Gift Aid

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GivingGift Aid: Why Should We Give To Charity Through Gift Aid?

 

 

Gift Aid increases the value of your donations to St. Mary’s Cathedral by allowing the Cathedral to reclaim basic rate tax on your gift. St. Mary’s Cathedral can do this because it is a registered UK charity.
Please complete the Gift Aid form below and start giving through Gift Aid.



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Gift Aid Declaration Form

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Click/touch each question to see the answer.

 How much can the Cathedral claim back from the Inland Revenue (IR)?

The current basic rate of Income tax is 25 pence in the pound. If you donate £100 of your taxed income to the Cathedral then the Cathedral can reclaim the £25 tax that you have already paid.

 How does the Inland Revenue know how much tax to return to the Cathedral?

At the end of every financial year (5th April) the Cathedral Gift Aid Officer (GAO) submits a list to the Inland Revenue stating the name of all those parishioners who have signed Gift Aid forms. Against each name he states how much the Cathedral has received from the parishioner. Based on this list the Inland Revenue returns the tax paid to the Cathedral.

 How does the Gift Aid Officer know how much each parishioner has given to the Cathedral?

The Gift Aid Officer has confidential access to the Cathedral bank statements. From these he can record all the Standing Orders and cheques given to the Cathedral over the year, add them up and submit the totals to the Inland Revenue.

 What if I give my donation in a Gift Aid Envelope?

Again the Gift Aid Officer has confidential access to the Cathedral collection counters record book. In the book are recorded the envelope number and the donation given. Having a list of parishioners’ names and envelope numbers, the GAO is again able to submit a total to the Inland Revenue.

 What if I give my donation as cash in the Collection plate?

As this donation cannot be traced to an individual person it cannot be counted in the donations submitted to the Inland Revenue for a tax refund.

 Does the Inland Revenue check the validity of the information submitted by the GAO?

The Inland Revenue has the right to audit the list submitted by the GAO. The Inland Revenue has not taken up this option to date.

 How does the GAO know that I pay enough tax for the IR to refund?

He doesn’t. It is your responsibility to ensure that you pay enough tax to cover the refund due on your donations.

 How does the Inland Revenue know that I gift Aid my donations to the Cathedral?

A copy of your signed Gift Aid form is retained by the GAO and can be provided to the I Inland Revenue if they request it

If you complete an annual tax return (not everyone has to) there is a section on Gift Aid that you must complete. In this section you must state how much you donated in the last year.

 How do I know how much I donated to the Cathedral in the last year?

At the end of the tax year, normally in May, the GAO issues to every Gift Aider a letter which states the value of the donations recorded against their name in the Cathedral records.

 If I pay higher rate tax (40 pence in the pound) can the Cathedral claim back the higher rate tax?

No.

 If I pay higher rate tax (40 pence in the pound) can I claim back the higher rate tax?

You can claim back for yourself the difference between the basic tax rate of 25% and the higher tax rate of 40%. This comes to 25%. For example, if you donate £1000 after tax to the Cathedral they can claim back the basic rate tax (£250) and you can claim back the difference between the basic and the higher rate tax (£250).

 How do I claim back the higher rate tax?

You have to complete the relevant section on your tax return.

 Still confused?

Please contact the Gift Aid Coordinator for the Cathedral:
Telephone - 01224 640160
Email - giftaid@cathedral-abdn.org

For more information, visit the Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) website or contact HMRC Charities Helpline on 0845 302 0203 between 8.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Regular Charitable Giving

If you would like to give on a regular basis you can download a Standing Order Mandate here, either for the Cathedral or the Cathedral Renovation Fund.

  Standing Order Mandate: Cathedral
  Standing Order Mandate: Cathedral Renovation Fund