FREE TRAINING FOR RE-CLAIMING GIFT AID

GIFT AID is tax relief on money donated to UK charities. Donations are treated as if basic rate tax has been deducted. The charity can then reclaim this tax to increase the value of a donation.

Changes in the recent budget regarding Gift Aid mean that charities will continue to receive an additional 28p. Charities can claim Gift Aid tax relief of 25p on every pound in donations. HMRC will also be operating transitional provisions for Gift Aid donations made from 6 April 2008 until 5 April 2011, paying a Government supplement of 3p on every pound donated.

It has also been highlighted that some charities and voluntary groups are not re-claiming the Gift Aid on their donations. Gift Aid can apply to one-off donations or those over a specific period and can even be backdated for up to 6 years. It can apply to sponsorships and certain membership fees.

The low numbers of groups re-claiming may be due to issues such as:

• Low awareness of how Gift Aid works
• Lack of time and manpower
• Requirement for training and support on how to administer
• Fear of getting the rules wrong.

Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) in conjunction with Giving Sir Gâr and Communities First would like to offer both registered charities and any other third sector organizations (who can re-claim under an umbrella charity such as CAVS) the opportunity to learn about Gift Aid and how to make it start working for you.

In order for us to know whether groups would like training and support please could you register your interest with Simon Pearce at simon@cavs.org.uk or call 01554 777112, or alternatively write to us, marking it for the attention of Simon Pearce by Friday 16^th May. Final dates will be forwarded shortly.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Helen Martin

Project Officer Giving Sir Gâr