Gift Aid Calculator
Enter a donation amount and your tax band — see what the charity actually receives with Gift Aid and what you can claim back on your tax return.
How it works
Gift Aid lets the charity reclaim the basic-rate tax you already paid on the donated money: your gift is grossed up by 100/80, so every £100 you give becomes £125 for the charity — the charity claims the extra 25p per £1 directly from HMRC. All you do is tick the declaration; you must have paid at least that much income tax or CGT in the year.
Higher and additional-rate taxpayers can then claim PERSONAL relief on the difference between their rate and basic rate, via Self Assessment or a tax code adjustment: £25 per £100 donated at 40%, £31.25 at 45% (HMRC helpsheet HS342). So a £100 donation costs a higher-rate taxpayer only £75 net while the charity receives £125.
Bonus mechanic: Gift Aid donations EXTEND your basic-rate band — powerful if you sit just over £50,270 (child benefit charge) or £100,000 (personal allowance taper): a well-timed donation can restore allowances worth more than the donation's headline relief. HONEST NOTE: if you pay less tax than the charity reclaims, HMRC can bill YOU for the difference — don't Gift Aid if you're a non-taxpayer.
FAQ
How much does the charity get from my Gift Aid donation?
Your donation × 1.25: the charity reclaims the 20% basic-rate tax that was deducted before you earned the money, worked as gross-up (donation × 100/80). £20 becomes £25, £100 becomes £125, £1,000 becomes £1,250 — at no extra cost to you. The only condition is that you've paid at least that much UK income tax or capital gains tax in the same tax year and made a Gift Aid declaration.
How do I claim higher-rate relief on donations?
Through Self Assessment (the "charitable giving" boxes) or by asking HMRC to adjust your tax code. The relief equals the difference between your marginal rate and basic rate applied to the GROSSED-UP donation: at 40% that works out to 25p back per £1 donated; at 45%, 31.25p. Many higher-rate donors never claim this — it is one of the most commonly unclaimed reliefs in the UK. You can also carry a donation back one tax year if you file before the deadline.
Can Gift Aid reduce my child benefit charge or restore my personal allowance?
Yes — grossed-up Gift Aid donations reduce your "adjusted net income", which is the figure used for both the High Income Child Benefit Charge (£50,270+ threshold) and the £100,000 personal allowance taper. Someone at £102,000 donating £1,600 (£2,000 grossed) brings adjusted income to £100,000, restoring £1,000 of personal allowance worth £400 — on top of the £500 higher-rate relief. Around those cliff edges, giving is exceptionally tax-efficient.