The Diocese of Liverpool is one of the few dioceses that offers all parishes the option of joining its Diocesan Gift Aid Scheme to help and simplify their own local administration.
For a small charge of just 5% of the tax they reclaim, parishes can rest easy knowing that our Gift Aid officer, Cath Gaskell, is ensuring the accuracy of all claims, and that all current compliance requirements are being observed.
Advantages of the Diocesan GIft Aid Scheme
- High standard of service: Starting with covenants, the scheme has run for more than 30 years and assists more than 90 parishes and schools to make claims worth £400,000. The scheme makes claiming easier and more accurate, offering up-to-date advice, and often spotting minor errors before they become problems.
- Declaration care: All Gift Aid Declaration forms are provided with the correct wording. We regularly see examples of incorrect wording which can negate a claim so this is no trivial matter. Declarations must be kept for at least six years after the final claim on the Declaration. Under the Scheme all Declarations are checked by the Diocesan Gift Aid Officer and are filed centrally so that these important documents are not mislaid during transition between Gift Aid Secretaries, and are available if required for inspection by HMRC Charities.
- Preparation of claims: Claim forms for both Gift Aid and the new Small Donations Scheme are prepared to be ready for online claiming - all that is required is an authorising signature from the Gift Aid Secretary. Parishes are reminded when claims are outstanding. The Diocese makes the claim to HMRC and will deal with any initial queries from HMRC Charities concerning the claim. The money is paid direct to the parish (where BACs payments are enabled).
- Gift Aid Secretary support: The Diocesan Gift Aid Officer and Resources Officers are here to deal with detailed queries from Gift Aid Secretaries. Parishes on the Scheme benefit from their extra knowledge on the Gift Aid claim history of their own parish. Any change of Gift Aid Secretary for parishes within the Scheme is picked up (we are not always notified of changes in parishes not registered with the Scheme) and the required HMRC Change of Details Form is prepared ready for signing. We can provide training for these new Gift Aid Secretariesif required.
- Regular audits: All parishes on the Scheme may be audited every four years or so, more regularly if they wish, to ensure that the procedures in the parish meet HMRC Charities requirements. Parishes find this a reassuring exercise, and we are able to offer advice, where necessary, on improving the parish’s own Gift Aid Scheme. All new parishes joining the scheme are offered an initial diocesan audit to ensure that all internal processes comply with current HMRC requirements.
Scheme Charges
The charge for all the above services is 5% of the tax claimed under Gift Aid or Small Donations Scheme. Where no tax is claimed, no charge is made.
To join the Diocesan Scheme, or to find out whether your parish is already on the Diocesan Scheme, please contact Cath Gaskell, Gift Aid Officer.