1. Monthly tax-efficient “Gift Aid” donations

All you have to do is sign a “Gift Aid Declaration” stating that you are a UK tax payer and set up a monthly standing order directly to the church’s bank account. You can do both these things very simply by filling in the giving form at the back of the church lounge, (or printing off the form here on the website) and returning it to Sally Shillito via the S pigeon hole at Emmanuel.

Once you have signed the “Gift Aid Declaration” you can also make additional one-off donations to the church tax-efficiently.

And, if your financial circumstances change, you are completely free to reduce the amount you give or stop altogether. All you have to do is to tell your bank to change the standing order.

2. One-off “Gift Aid” donations

All you have to do is sign a “Gift Aid Declaration” stating that you are a UK tax payer. You can fill in the giving form at the back of the church lounge, (or print off the form here on the website) and return it to Sally Shillito via the S pigeon hole at Emmanuel.

Once you have signed the “Gift Aid Declaration” you can make as many single tax-efficient donations to the church as you like without having to fill in another form.

3. Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)

CAF and similar charitable organisations are unconnected with the church but provide a means of making charitable donations in a tax-efficient way in return for a small charge. This method of donation has become less favourable since the tax authorities simplified the Gift Aid system.

The advantages of tax-efficient giving

Where gifts are made in any of these ways, the church (or CAF) can reclaim tax at the basic rate, which from April 2008 has been reduced to 20% (See "Giving to Emmanuel" for details of the transitional relief enabling Emmanuel to reclaim at the old higher rate until April 2011). Thus, for every £78 donated, the church (or CAF) receives an extra £22 from the government.

If you are fortunate enough to pay tax at the higher (40%) rate, you can also recover the extra 20% for yourself on the completion of your tax return. Thus, on a donation of £780, the revenue pays an extra £220 to the church and gives you back £200.