Long live the charity tax forum
The economic secretary to The Treasury, Justine Greening has responded to Peter Fanning’s letter of 13 October on the recommendations of the Gift Aid Forum (which had its final meeting on 30 November).
The letters are downloadable from HM Treasury’s website.
She confirms:
- HMRC will explore the viability of online filing of Gift Aid claims but cannot fund the creation of a Gift Aid database. However it will work with the sector “to ensure any database created meets the legislative and audit requirements” and is developing some “intelligent forms” for charities in 2011 which will ‘bring many benefits for charities by helping them make accurate claims” as well as reducing common errors.
- She wanted to examine Payroll Giving to see what could be done to improve take-up and its operation, but does not intend to bring it within Gift Aid as it gives all tax relief to the donor.
- The redirection of the relief on higher rate donations to charities was something she has asked HMRC to take forward as part of its work with the HMRC Charity Tax Forum.
- There is interest in the potential of harnessing internet and mobile phone technology to deliver new ways of giving to a new generation of donors and the charity representatives are encouraged to keep HMRC updated on these.
Charity Finance Directors’ Group (CFDG) welcomed the formation of the new HMRC Charity Tax Forum, but expressed disappointment that the government has failed to outline a timeline for the standardisation or simplification reforms.
Stephen Bubb at ACEVO while also disappointed at what he calls “a collective failure to achieve more for the sector at a time of need”, welcomed the silver lining in the minister’s commitment to leaving “no stone unturned” in looking at other ways to support the sector through the tax system.
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/8519.htm
Author: Clarissa Dann
Clarissa Dann was the editor of Caritas as well as an HR and management online service,he People Bulletin until July 2011.
She is now the editor of the specialist trade finance magazine, Trade and Forfaiting Review which can be viewed at www.tfreview.com but does write on charity finance and investment from time to time.
Clarissa has a background in legal and professional publishing, as well as business journalism and holds an MBA from
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