Gift Aid

Making your donation go much further.

gift aid - person holding a heart-shaped gift above a cardboard box

If you’re a UK taxpayer, you can increase the value of your donation by 25%, at no extra cost to you, through the UK Government’s Gift Aid scheme. 

For every £1 you donate, Sight Research UK can claim an additional 25p because we are a registered charity. It’s a simple way to make an even bigger impact. 

How to add Gift Aid to your donation: 

  • Go to our Donate page, and complete the Gift Aid declaration at the same time  
  • Complete our online Gift Aid form  
  • Download a printable form and send it in with your cheque  

If your tax circumstances change, or you need to update your name or address, you can: 

  • Fill in the form  
  • Call us on 0117 325 7757 

Thank you for helping us bring clarity to those living with sight loss. 

Below are some common questions you’ve asked about Gift Aid, but for more detailed information please visit the HMRC website on Gift Aid.

No, it’s taken from tax you’ve already paid. If you stop paying enough tax, you must inform the charities you support, as you’ll be responsible for repaying any difference to HMRC.

You must have paid enough Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax in the UK to cover the Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in a tax year. VAT and Council Tax don’t count. Visit the HMRC website for more details.

Gift Aid applies to personal donations made from your own funds. It doesn’t apply to: 

  • Raffle tickets, sweepstakes, or event entry fees  
  • Donations made on behalf of others or groups  
  • Company donations  

Donations from non-UK taxpayers.

HMRC requires your full name and home address to validate your Gift Aid declaration. Please let us know if your details change.

If you have stopped paying tax or wish to cancel, contact us via the online form, email hello@sightresearchuk.org, or call 0117 325 7757.

It covers past, present, and future donations. We can claim Gift Aid for up to four years retrospectively and will continue unless you tell us otherwise. Please do let us know if you wish to cancel your declaration. 

Yes, as long as you’ve paid enough tax to cover all the Gift Aid claimed. You’ll need to complete a declaration for each charity. If you have not paid enough tax, it is your responsibility to replay any difference.

You can claim the difference between your tax rate and the basic rate on your donations via your Self-Assessment tax return or by contacting HMRC.