Our Lady Star of the Sea

Donations and Gift Aid


envelopes

A Personal Message from Father Antony

Firstly, we want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continuing generosity in these financially difficult times. Without your support we could neither maintain our parish life and parish family with the worship of Christ in the way we do now. We are very aware of the straightened times in which we live, and are grateful for all  who continue to help in the vital work of upkeeping our parish.

As, with yourselves, the bills for the parish do keep arriving!

These bills are met by the generosity of your donations to the weekly offerings.

Opportunities for giving can be found in the ‘Offerings / Gift Aid pages of the website.

Of course you have an opportunity during ‘the Offertory’ to make your donation, but, if you are a UK Tax Payer you can sign-up to ‘Gift Aid’ your donation. This does not commit you to any, or regular, donation but every for every donation you do make we can claim an additional 25 per cent from the Government. I would ask you to consider if you could support the parish in this way. Gift Aid Declaration forms are available at the back of church or via this website and when completed you will be given a box of donation envelopes.

Many thanks


Father Anthony / Mary Pollard (Gift Aid Organiser)

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WHAT IS GIFT AID AND WHO CAN JOIN?

Gift Aid is a method, approved by HMRC, of substantially increasing the value of your offerings at absolutely no cost or inconvenience to you. Your donations are whatever you feel you can afford and need not be a fixed commitment. Whatever you give is gratefully received as your personal support to the Parish. Gift Aid can be applied to all your donations whether regular or occasional and you can stop, start or vary what you pay whenever you decide; and no one will ‘chase’ you for money.

If you are happy to confirm this statement on the application form........

I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

.....then you are eligible to join the Gift Aid Scheme

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GIFT AID ?

Our Parish, as a registered charity, is allowed to reclaim all of the basic rate income tax which you have paid on any funds given to us under the Gift Aid Scheme.

HOW MUCH IS THIS WORTH TO THE PARISH?

Currently we can reclaim from the Government an extra 25 pence for every pound you give

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT MY TAX RETURN?

If you pay Income Tax at either the Lower or Basic Rate then Gift Aid will not normally affect you, unless the amount we seek to reclaim from HMRC exceeds or is likely to exceed the total tax you will pay in the tax year. Your total ‘Tax Paid’ for the year includes both Income Tax and any Capital Gains Tax paid on the sale of shares or investments.

HOW MUCH TAX IS RECLAIMABLE ON A GIFT OF £260 A YEAR (£5 per week) ?

For example, if your donation was £5.00 per week, the Parish would be able to claim an extra £65.00 thus boosting your annual gift of £260 to £325 at absolutely no cost to you. Similarly if you pay £1000 per annum your gift will be transformed into £1250.

WHAT IFTHE AMOUNT OF TAX TO BE RECLAIMED IS MORE THAN THE TAX I PAID?

In the unlikely event that you will not pay enough tax, just contact the Gift Aid Organiser

I AM A HIGHER RATE TAX PAYER, HOW WILL THIS EFFECT ME?

As a higher rate tax payer you are allowed to reclaim for yourself the difference between the Basic and Higher Rates of Tax (currently 20%). Thus, an offering of £260, less your tax refund, would actually cost you only £208, but the Parish would still have received £325.

HOW WILL I KNOW HOW MUCH I HAVE GIVEN THE PARISH EACH YEAR ?

If you wish, the Gift Aid organiser will send you a letter each year with details of your donation

IF I JOIN GIFT AID AND CEASE TO BE A TAX PAYER CAN I CANCEL EASILY ?

Yes. You can ring or write to the Gift Aid Organiser at any time.

WILL THE AMOUNT OF MY OFFERINGS BE KNOWN TO ANYONE IN THE PARISH ?

You will be allocated a Personal Identification Number known only to you and to the Gift Aid Organiser. The amounts you give can only be identified by the Gift Aid Organiser who keeps all such information strictly confidential.

HOW DO I MAKE MY OFFERINGS ?

Every gift whether large or small is greatly valued, but if you feel able to make a regular monthly donation, a Bank Standing Order form is available. This can be downloading  a paper copy from this link  Standing Order form or you can collect one from  the Parish Office. Any envelope labelled with your membership number, may be used for regular or extra donations.  Guidance notes can be downloaded here 

Personalised weekly envelopes with your membership number, can be issued and envelopes are also available from the Gift Aid Coordinator. Mary Pollard. Your Christmas & Easter donations for the Clergy can also be Gift Aided.

WHAT ABOUT SECOND COLLECTIONS AND EASTER AND CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS ?

If you are not using the Official Gift Aid Envelopes, you can still use the Envelopes which you can request from Mary Pollard our Gift Aid Co-ordinator. Please add your Personal Number (or your name if you have not yet signed up to the Gift Aid Scheme) on the envelope so that we can identify it for tax purposes.

HOW DO I JOIN THE GIFT AID SCHEME?

It's easy. Just click this link  Gift Aid Form Link to join the scheme on line

Alternatively you can click here to download a  Gift Aid Form  

Please send any queries our Gift Aid Coordinator

Click here to e mail our Gift Aid Coordinator

  • 96 Dock Rd
  • Tilbury
  • Essex
  • RM18 7BT

01375 842309
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