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Gift Aid

What is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid is a government scheme, administered by the HR Revenue and Customs Department, which enables charities to reclaim the basic rate tax you have paid as a tax payer – an extra 25p for every £1 of the total paid. In addition the government will pay an additonal 3p on every £1 you give until April 2011.

Who is eligible to give WWT permission to claim Gift Aid?

Everyone is welcome to give donations to WWT and, as a charity, WWT relies on support from a wide range of sources including membership subscriptions, grants, legacies to carry out its conservation work.

However, only UK taxpayers can fill in the Gift Aid declaration forms, which enable us to make the claim from the Government.

What is a Gift Aid declaration form?

This is confirmation that the person making the payment pays income tax or capital gains tax in the UK, at least equal to the amount claimed back in the appropriate tax year.

If you pay tax at the higher rate you can claim further tax relief on your self assessment tax form.

Further information is available on the HMRC website ‘Giving to charities for individuals’ or from your local tax office.

When can Gift Aid be claimed by WWT?

Gift aid can be claimed on any donations, membership subscriptions and on admission charges, providing certain conditions apply.

Why is WWT asking for donations on top of the admission fee to their wetland centres?

The rules governing Gift Aid on admissions to charitable attractions, like our Wetland Centres, changed from 6 April 2006. The Government’s new scheme state that charities can only claim Gift Aid on daily admission tickets if visitors who are UK tax payers give a voluntary donation of at least 10% more than the standard admission fee.

Wetlands and its wildlife are under such threat that there is always more WWT can do, so every penny raised enables us to care for the important wetlands and wildlife at our centres, as well as all the other work around the world. We really do appreciate your support.

For example, if the Gift Aid admission price is £8.75, WWT can raise an extra £2.99 (from the additional 80p donation, included in the price and £2.19 claimed from the Government, based on 25p for every £1 paid).