Hickling VC cropped (credit: Jimmy King)
Gift Aid
Did you know you could boost your support to Norfolk Wildlife Trust by 25%? The best part is that it only takes a few minutes - at no extra cost to you.
Here's how it works:
Gift Aid example graphic
Norfolk Wildlife Trust is a registered charity which means we can claim an extra 25p from the government for every £1 you donate, including your membership payments.
As a UK taxpayer, you have already paid tax on your earnings, savings, or pensions. When you donate to Norfolk Wildlife Trust, your donation comes from that taxed income. By making a Gift Aid declaration, you allow us to reclaim the tax you’ve already paid – boosting the value of your donation by 25%. So, if you give £10 and add Gift Aid, your donation becomes £12.50. Which is great news for wildlife!
To be eligible to make a Gift Aid declaration, you must be a UK taxpayer and have paid enough Income or Capital Gains Tax in the same financial year as your donation.
Last year we claimed over £250,000 in Gift Aid – a vital boost for Norfolk’s wildlife. At a time when nature is under more pressure than ever, this extra funding makes a real difference helping to fund anything from maintenance work on our reserves – like looking after fencing that helps keep stone curlew nests safe from predation – to creating more habitat for specialist plant species, like Spanish catchfly.
If you’re able, will you supercharge your donation by making a Gift Aid declaration? It won’t cost you a penny, but it means so much for Norfolk’s wildlife.
Submit your Gift Aid declaration online
If you’d rather send us your Gift Aid Declaration by post, please download a Gift Aid form and send it to our Freepost address: Freepost Plus RTKH-LGSA-TCJS, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Bewick House, 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1RY. Once received, we can claim Gift Aid on your donations until you let us know otherwise. We can also include any donations you have already made in the last four years. If this doesn’t apply, please let us know.
Please let us know if your situation changes.
This includes:
- Changing your name or home address
- Cancelling this declaration
- If you no long pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains
You can contact us by emailing supporters@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk or by calling 01603 625540.
Visitors at NWT Cley Marshes visitor centre (credit: Frederic Landes)
Frequently asked questions
This information is for general guidance only and is not financial advice. If you are unsure about your eligibility for Gift Aid or how it may affect your personal tax situation, we recommend you seek independent financial advice or visit the HMRC website.
How do I know if I pay UK Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax?
You pay UK Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax if:
- Income Tax is taken from your wages or salary before you receive your pay.
- You submit a Self Assessment tax return each year and pay tax accordingly.
- You have any taxable savings (such as those in a building society), a pension plan, or investment income.
- You’ve paid Capital Gains Tax on the sale of assets like property or shares.
Please note that Inheritance Tax, Council Tax and VAT are not considered forms of Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax.
What if I don’t pay UK Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax?
Unfortunately, you are not eligible to make a Gift Aid declaration.
We can make a note of this on your record so please let us know by calling 01603 625540 or by emailing supporters@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk. Thank you for your continued support.
What if I receive a pension?
If you receive a pension, you may still be a UK taxpayer and eligible for Gift Aid. You might be paying tax on a private pension or savings account or pay Capital Gains Tax if you sell property or shares. If so, you are eligible to complete a Gift Aid declaration.
What if I’m a higher rate taxpayer?
If you’re a higher rate taxpayer, you can claim back the difference between the tax you paid on charitable donations and what each charity got back when you fill in your Self Assessment tax return.
For example, if you donate £100 with a declaration, Norfolk Wildlife Trust can claim Gift Aid to make your donation £125. You can then claim back the difference between the basic (20%) and higher rate (40%) of tax, so £25 (£125 x 20%). This means your donation only cost you £75 and Norfolk Wildlife Trust receives £125. A win-win!
How long does the declaration last for?
Once you’ve made a Gift Aid declaration it normally covers past, present, and future donations. We can back-claim on donations made in the past four years and will continue to do so unless you tell us otherwise. Please let us know if your circumstances change.
What if I don’t pay enough tax in a tax year to cover my Gift Aid declaration?
Your donations will qualify if they do not exceed four times what you have paid in Income or Capital Gains Tax that year. Please let us know if you stop paying enough tax. You should only sign a Gift Aid declaration if you’ve paid enough tax to cover the amount you’ve donated to all charities in that financial year. If we receive back more tax than you’ve paid, HMRC may ask you to cover the difference.
What if I make my donations via Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)?
If you donate through CAF, the tax has already been reclaimed. However, please complete our Gift Aid declaration to cover any other donations you may make in the future, or have made in the past, that aren’t through the CAF scheme.
Does Gift Aid apply to funeral collections or donations from a company or club?
Gift Aid can only be applied to donations or sponsorships made by individuals who pay UK Income or Capital Gains Tax. It does not apply to contributions from businesses, clubs, organisations, or groups. Similarly, anonymous cash donations collected at funerals are unfortunately not eligible for Gift Aid.
Our membership has multiple members. Can we Gift Aid our membership?
Yes, you can Gift Aid a membership with multiple members. However, to Gift Aid your membership you must be the payer of the membership.