News
Gift Aid Update
Download copies of Gift Aid Update which is sent to all churches that have signed up for Gift Aid Lite (the diocesan parish support scheme).
Gift Aid Update April 2012
Gift Aid Briefing April 2012
Fit and Proper Persons
Guidance for PCCs on HMRC’s ‘Fit and Proper Persons’ test.
This note explains what your PCC needs to do to comply with legislation introduced in 2010 that requires churches (and charities) that reclaim Gift Aid to be able to demonstrate that their PCC members and any church staff and volunteers who manage church funds are ‘fit and proper persons’.
Variations Form
www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/chv1.pdf
Tax credits and Gift Aid
'Nothing to do with us', you might say - wrong! Most of our Churches will have members of their congregations who are claiming Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits - in fact statistics shows that 70% of families with children now qualify for Tax credits.
Those receiving tax credits should be encouraged to disclose their Gift Aid donations when advising their annual income - Gift Aid donations are deductible from annual income and disclosing this might result in an increase in the benefit received! As a Charity we should be advising our donors -
"If your family is claiming tax credits, make sure you tell the taxman about your gift aid donations, because most likely he will give you more money".
To claim this, complete the form "Working Sheet for tax credit for Gift Aid donations" (form TC825 - downloadable from the HMRC website).
While these credits are in existence it would be good practice to advise our donors on an annual basis, probably as part of the acknowledgement letter. Financially this might not increase the church's money BUT in the current climate your donors will appreciate their donations costing them less and just might increase their contributions to you accordingly!
Training Opportunities
Basic training is held every year for people new to Gift Aid administration in their church (usually in the autumn). Click Events for training information.
Training, advice and support is available during programmed audit visits. All churches receive a visit and advice on joining Gift Aid Lite (the parish support scheme).
