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What is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid allows charities to reclaim tax paid on donations from individuals. At the present rate of tax, a £10 donation is increased by £2.82. All that is required is for an individual to be a UK taxpayer and to have paid at least as much tax as the charity claims on their gifts in a year. Try this calculator to show how much extra we can reclaim on your gift.

How can I Gift Aid my donation?

Click here to print out Gift Aid declaration form - This will authorise us to reclaim tax on your gifts to Christ Church. This only has to be done once. Return the completed form  to Stephen Grosvenor Gift aid Secretary at the address on the form.

Who can use Gift Aid?

Anyone who has paid enough income tax or capital gains tax in the current financial year to cover the amount we have reclaimed. So, if you give £100 you need to have paid at least £28 in income tax or capital gains tax. If you are a higher rate taxpayer, you can claim a personal benefit - currently worth 23 pence for every £1 donated. See the gift aid calculator

How does it work?

Complete the simple declaration, giving your address details and sign an acknowledgement that you are aware of the requirement to have paid enough tax. Return the completed form to Stephen Grosvenor – Gift Aid Secretary. Decide which option you wish to use to give.

 How can I give to Christ Church?

Christ church operates a Standing order scheme for regular giving and a white envelope scheme for occasional giving.

What’s happened to the old Orange envelopes? Can I use the White envelopes instead?

The white envelopes are intended for occasional givers or visitors to the church. Since they have a mini declaration form on them, we can use them (if they are fully completed) to reclaim the tax on a One-off gift. The Orange envelopes were more difficult and time-consuming to administer and were proving costly to buy as we only had 20 givers left on this scheme. Since we have to buy them in minimum batches we have decided to save money this year by discontinuing them. We do welcome your gifts, however they come and if you are unwilling or unable to commit to a regular standing order, then of course you can use the white envelopes for your giving.

Standing Orders are simple to set up, the form gives full details of Christ Church’s bank account details, all you have to do is complete yours and send it directly to your bank or building society. Click here for a standing order form

What if I give by Standing Order but wish to put some money in one of the collections?

Christ Church no longer passes a collection plate during the service. We have an offertory plate at the back of the church which is brought up at the beginning of the service for a blessing to symbolise the many generous gifts made to the church throughout the weeks and months. White envelopes can be placed in this.

What happens if I stop paying Tax?

All you have to do is notify Stephen Grosvenor, the Gift Aid secretary, as soon as you know and he will stop claiming tax on your gifts.

Why can’t I just give cash in the plate?

All gifts are gratefully received however they are made, but please remember, a little time spent on the declaration forms enhances the value of your gift by nearly a third again. £10 becomes £12.82. That goes a long way to keeping inflation and our rising costs at bay.

All these forms are very complicated – can I get some help or advice on filling them in or on Gift aid in general?

If you have any questions or doubts about giving via gift aid then please don’t hesitate to contact Stephen Grosvenor, the Gift Aid secretary for Christ church with St Mary Swindon.

Finally a fact to stop you in your tracks!

If every donor were to give their donations tax-effectively, charities could claim an estimated additional £900 million pounds from the Inland Revenue each year.