UK Gift Aid Calculator
Gift Aid is one of the simplest ways to boost charitable donations in the UK. When you tick the Gift Aid box, the charity can reclaim 25% on top of your donation from HMRC — at no extra cost to you as a taxpayer.
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Despite being worth an estimated £1.6 billion a year to UK charities, an additional £560 million goes unclaimed because donors either don't know about Gift Aid or forget to tick the box. If you're a UK taxpayer, every donation you make could be worth 25% more with a simple declaration.
Higher and additional rate taxpayers benefit even further — you can claim back the difference between your tax rate and the basic rate through Self Assessment. For a 45% taxpayer, a £100 donation effectively costs just £55 while the charity receives £125. Enter your details below to see the full impact.
Based on 2026/27 tax year rates. Last updated: April 2026.
Donation Details
Income above £50,270 (40% / 42% Scottish)
Income above £125,140 (45% / 48% Scottish)
Different higher/top rates apply
Based on 2026/27 tax year rates. You must have paid enough UK tax to cover the Gift Aid claimed.
Gift Aid Breakdown
Charity Receives
£125.00
from your £100.00 donation
Annual Gift Aid Summary
How Gift Aid Works
For the Charity
When you tick the Gift Aid box, the charity can reclaim the 20% basic rate tax you've already paid on that money. A £100 donation becomes £125. The charity claims this directly from HMRC — it costs you nothing extra.
For Higher Rate Taxpayers
If you pay tax at 40% or above, you can claim the difference between your rate and the basic rate (20%) through Self Assessment. On a £100 donation (£125 gross), a 40% taxpayer claims back £25, making the real cost just £75.
The Tax Requirement
You must have paid at least as much UK Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the tax year as all the charities will reclaim on your donations. If you're a non-taxpayer or haven't paid enough, don't declare Gift Aid — or you may owe HMRC the difference.
What Qualifies
Gift Aid applies to monetary donations to UK-registered charities or CASCs. It doesn't cover donations where you receive something substantial in return, like event tickets, auction items, or membership benefits. Small "token" gifts (up to 25% of the donation, max £2,500) are allowed.
Common Gift Aid Mistakes
- 1.
Declaring Gift Aid when you haven't paid enough tax
If your total Gift Aid claims exceed the tax you've paid, you'll owe HMRC the shortfall. This commonly catches retirees or part-time workers with low earnings.
- 2.
Higher rate taxpayers not claiming their relief
Many higher rate taxpayers forget to claim the extra 20-25% tax relief through Self Assessment. This can be worth hundreds of pounds per year if you donate regularly.
- 3.
Not ticking the Gift Aid box
An estimated £560 million in Gift Aid goes unclaimed each year. Always tick the box if you're an eligible UK taxpayer — it costs you nothing but boosts every donation by 25%.
- 4.
Forgetting Gift Aid on small donations
The Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) lets charities claim a Gift Aid-style top-up on small cash donations up to £30 without a declaration. But for online and larger donations, a declaration is still needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's Next?
Take-Home Pay Calculator
See your full salary breakdown to check you pay enough tax for Gift Aid.
Calculate nowSelf-Employed Tax Calculator
Calculate your tax if self-employed — Gift Aid works for sole traders too.
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