Gift Aid is one of the most simple and effective ways of giving to charity. Using Gift Aid means that for every pound you give, CHILDREN 1^ST will receive an extra 28p from the Inland Revenue. That means that a £10 Gift Aid Donation is worth £12.80.

You must pay as much tax (income and/or capital gains) as CHILDREN 1^ST will reclaim on your donations in the same financial year. For example if you wish to Gift Aid your donations totalling £100 in one year, you need to have paid at least £28 to the Inland Revenue during that tax year.

Remember that you don't have to be in employment to pay tax. Many people pay tax on their savings, pensions and investments.

As an added bonus, if you are a higher rate taxpayer you are eligible to reclaim tax relief on your donation by including details of your Gift Aid donations in your Self Assessment Tax Form.

For example if you gift £100 per annum to CHILDREN 1^ST, the gross donation to CHILDREN 1^ST is £128.

As a donor paying higher rate tax, you are eligible to claim the difference between your higher rate of tax (40%) and the basic rate of tax (22%) reclaimed by CHILDREN 1^ST.

So, £128 (gross donation) x 18% (40% - 22%) = £23 tax relief benefit to you.

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