Gift Aid on memberships

etienneg

In certain cases a charity is able to reclaim at least some tax on membership subscriptions, even though part of the membership fee gives some benefit to the subscriber. Possibly the best known case is the National Trust. But it also applies to much smaller charities such as the choir in which I sing.

Where the subscriber pays higher rate tax and therefore wants to claim a tax refund, what figure does he use? If it is less than the full subscription (grossed up), how does he find out (especially in the National Trust example) what figure is allowed?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656331/gift-aid-on-memberships

Was that information not available when joining the National Trust?

You may find this useful

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/national-trust-and-gift-aidy6hg

Woodstok2000

I'm not an expert, but I would think that If the charity is claiming gift aid, then your membership 'fee' is a gift and you should be able to reclaim on the full amount.

etienneg

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893381#Comment_81893381

Thank you for your reply.

It's many years since I joined the National Trust, well before gift aid was introduced. At that point it was quite irrelevant as my income was far from the higher rate threshold. Frozen thresholds and increased income have changed that, hence my question.

I tried your accountingweb link, but unfortunately all I get is "page not found".

Dazed_and_C0nfused

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893841#Comment_81893841

I seem to have inadvertently lost part of the URL.

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/national-trust-and-gift-aid

sheramber

You normally pay more than the standard membership fee and that additional voluntary amount is eligible for gift if you have completed a gift aid form.

“National trust gift aid donations”

Many charities advise you after the end of the year how much gift aid they have claimed.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81894711#Comment_81894711

National Trust membership is the same price whether you gift aid it or not. They claim gift aid on the whole amount, and you can claim tax back on that amount too.

Dugal

Looking at the back of my membership renewal letter :

'Thank you for the gift aid declaration ……This allows the National Trust to reclaim the tax on this and any other eligible donations or membership subscriptions…..'

Up to now this had not crossed my mind, but very useful info. especially as I may be near the 40% tax threshold. Now need to look at membership info for other charities.😊

DRS1

Some places allow you to do this with the entrance fee - eg Kew Gardens (I think they call it a day membership).