What is Gift Aid?
Gift Aid is one of the simplest and most effective ways of giving to charity. Using Gift Aid means that for every pound you give, HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust will receive an extra 28 pence from the Inland Revenue. This means that a £10 Gift Aid donation, is worth £12.80 to us - imagine what a difference that could make, and it doesn't cost you a thing!  
 
On top of this, higher rate taxpayers are eligible to reclaim as much as £23 from the taxman for every £100 donated to charity, by including details of their Gift Aid donations on their Self Assessment form. (For details of how this is calculated, see the section Gift Aid - How does it work below).  
 
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Gift Aid - How does it work?
Gift Aid is surprisingly easy to use. Gift Aid can apply to donations of any amount, large or small, by cash, cheque, postal order, direct debit, standing order, debit or credit card or even in a foreign currency (including the euro).  
 
If you are a UK taxpayer, all you have to do is complete a simple Gift Aid declaration.  
 
What's more - one single Gift Aid declaration can apply to all past donations you have made (since April 2000) and to all future donations you make.  
 
As a higher rate taxpayer looking to reclaim tax from your donation, all you have to do is remember to include details of your charitable gifts on your tax form. Also, from April 2003, higher rate taxpayers will be able to reclaim tax relief from donations paid to charity both during the previous tax year and during the current tax year, that means the relief is paid that much quicker.  
 
Gift Aid - Do I qualify?
Providing you pay as much tax (income and/or capital gains) as HCPT will be entitled to reclaim on your donations in the same financial year, you are entitled to use Gift Aid. For example, if you wish to Gift Aid your charitable donations that total £100 in one year, you will need to have paid at least £28 in to the taxman in respect of that tax year. For further information on Gift Aid legislation, visit the Inland Revenue website

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