WEST LANCASHIRE FREEMASONS’ CHARITY
Our Masonic grants start at £1
MAKING A DONATION
Like most charities the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity relies heavily on donations to carry out important work. We depend on donations made by Freemasons in West Lancashire. There are a variety of different means of contributing towards the charity and we are able to accept payments both large and small, as regular payments or one off.
“Your help can make a profound difference to someone’s life”
Gift Aid envelopes
The most effective method for an individual to make a donation is by completing a Gift Aid Declaration as the fund is able to recover the income tax paid from the HM Revenue and Customs, currently 25p for each pound donated, thus significantly increasing the value of the donation.
Gift Aid envelope packs and a full description of the scheme are distributed by the charity.
Lodges should note that once the money is in the envelope it belongs to the charity indicated on it.
Cheques should be made payable to “West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity”.
Gift Aid
This is a wonderful way of increasing the value of your donation. Provided that you are a UK taxpayer and the value of your donation does not exceed your taxable income and capital gains during the year, for every £10 you donate the charity can claim a further £2.50 from the taxman!
The appropriate form can be downloaded here. We are able to accept regular payments by standing order which can also benefit from Gift Aid. Detailed guidance notes on the use of gift aid are available here.
Higher rate taxpayers
If you are a higher rate taxpayer, you can claim the difference between the higher rate of tax and the basic rate of tax on the total value to the charity of your donation (the ‘gross donation’).
You make this claim on your Self Assessment tax return. However, if you do not pay tax, you should not use Gift Aid.
Making a donation
By lodges and chapters – Cheques should be made payable to “West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity”.
Paying tax refunds to the charity
The Government wants to encourage individuals and businesses to give more to charities and so offers a range of tax incentives (income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax) which help you, the charities concerned or both. If you complete a Self-Assessment return, SA donate even enables you to donate any tax refund directly to your chosen charity.
These tax incentives are only available for UK tax payers making gifts to UK charities. Depending on the type of gift you make you may have to make a claim to receive the tax relief (either on your Self-Assessment return or by writing to your own tax office). This information is obtained from the HM Revenue and Customs website and is Crown copyright.
Bequests
Individuals may wish to leave money or assets to the charity in their wills thus helping those in less fortunate circumstances to benefit after their death. This is a very effective means for the charity to increase its funds. A leaflet explaining the procedure can be downloaded here. Alternatively a solicitor can arrange this for you.
