Does the government tax our donations to charity?
Any donations you make to charity are from income that you are paying tax on. So if you make an £8 donation, it was on income initially of £10. But if you sign a gift aid form the charity can claim back the tax you have paid, so would get an extra £2 from the Government. If you pay tax at Higher rate, your Basic Rate band can be extended for you to get the benefit of your donation. If anyone signs a gift aid form, but is not liable to tax, because the charity has claimed the money from the Government (as you have not paid it) you have to reimburse the Government of the extra amount. No, purchases from charity shops do not count. You are not donating, but getting something back for your money. I used to subscribe to a group supporting the local theatre, which was registered as a charity. The Government stopped the gift aid because we were getting cheap tickets and other benefits. Some employers run payroll schemes where part of your wages go straight to the charity rather than you, and
