Gift Aid FAQs

If you're a UK tax payer, you can make every £1 you give – or have given in the last four years – worth 25p more, simply by signing up to Gift Aid.

The government’s Gift Aid scheme allows us to reclaim the tax you've paid on your donations, making your support go further, at no extra cost to you! The extra money raised helps us to do even more to protect the places you love to go walking

For your donations to be eligible for Gift Aid you must pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax in each tax year that is at least equal to the tax that all charities and CASCs reclaim on your donations in the same tax year. This excludes council tax and VAT. If you pay higher rate tax you can also claim further tax relief in your Self-Assessment tax return.

What is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid is a scheme run by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) which allows charities to reclaim the tax you have paid on your donations. It means we receive an extra 25% on top of your donations and membership subscriptions without it costing you a penny more.

What is a Gift Aid declaration?

It is a statement you make to say you would like us to claim back the tax you have already paid on your donations and membership subscriptions from HMRC.

Who can make a Gift Aid declaration?

To be eligible to sign up for Gift Aid you must be a UK taxpayer and you must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs you donate to will reclaim on your gifts in the same tax year. Council Tax and VAT do not qualify.

What about donations I’ve made in the past?

A Gift Aid declaration allows us to reclaim an extra 25% on any eligible donations made in the past four years as well as for all future donations.

How long does it last for?

You only need to make one Gift Aid declaration, which is valid until you contact us to cancel it.

What does it commit me to?

Nothing at all - you can cancel your declaration at any time.

How do I cancel my Gift Aid declaration?

Email us at fundraising@ramblers.org.uk or call us on 020 3961 3232.

What if I’m a lower rate taxpayer?

We can still claim back 25p for each £1 you donate, provided you pay enough tax, as detailed above.

What if I’m a higher rate taxpayer?

We can still claim back 25p for each £1 you donate. As a higher rate taxpayer, if you declare your donations on your tax return, you can claim a rebate based on the difference between the higher rate and the basic rate when you fill in your self-assessment form.