Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I fill in a gift aid declaration?
Filling in the Gift Aid Declaration will enable us to to claim back from the Inland Revenue, approximately £28 for every £100 given (that being the amount of tax at the basic rate you will have paid on the money you are giving).
As you can imagine, this provides a significant increase in our income in return for a little paperwork.
What if my financial circumstances change such that I wish to reduce or even stop my giving?
You are simply stating your intention to give to bristol vineyard. If your circumstances change for unforseen reasons, you are free to stop your giving; we just ask you to inform us in writing.
What if i’d like to increase my giving?
Just fill in a new standing order form, or increase your cash or cheque donations as appropriate; the gift aid declaration will automatically cover you for the new amount.
What if I leave bristol vineyard or for some other reason wish to cease giving?
The same applies. You are not tied in any way. Just let us and the bank know.
What if I cease to be a tax payer?
Let us know immediately so that we can cease claiming tax back from Inland Revenue at the appropriate point in the tax year (we may be able to claim tax back on gifts after your change of circumstances, due to the amount of tax you may have already paid that year).
How often shall I make payments?
Weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually - although monthly is preferable for us as it makes our financial management easier.
What if I wish to give an additional one off gift?
This is fine and can be made for any amount. The Gift Aid Declaration you have made in this form means that we are able to claim the tax you have paid on any amount you give, back from the tax office.
If I give by cash or cheque, how do I ensure the tax can be claimed back on my gift?
By naming the gift. If giving by cheque, just mark all cheques on the back with the words ‘Gift Aid’. If giving by cash, please use the envelopes provided on the information desk.
What happens to the money I give?
Stewarding God’s money well is a high priority for us. Every effort is made to ensure money is used responsibly and wisely. Checks are in place to ensure the money is used well, and to prevent wastage or theft.
As both Charitable Trust and Charitable Company, we are governed by Charity and Company law. Our accounts are submitted annually, and our Trustees (who receive monthly copies of the income and expenditure) ensure the money is used for the purpose for which it was given. Copies of the accounts are available to members of bristol vineyard; just contact the church office if you would like to see them.
Giving if you are not a taxpayer (by standing order)
If you are not a tax payer (i.e. you are a student or perhaps are not earning enough to pay tax this year), you should simply fill in the Banker’s Order form and ignore the Gift Aid Declaration. Filling in the Banker’s Order form will be very helpful to yourself and the church for a number of reasons.
The benefits to you:
It enables you to work out how much you want to give each month or each year, and for that to happen until you want to change it, without your having to think about it again.
You don’t need to bring cash or a cheque-book to church, or remember when you’ve missed Sundays, because your giving will happen automatically.
It helps you keep track of how much you are giving, because it automatically appears on your bank statement.
You can stop giving in this way at any time, should you wish to, by simply informing the church and your bank.
The benefits to the church:
It saves on the banking of separate cheques and cash.
It enables your giving to automatically register on the computerised accounts and the church bank statements.
It enables us to budget and plan ahead more effectively, knowing the regular amounts coming in.
Of course, if you wish to give and you are not a tax payer and also do not want to give through banking systems, you may simply give through the collection and ignore the forms in this document.