide a predictable income stream that helps with financial planning and cash flow management throughout the year.

Demonstrate Good Governance

Proper Gift Aid management shows trustees and stakeholders that your charity has strong financial controls and is maximising every funding opportunity.

Maximise Donor Generosity

Knowing their donation will go further encourages donors to give more generously, knowing your charity can reclaim the tax relief they're entitled to.

Understanding Gift Aid

What Is Gift Aid and How Is It Calculated?

Gift Aid is a tax relief that allows charities to reclaim the basic rate of tax already paid by individual donors on their donations.

How Gift Aid Works

1

Donations are treated as made after tax

Under HMRC rules, donations are considered to have been made after deducting basic rate tax.

2

Charities reclaim 25p per £1

This represents the basic rate of income tax (currently 20%), which when added to the donation equals 25%.

3

Donor must pay UK tax

Only donations from individuals who have paid enough UK income or capital gains tax qualify.

Example Calculation

If a donor gives £100 to your charity, you can claim an additional £25 from HMRC — turning the donation into £125 at no extra cost to the donor.

HMRC Requirements

Important Gift Aid Rules to Know

Understanding and applying these rules correctly is essential to avoid HMRC penalties or repayment demands.

A Donation Qualifies for Gift Aid If:

  • The donation is made by an individual (not a company or trust)
  • The individual has paid enough UK income or capital gains tax
  • You hold a valid Gift Aid declaration from the donor

Gift Aid Cannot Be Claimed On:

  • Company or trust donations
  • Donations exceeding the tax paid by the donor
  • Donations without a valid declaration

Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS)

Small cash donations may still qualify under GASDS even without a declaration. However, claims must be made within 2 years of the end of the relevant tax year. Speak to us about whether your charity qualifies.

Step by Step Guide

How to Claim Gift Aid

The process is straightforward when done correctly. Here's how to maximise your claims.

1

Register Your Charity for Gift Aid

Register your charity with HMRC for Gift Aid (separate from Charity Commission registration). HMRC will require your governing document, charity bank statement, and trustee details. Once approved, you'll receive a Charity Repayment Reference number.

Typical processing time: 6-8 weeks

2

Keep Proper Gift Aid Records

Maintain accurate records of all eligible donations including: donor name, home postcode, donation amount, date of donation, and valid Gift Aid declaration. Smaller charities often use HMRC's spreadsheet templates, while larger charities benefit from accounting software.

3

Submit Your Gift Aid Claim

Once records are complete, submit your claim online through your HMRC charity account. Gift Aid repayments are usually received within 4-6 weeks of submission.

Important Deadlines

You must claim within 4 years of the end of the accounting period in which the donation was received. Claims under the Small Donations Scheme must be made within 2 years. Missing deadlines means permanently losing the Gift Aid.

Avoid These Pitfalls

Common Gift Aid Mistakes Charities Make

Many charities lose money due to avoidable errors. Make sure your charity avoids these common pitfalls.

Missing or Invalid Declarations

Without a valid Gift Aid declaration, you cannot claim. Declarations must be complete, signed, and retained for the required period.

Poor Record Keeping

Incomplete donor records or missing postcodes can invalidate claims. HMRC requires specific information for each donation.

Claiming on Ineligible Donations

Attempting to claim on company donations or donations where the donor hasn't paid enough tax will result in rejections or clawbacks.

Missing Deadlines

Failing to submit claims within the 4-year window means permanently losing the Gift Aid — even if the donation was eligible.

Our Services

How We Can Help with Gift Aid

Our specialist Gift Aid service is designed to remove the burden from trustees and ensure full compliance.

Register Your Charity for Gift Aid

We handle the HMRC registration process for you, ensuring all required documents are in order for a smooth approval.

Review and Correct Declarations

We review your existing Gift Aid declarations to ensure they're valid and compliant with current HMRC requirements.

Prepare and Submit Claims

We prepare your Gift Aid claims accurately and submit them to HMRC on time, ensuring you receive every pound you're entitled to.

Ensure Record Compliance

We ensure your records meet all HMRC requirements, so you're always ready for any compliance checks.

Support Small Donations Scheme

We advise on and support claims under the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) for eligible donations.

Advise on Complex Rules

We provide expert advice on complex Gift Aid rules, including混杂 donations, sponsorship, and membership issues.

Need Answers?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Gift Aid for charities.

Maximise Your Charity's Income with Gift Aid

Gift Aid can significantly increase your charity's income, but only when handled properly. With ever-increasing HMRC scrutiny, professional support can protect your charity and your trustees.

ACCA Qualified

Charity Specialists

Fast Claims

HMRC Compliant