Gift Aid FAQs

Am I eligible to make a Gift Aid declaration?

To qualify for Gift Aid, you must pay an amount of UK tax (income tax and/or capital gains tax), which is equal to, or more than, the amount we will reclaim in the tax year.

How will I know if I pay income tax?

Look at papers relating to the monies paid to you. Savings/bank accounts normally deduct tax at source so a bank statement will normally show if tax has been deducted. Individual share dividend certificates also show where tax has been deducted.

How will I know if I pay income tax on my pension?

As a pensioner you will receive a P60 each year, keep this safe, it will show any tax deductions.

Do I pay capital gains tax?

You are usually aware if you pay capital gains tax, as you would have had to declare it. This would have been declared by yourself or by your accountant/financial advisor.

I don’t pay tax but my partner does. Can I still give Gift Aid?

If you have joint or family membership and your partner pays tax then he/she can tick the Gift Aid box provided that the membership is paid either from your partner’s account or from a jointly held or named account.

I'm not a UK taxpayer. Can I still help?

Yes, by ticking the non-taxpayer box on the declaration. This will help our records.

I've already made a Gift Aid declaration to the RSPB. Do I have to fill in one every year?

No. You only ever need to fill in one form: all your donations and / or membership subscriptions are covered under one declaration. You can cancel your declaration at any time by contacting our Membership Services Department (for example, if you cease to become a tax payer).

Does Gift Aid affect any of the covenants (pledges) I have signed for in favour of the RSPB so far?

A Gift Aid declaration can replace any existing covenants you have, so there is no need to have separate covenants for your membership and or donations.

Do I have to indicate that I have made a Gift Aid declaration on a tax return?

Not if you are a standard rate tax payer and do not receive a tax return from HM Revenue & Customs. However, if you do receive a tax return, you must declare the information.

I am a self assessment tax payer and I pay tax at the higher rate of 40%, how can I give part or all of my tax repayment to the RSPB?

To do this you simply need to add the below RSPB repayment code to your tax return. HM Revenue & Customs will then pay your refund direct to the RSPB. The RSPB repayment code is MAE76CG. Gift aid can be claimed on this donation.

More information can be found by clicking here http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/index.htm.

Last modified: 29 January 2007

Gift Aid