Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gift Aid?
HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) operates a scheme called Gift Aid that allows charities to claim back the basic rate tax on every pound donated. This is worth 25p every time a participating supporter donates £1 to us. As a registered charity, Mane Chance is able to take part in this scheme, provided that our donor completes a declaration to authorise us to do so. So for every £10 you donate, we could receive an extra £2.50 at no extra cost to you, so your donation actually becomes worth £12.50 to our horses.
Who can take part?
You need to be a UK tax payer to be able to sign a gift aid declaration. If you are not a UK tax payer, or are no longer paying tax, you cannot take part in this scheme – but please don’t think that your donation is any less valuable to us!
To participate, you must:
• have paid at least as much in income tax or Capital Gains tax as the total of the gift aid we claim for you each year
• have completed a gift aid declaration that gives us permission to claim
• provide your name and home address
Can you claim on everything I give to Mane Chance?
Gift aid only applies to ‘gifts’. That means that we can’t use Gift Aid to boost fundraising totals, for example, on events where you have been charged an entry fee or have received something for your ticket, such as a meal or entertainment. We also can’t claim gift aid on merchandise purchases from the shop or if you have entered a competition for a prize.
However, we are able to claim on all general donations given and horse sponsorship packages, so it is still a very valuable scheme to Mane Chance.
How do I sign up?
Please complete our online declaration form to give us permission to claim gift aid on any donation that you give us that is eligible. The only information you need to give us is your name and address and you need to tick the permission boxes.
It’s important that you have complete control over what we claim, so you have three options:
• single donation only
• single donation and all future donations
• single donation, all future donations and all donations made in the past four years
Obviously the last of those options is the most exciting one for us!
You will then need to read the actual declaration and press submit – that’s it!
We will keep your declaration on file and you will know that for every £1 you give us that is eligible, it will be worth £1.25 to Mane Chance!
It takes just a couple of minutes to do but makes the world of difference to our horses!
Is there anything else important I need to know?
If your contact details change, you must let us know. If, for example, you change your name or home address.
But you should also let us know if you stop paying tax. If you pay less tax than we claim gift aid for you, then it is your responsibility to pay the difference to HMRC. So please remember to tell us if you no longer pay sufficient tax each year so that we cancel your declaration.
To let us know of any changes, please get in touch.
Is it completely free for me?
Yes, this scheme does not cost you a penny to participate in!
Can I change my mind in the future?
Yes. If you wish to cancel your declaration, just get in touch – you have the right to ask us to stop claiming at any time.
To cancel, please contact us.
I pay higher rate tax – is there anything I need to know?
If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.