Gift Aid

Boost your donation by 25p for every £1 you donate – it won’t cost you a penny extra.

Complete the form below and make your donation go even further with Gift Aid.

If your tax circumstances or address details change please call us on 01227 813 199 or email datapreferences@porchlight.org.uk.

We’d like to keep you updated on the work your gift supports. Please select how you’d like to be contacted:

You can change your preferences at any time by giving us a call on 01227 760 078 or emailing datapreferences@porchlight.org.uk. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.

Frequently asked Gift Aid questions (FAQs)

What is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid is a scheme from HM Revenue & Customs that allows us to reclaim an extra 25% on your donations made during the past 4 years, as well as on all future donations, without costing you a penny. This means that for every £1 you donate to the Porchlight, we can claim an extra 25p.

It might not sound like much, but in the financial year 2023/4, Porchlight raised £71,276.04 in Gift Aid. That's enough to pay for 2,851 hours of support for people sleeping on the streets.

Am I a UK taxpayer?

You are if you pay tax on any income:

  • salary (whether at source or via self-assessment)
  • savings interest
  • pension
  • investment or rental income
  • the sale of assets (shares, property, etc)

It doesn’t matter what rate of tax or type of income, as long as the total amount of tax paid covers the amount that all the charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs you donate to will reclaim for each tax year. And it must be paid in the UK.

How much tax do I need to pay to qualify?

We can reclaim at the basic income tax rate, which is 25p of tax for every pound donated. For example, if you have donated £40 during the tax year, we can claim £10 in tax. So providing you have paid at least £10 in tax during the tax year, you can sign the declaration. Just remember that the same applies to other charities you give to so you must have paid enough to cover all your gifts.

I am a pensioner. Does it mean I do not pay enough tax?

No, it depends on how much you pay in taxes and how much you give to charities. You may pay enough tax on a pension or savings account to cover the tax on your donations. If you are unsure, it may be worth checking your statements. Any capital gains tax on the sale of assets also qualifies.

If you have not paid enough tax to cover your donations in any given tax year, simply let us know by writing on the form, and we will ensure that we claim only where applicable.

I am a low-rate taxpayer. Does it mean I do not pay enough tax?

No, it depends on how much you pay in taxes and how much you give to charities. It may be worth checking your paperwork. Remember that any capital gains tax on the sale of assets also qualifies.

If you have not paid enough tax to cover your donations in any given tax year, simply let us know by writing on the form, and we will ensure that we claim only where applicable.

I am a higher-rate taxpayer. Can you claim more Gift Aid?

Unfortunately, charities can only claim at the basic tax rate, but you can claim the difference (another 25p per pound given) - on your self-assessment if applicable or through your local tax office - and donate this to us.

I don’t currently pay tax or not enough.

Please let us know by filling in and returning the declaration. If you have paid enough tax in any of the tax years from April 2010, please let us know and we will claim the tax on any gifts that you have made in those tax years.

I think I have already made a Gift Aid declaration with Porchlight.

If you have donated online you may have selected to Gift Aid these gifts, but this is not valid for gifts made offline, for example by cheque. Simply fill in the declaration and we will be able to increase the value of these donations by 25%.

The donation I made was from a joint account and only one of us is a taxpayer. Does it affect Gift Aid?

No, we only need a Gift Aid declaration for one spouse. But we do need the initial or first name of the spouse in order for the declaration to be valid.

My tax status may be changing. I am unsure about making a declaration.

This is not a problem. You can sign a declaration and simply let us know when you stop paying tax, or you can specify an end date if you already know it. Simply include it in the form.

If you have any questions about Gift Aid or would like to speak to our team about your Gift Aid declaration, please email datapreferences@porchlight.org.uk or call 01227 813 199. We'd be happy to help.

For the most up-to-date information on Gift Aid, please visit www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid.