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 Make sure the countryside not the Government benefits from your membership and donations by signing up for Gift Aid.
Recent changes to charity law and in the structure of the Countryside Alliance and The Countryside Alliance Foundation mean that Gift Aid relief can be claimed on charitable donations. This means that all donations and a significant proportion of membership subscriptions paid by you since 1 November 2007 and going forward can be claimed back in the form of Gift Aid relief, increasing by up to 25%* the money we receive to help us with our work. Imagine what a difference that could make and it doesn’t cost you a penny. To sign up online please follow this link. Or download a copy of the Gift Aid form by clicking here. Please call our Membership Department on 020 7840 9300 if you have any questions or would like to register for Gift Aid over the phone.
Gift Aid – Frequently Asked Questions
How can I sign up for Gift Aid?
All you need to do is follow one of the links above to complete our online Gift Aid declaration form or send in our downloadable Gift Aid declaration form. I am a joint member – who should sign the Gift Aid Declaration?
The Gift Aid Declaration form should be signed by the person who makes the donation or pays the membership subscription. How does Gift Aid work?
Gift Aid is one of the easiest ways to make your donation tax effective. The Countryside Alliance reclaims the basic rate tax from the Inland Revenue. There is no extra cost to you and the process is simple – all you have to do is make a Gift Aid declaration. What does the Gift Aid declaration commit me to?
Absolutely nothing! It just ensures that we can claim an extra 25* per cent back from the Inland Revenue on any money you give to the Countryside Alliance.
*For any gift aided donations made before 6 April 2008, we will be able to claim back 28 per cent. What is a Gift Aid declaration?
It is simply a statement by an individual taxpayer that they want a charity to get back from the Inland Revenue the tax paid on their donation. This is a great way to add 28* per cent to the value of your gift to the Countryside Alliance without it costing you a penny more!
*For any donations made after 6 April 2008 it will be 25 per cent. The Government will pay the Countryside Alliance an additional 3p on every £1 you give during the transitional relief period. Gift Aid - do I qualify?
For every £1 you donate to the Countryside Alliance in a financial year, you must have paid 28p* in income or capital gains tax in the same financial year to qualify for Gift Aid.
*For any donations made after 6 April 2008 you must have paid 25p in income or capital gains tax in the same financial year to qualify for Gift Aid. I live in Northern Ireland – do I need to complete a Gift Aid Declaration form?
At the moment the Countryside Alliance is only able to claim Gift Aid if you live in England, Scotland or Wales. How do I know if I pay UK income or capital gains tax?
You pay these taxes if:
• income tax is taken from your wages or salary before you receive your pay.
• you pay tax after filling in a self-assessment form each year.
• you have any taxable savings (eg: in a Building Society), or a pension plan, or investment income.
• you have paid any capital gains tax, on the sale of a property or some shares, for instance.
If any of these applies to you, please complete and return your declaration so the Countryside Alliance can reclaim the tax on your donations. NB Inheritance tax does not count as UK income or capital gains tax. Why does it work out at 28* pence for every pound given?
For donations made before 6 April 2008:
Although the basic rate tax was 22 per cent during this period, the donation for £1 is treated as the net after tax from £1.28 (£1.28 minus 22 per cent is approximately £1). The Countryside Alliance get back the 28 pence.
For donations made since 6 April 2008:
Since the basic rate tax decreased to 20 per cent from 6 April 2008, the donation for £1 is treated as the net after tax from £1.25 (£1.25 minus 20 per cent is £1). The Countryside Alliance get back the 25 pence. In addition the Government has agreed Transitional relief of a further 3.2% until 5 April 2011, increasing the full value to 28.2%, or 28 pence. What if I don't pay UK tax?
Then, unfortunately, you are not able to make a Gift Aid declaration. If you want us to make a note of this on your records, please let us know by completing the online Gift Aid Declaration Form or downloading the Gift Aid Declaration form. What if I'm a pensioner?
You may still pay tax on a private pension plan or a savings account, or pay capital gains tax if you sell property or shares. If so, please indicate this on the Gift Aid declaration. What if I'm a higher rate taxpayer?
The Countryside Alliance can only directly claim back at the basic rate but please complete and return the declaration anyway.
However, as a higher rate taxpayer, if you declare your donations on your tax return, you can claim a rebate based on the difference between the higher rate and the basic rate when you fill in your self-assessment form.
From April 2004 the self-assessment form covering returns for 2003/04 allows you to nominate a charity to receive any rebate that you are due. The Inland Revenue will pass the repayment directly to the charity. So please consider this simple way to add even more to your gift to The Countryside Alliance.
For example, if a higher rate taxpayer makes donations totalling £100 over a year, on top of the £28 that the Countryside Alliance claims back directly, you can reclaim as much as £23 from the taxman. What if I'm a lower rate taxpayer?
If you pay a lower rate of tax, the Countryside Alliance can still claim back 28p for each £1 you donate, provided you pay enough tax to cover the claim in the tax year you make the gift(s). What if I make my donations via CAF (Charities Aid Foundation)?
If you normally make donations via CAF, tax has already been reclaimed. However, please fill in the declaration anyway so that any separate donations you might make are tax effective as well. What if I buy raffle tickets or make purchases from the catalogue?
Purchases such as raffle tickets or items from the catalogue are not treated by the Inland Revenue as donations and so the Gift Aid declaration does not apply to them. However, please fill in the declaration to cover any additional or separate donations. Can Gift Aid be applied to events sponsorship?
Yes, in most cases - please see sponsorship forms for more details. If you are being sponsored or sponsoring someone else, for example someone taking part in a Countryside Alliance challenge or running the London Marathon, please Gift Aid eligible contributions. Remember each sponsor needs to include their home address and postcode to enable the Countryside Alliance to reclaim the tax. How long does the declaration last for?
To simplify matters for both you and the Countryside Alliance, the declaration wording normally covers present, future and past donations. We are able to claim on any gifts made since our charitable arm The Countryside Alliance Foundation came into existence on 1 November 2007, and going forward, as long as you are eligible. Who will have access to this information about me?
Only the Countryside Alliance and the Inland Revenue. We will not share it with anyone else. What should I do if my tax status changes or I want to cancel my declaration?
Please let us know by contacting us in one of the following ways:
Write to:
Countryside Alliance Membership Department
Old Town Hall
367 Kennington Road
London
SE11 4PT
Telephone the Membership Department on: 020 7840 9300 Email:
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