The Gift Aid Guide

When you make a donation through Give as you Live Donate, you’ll be given the option to add Gift Aid before you complete your donation.

If you’re a UK taxpayer, adding Gift Aid allows the charity you’re supporting to claim an extra 25% from the government, at no extra cost to you. It only takes a moment to add, but it can make a big difference to the charity.

What Is Gift Aid?

When you tick the Gift Aid box, the charity can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate, paid for by the government, not you.

Example:

• You donate £10
• The charity claims an extra £2.50 in Gift Aid
• Total value to the charity: £12.50

Who can add Gift Aid?

You can add Gift Aid if all of the following apply:

• You’re a UK taxpayer
• You’ve paid enough income or capital gains tax in that tax year to cover the Gift Aid claimed
• The donation is your own money

If your tax circumstances change (for example, you stop paying tax), you should let the charity or donation platform know.

How much tax do I need to have paid?

You must have paid at least the same amount of tax as the Gift Aid being claimed on your donations that year.

Example:

• Gift Aid on a £10 donation = £2.50
• You need to have paid at least £2.50 in income or capital gains tax for that tax year

This applies to all Gift Aided donations combined, not just a single donation.

When shouldn’t I add Gift Aid?

You shouldn’t tick the Gift Aid box if:

• The money was raised through events like bake sales, raffles, or sponsored activities
• You’re donating money that was collected from other people
• You’re donating on someone else’s behalf using your own details
• The donation is made from a business or company account

In short, Gift Aid can only be claimed when the donation is your personal money.

What happens after I tick the Gift Aid box?

Once you add Gift Aid:

• The charity submits the claim to HMRC
• The extra funds are paid directly to the charity
• There are no fees taken from your donation or the Gift Aid amount

You don’t need to fill out any extra forms or take any further action.

Is Gift Aid worth it?

Yes, absolutely. Gift Aid is one of the simplest ways to increase your impact:

• It boosts your donation by 25%
• It costs you nothing extra
• It provides vital additional funding for charities

For more detailed guidance, you can also view the official government rules on Gift Aid.