Gift Aid Lite

Key contact: Susan Warren, Gift Aid Advisor

Gift Aid Lite exists to assist churches in Manchester Diocese with the administration and accuracy of their Gift Aid schemes.

The 2004/05 Self Audit clearly identified 26% of our churches were 'at risk' of having to repay HMRC through inadequate administration of their schemes - it can take only a small change in detail to cause problems. Of those, only 4% were churches using Gift Aid Lite. The benefits are therefore clear to see. Many churches would benefit from the assistance and re-assurance that this scheme provides. 

We cannot prevent many of the recording chores, but our quarterly claims service does help churches to keep on top of the task, and assists with cash flow. We can eliminate many errors before they reach HMRC.

Problems can often be spotted within the office and, importantly, there is continuity through any change of Gift Aid Secretary. Declarations are kept securely within the office and a secure backup of all computer/claim information is kept. Information required for the completion of annual acknowledgement letters is also provided.

Joining Gift Aid Lite


Churches can join the scheme at any time. We usually visit a parish before it joins to check the accuracy of recording systems and provide training.

Application for to join Gift Aid Lite
Gift Aid Lite guide for parishes

Benefits of the scheme

  • The 'Gift Aid Lite' scheme provides a free quarterly service to churches that either pay their Parish Share in full by standing order, or to those giving us the authority to transfer any tax recovered on Gift Aid directly to their Parish Share account. Parishes will be advised of the amount credited if the latter option is taken.
  • It is essential that adequate records are maintained in the church, i.e. all giving is accurately documented and a thorough Audit trail for Gift Aid donations available.
  • Gift Aid declarations are still made out in favour of the appropriate church and the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) is given written authority to execute and sign claims. New declarations and one-off envelopes should be sent in to the office as soon as possible after completion; it is good policy to take a copy of these before posting. Gift Aid Declarations and some stationery can be provided free of charge and can be downloaded frmo this website.
  • Support and guidance is available. A regular programme of internal audits is carried out to identify any possible problems. Assistance can be given in the setting up of a new scheme.
  • Transferring your existing records to the DBF scheme is easy and just requires written authority from the PCC. We may be able to handle back-dated claims on behalf of the parish following an initial inspection of parish records.
  • The administration is computerised and our systems backed up daily to avoid potential problems.
  • The DBF prepares all tax forms from the figures and totals provided by the parish. Once inputted and balanced to the total advised, the claims are signed by the DBF and forwarded to HMRC. The Income tax is either repaid by BACS direct to the church account, or on return to the DBF is credited to the appropriate Parish Share account. NB. Although the DBF has the authority to sign claims on a church's behalf, the church remains liable for accurate audit trails.