WHAT IS GIFT AID AND WHO CAN JOIN?

Gift Aid is a method, approved by the Tax Authorities, of substantially increasing the value of your offerings at absolutely no cost or inconvenience to yourself. Whatever you give is gratefully received as your personal support to the Parish. Gift Aid can be applied to all of your donations, whether regular or occasional, and you can stop, start or vary what you pay whenever you decide. If you are a UK taxpayer, you are eligible to join the Gift Aid Scheme, whatever your nationality.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GIFT AID ?

Our Parish, as a registered charity, is allowed to reclaim all of the basic rate income tax which you have paid on any funds given to us under the Gift Aid Scheme.

HOW MUCH IS THIS WORTH TO THE PARISH?

Currently we can reclaim from the Tax Authorities an extra 25 pence for every pound you give. For example, if your donation was £5 per week, the Parish would be able to claim an extra £65, thus boosting your annual gift of £260 to £325 at absolutely no cost to you. Similarly, if you donate £1,000 per annum, your gift will be transformed into more than £1,250. Conversely, if you are a UK tax payer and you don't join the Gift Aid scheme, you are forfeiting the opportunity of providing the Parish with that additional income.

I AM A HIGHER RATE TAX PAYER, HOW WILL THIS EFFECT ME?

As a higher rate tax payer you are allowed to reclaim for yourself the difference between the Basic and Higher Rates of Tax (currently 20%). Thus, an offering of £260, less your tax refund, would actually cost you only £208, but the Parish would still receive £325.

WHAT IF THE AMOUNT OF TAX TO BE RECLAIMED IS MORE THAN THE TAX I PAID ?

Should it transpire that you do not pay enough tax or you cease to be a tax payer, please contact the Gift Aid Organiser (see below).

HOW WILL I KNOW HOW MUCH I HAVE GIVEN THE PARISH EACH YEAR ?

If you wish, the Gift Aid organiser will send you an e.mail each year with details of your donation

WILL THE AMOUNT OF MY OFFERINGS BE KNOWN TO ANYONE IN THE PARISH ?

You will be allocated a Personal Identification Number, known only to you and to the Gift Aid Organiser. The amounts you give can only be identified by the Gift Aid Organiser, who keeps all such information strictly confidential.

HOW DO I MAKE MY OFFERINGS ?

Every gift, whether large or small, is greatly valued, but if you feel able to make a regular monthly donation, a Bank Standing Order form is available. This can be obtained from the Parish Priest or from the Gift Aid Organiser. It is then the donor's responsibility to present the form to their bank.

Each year, just before the beginning of the new fiscal year (6 April), a small box of envelopes labelled with your membership number will be made available in the entrance to the Church. Some are pre-printed with dates and are for regular donations, if you do not contribute by standing order. The others are for the use of all donors, whether contributing by standing order or not, are undated and are for second collections and special occasions such as Christmas and Easter donations for the Parish Priest, as these can also be Gift Aided.

GIFT AID ORGANISER

If you are not yet a member of the scheme and are considering joining or should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Parish's Gift Aid Organiser, Chris Ignatowicz. His contact details are as follows:

e.mail: chrisignatowicz7@aol.com - Phones: 01621 892373 or 07809 828470

For St Cuthbert's please contact Kathy Speller on 01621 786288