Gift Aid

Last year we were able to add £28,000 in Gift Aid from the Inland Revenue to the donations we received!

How Gift Aid Works

Under the Government’s Gift Aid scheme, the centre can reclaim tax on the donations made by UK taxpayers.

In practice this means that for a person who pays tax, for every £100 they earn, £20 will be paid in tax and they will receive the other £80. If that person comes to the clinic and leaves a donation of £80, we can then claim the tax paid on that amount back from the HM Revenue & Customs. So from an £80 donation we can claim £20 (25%) back from the Gift Aid. So from the £80 donation we end up receiving £100 in total!

You must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April one year to 5 April the next) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that the charity will reclaim on your gifts for that tax year.

In the case of higher rate tax payers it is not only the charity that can claim tax back – you, the taxpayer can do so as well! If you are a high rate taxpayer you can reclaim the difference between the basic and the higher tax rate (currently 20%) on the donation (before the deduction of basic tax). In our example above the gross value of the donation before deduction of basic rate tax was £100 – as a high rate taxpayer you could claim back the upper 20% of tax paid (£20).

We would like to remind all our supporters to let us know if their circumstances change so that any future donations are treated correctly.

Regular Giving

Why is regular giving useful?

Because it allows us to plan ahead. As much as we appreciate all the donations we receive, regular donations are particularly useful because they provide stability – crucial in a relatively small organisation as ours.

Direct debit

Regular giving can be in the form of a standing order, a Direct Debit or through payroll giving (which means tax is automatically deducted). It may be easier to give a smaller amount each month or quarter, rather than a larger amount as a one-off donation. You can setup a direct debit online using our Virgin Money Giving page, or download and print this donation form. Make sure you complete all the relevant parts, including Gift Aid, then post it to us at the address at the bottom of the page.

Payroll Giving

Payroll giving means that a donation is deducted from your salary, before tax. This ensures that we receive all the tax on your donation, which for higher rate tax payers adds 40% to their donation. So not only is it easy for you – it also increases the size of your donation! For more details on payroll giving have a look at the Charities’ Aid Foundation website. Also check with your payroll administrator to see if your employer is already set up to do this.

Gifting Your Will

Why leave a legacy?

The National Migraine Centre, which is a medical charity, has helped thousands of people with migraine and other headaches for the last 30 years. There is an ambitious development programme in place and with the help of supporters and friends, the centre will continue its work for many years to come.

An easy way for you to help is to leave a gift to the centre in your will, in the form of a legacy. As the centre is a charity it will be tax-fee. You may feel that you do not have sufficient assets for it to be worthwhile to leave a legacy, but whatever the amount, you will be contributing to the centre’s future.

There are a few charities and organisations in the UK concerned with helping those with migraine, and with whom the centre has links. However, the centre is not affiliated to any of these organisations and is a separate, independent body with no guaranteed source of income.

Nobody likes to consider their own death, but making a will (and keeping it up to date) is one of the most important actions we undertake.

What is a legacy?

  • A legacy is a donation made as part of a will
  • Legacies to registered charities are deducted before inheritance tax is calculated and so reduce the amount of tax that your family or other beneficiaries will have to pay
  • Legacies can be either for specific amounts or they can be residual. The latter means that it consists of what is left after all bequests, debts and expenses have been settled. This can be useful if you are concerned that leaving a legacy will deprive your family of their inheritance
  • Leaving a legacy is a flexible way of donating to the centre without affecting your day-to-day income and at the same time helping to ensure our future.

How do I set up a legacy?

You need to have a will.

If you already do and now wish to include a bequest to the centre, your solicitor can attach a Codicil to the will to this effect. If you do not have a will this would be a good time to write one up. Ideally, you should seek advice from a solicitor in order to do this. Make sure you give the solicitor our full name, address and charity number in order to avoid any uncertainty as to which charity is to benefit from the legacy.

If you wish the centre to receive the remainder of your estate, after any other specific bequests have been settled, please fill in this simple Codicil form and pass on to your solicitor.

If you would like to talk to us about leaving a gift in your will please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 7251 3322 or via info@nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk.