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Gift Aid FAQs
11 December 2012
If you would like to speak to someone about Gift Aid then please call membership services on 01767 693680.
Am I eligible to make a Gift Aid declaration?
To qualify for Gift Aid, you must pay an amount of UK Income and/or Capital Gains Tax, which is at least equal to the amount that we and all other charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC’s) will reclaim on your donations in each tax year (6 April to 5 April). Gift Aid is claimed at 25p per £1 of your support. NB Taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify for Gift Aid.
How will I know if I pay income tax?
Look at papers relating to the monies paid to you. Savings/bank accounts usually deduct tax at the 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 form each year. Keep this safe, as 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.
If you have joint or family RSPB 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.e. the payment is from the ‘Gift Aider’).
Can I still help if I’m not a UK taxpayer?
Yes. By ticking the non-taxpayer box, you can help us keep our records up to date.
Will Gift Aid cost me anything?
Gift Aid doesn’t cost you a penny, ticking the box just means that we can reclaim the tax on your membership subscriptions and donations, if you are a UK taxpayer, directly from HMRC.
I may have already made a Gift Aid declaration to another charity. Does this mean I can’t tick the box again, or don’t need to?
No. Ticking one box means that only that one particular charity can reclaim the tax on your donations, so it’s important to tick a box for each charity that you want to claim Gift Aid. However, the Income and/or Capital Gains tax you pay must at least equal the total amount of Gift Aid that all your chosen charities will claim on your donations or memberships in that tax year (6 April to 5 April). Gift Aid is claimed at 25 pence on every pound of your support.
Is it worthwhile as I only give the minimal subscription?
Every penny counts. We can reclaim 25 pence in every pound. For example a year’s membership of £50 would equate to £12.50 Gift Aid per year. We have over a million members, so if everyone ticked the Gift Aid box we could claim a substantial amount to help us.
I’ve already made a Gift Aid declaration to the RSPB. Do I need to tick the box again?
Not unless we ask you. All your donations and subscriptions are covered with one declaration.
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, which would be our preference, so there is no need to have separate covenants for your membership and/or donations.
Should I indicate that I have made a Gift Aid declaration on my tax return?
Not if you are a standard rate taxpayer and do not receive a tax return from HM Revenue & Customs. However, if you do receive a tax return, you must declare the information.
If I have a Gift Aid declaration, what should I do if my tax situation changes and I no longer pay UK Income or Capital Gains tax?
If you no longer pay sufficient UK Income or Capital Gains tax, please inform us (01767 693680) and we will stop claiming Gift Aid on your membership and/or donations.
I am a self assessment tax payer and I pay tax at the higher rate of 40 per cent, how can I give part or all of my tax repayment to the RSPB?
From 5 April 2011 you can no longer donate your tax repayment directly to the RSPB using your tax return. However you can still donate your tax refund in the normal way when you make a donation. In this way, if you have signed up to gift aid, the RSPB will be able to recover the basic rate of tax on this donation too.