Supporting the Diocese - Gift aid

The Tax system for Charities reclaiming Income Tax changed on 6 April 2000. Deeds of Covenant cannot be signed after that date for the reclaim of Income Tax. To replace that system, there is a Gift Aid procedure, which enables Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax paid by the donor to be reclaimed without a fixed amount being promised over a minimum period of time for the future. The new Gift Aid scheme enables the tax reclaimed on giving, provided it is identifiable, to be as flexible as a donor's circumstances dictate.

The Gift Aid Declaration Form is an agreement between you and the Charity which enables you to make unspecified donations for as long or as short a period as you choose from 6 April 2001 and, providing you have paid sufficient tax within a tax year to cover your total giving, then the Charity is able to reclaim the tax on your donations for the benefit of your Parish (tax refund is currently 28p for every £1 donated).

For example, if you give £5 a week (£260 a year) through the Diocesan Gift Aid scheme, the Diocese can reclaim an extra £72.80 in tax, making your giving worth £332.80 to your parish. It is easy to complete a Gift Aid Declaration Form. Ask your Parish Priest or Parish Gift Aid Organiser for a form and enter your full name, address and postcode. Give the completed form to your Parish Organiser. Ask also for either a Standing Order form and envelopes or just for a set of envelopes.