National Trust

peter_the_piper

Went to Walmer Castle yesterday, asked whether we wanted to let them to Gift Aid the tax back if so that would be £1 extra. Why?

This also applies to English Heritage.

tykesi

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=gift+aid

PasturesNew

Yes, I'd always say no to Gift Aid as you pay more. It used to be that you ticking a box meant they could claim back the tax you'd paid on the money you were giving them. Now ticket prices show an entry cost, and a higher entry cost if you want them to benefit from tax back on Gift Aid.

Madness.

The confusion is that it used to be "tick this, we'll get some money back". Now the term is also used to mean "Hey, just pay us more, it's a donation".

Bugg4h that

peter_the_piper

Thanks , I sort of guessed that, I just want to know why the National Trust charge me an extra £1.00 for the privilege of them collecting the tax I paid.

Andy_L

AIUI they can only claim the tax back on something that is specifically a charitable donation rather than just the entry price.
I don't know if thats a change to the previous rules (as per pasturesNew's posr) or just a tightening up on the current system

kazzah

I believe it is a tightening up of the system - which I felt was abused by a lot of "attractions"
we attended a tank museum ( some years ago) and were asked if we wanted to gift aid our entry fee
I asked if this meant that paying an entry fee was optional ( because gift aid only applied to DONATIONS) they said no and I said they were acting against the HMRC ideals

so i wouldn't gift aid the entrance fee - if the cost had been optional then I would have paid the "suggested donation amount for entry" and gift aided it- but I was not going to be party to fraud ( which in my opinion it was)
if it is an entry fee - it is an entry fee and NOT a donation so therefore cannot be used for Gift Aid purposes

I am pleased that HMRC has tightened the rules - it makes it fairer for all.

Sooler

https://www.gov.uk/gift-aid-what-donations-charities-and-cascs-can-claim-on#viewing-charity-property

Donations qualify when they:

• are 10% or more than the normal admission fee, or
• allow admission for at least 12 months

NT apply the first option as free admission competes with their annual memberships.

Other attractions do free admission with no extra cost
http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/plan-your-visit/gift-aid/

giraffe69

Not only do they charge more but they say unless you specify they will seek the higher price. I specified clearly and did not last weekend.

peter_the_piper

So , as I understand it. £9.60 is the entrance fee, add £1.00 for Gift Aid and its looked on as a donation with a free entry. Sneaky.

gettingtheresometime

Any charitable organisation that can afford to give George Osbourne £375K to do up his freebie home needs all the money it can get.

I know that they've used the excuse that as 'landlord' they are responsible for repairs but I doubt GO (aka as the british taxpayers) pays a market rate rent

NiallB

peter_the_piper wrote: »

So , as I understand it. £9.60 is the entrance fee, add £1.00 for Gift Aid and its looked on as a donation with a free entry. Sneaky.

Pretty much sums it up. If you add a donation, even of £1, they can claim 25% gift aid back on the entire payment.