Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to see the questions often asked by employees. If you have a question that is not answered here please send us an e mail info@charitiestrust.org or call 0151 286 5129.
Questions
What happens if I change my job?
Can I ask for a refund of my donations?
What if I want to change the charities I support?
When will my charity receive my donation?
Does my employer have to know which charities I donate to?
Will my details be passed to the charities I donate to?
Can I claim Gift Aid on Payroll Giving donations?
Are there any limits on how much I can donate via Payroll Giving?
Can I give to more than one charity?
Can anyone give to charity via Payroll Giving?
When will the government match cease to be added to my donation?
Answers
What happens if I change my job?
If you change your job within the same organisation your payroll giving instructions will transfer with you.
If you move to a job with a new company you will need to sign up to payroll giving with the new employer.If your new employer does not have a payroll giving scheme Charities Trust would be delighted to help them set one up - it's very easy
Can I ask for a refund of my donations?
No - once your employer has deducted your Payroll giving donation from your pay it must be paid to the charity you have selected.
Can I stop my donations?
Yes - just inform your payroll department and they will no longer wish to make Payroll Giving doantions.
If you are moving employer and wish to continue at your new place of work, it might be an idea to ask them during your induction. If they do not have a Payroll Giving scheme in place, pass on Charities Trust's details and we will be happy to help them set up a scheme.What if I want to change the charities I support?
All you have to do is inform Charities Trust Payroll Giving administration department. You can download a charity selection form, fill it in with your new instructions and post or fax it to us. Or you can e mail us - please include details of your employer, your employee or payroll number, your name and addresss and state clearly what changes you want to make. support@charitiestrust.org
When will my charity receive my donation?
Generally it works like this:
A: PAYROLL GIVING Your employer deducts your Payroll Giving donation in month 1, passes all the donations to us in month 2, in month 3 the money is paid out to the nominated charities. Pay out dates are towards the end of each month; electronic payments (by BACS) arrive faster than cheque payments.
B: FREEDOM ACCOUNT DONATIONS are paid out at the end of the month. The cut off date is about a week before the end of the month so for example a donation made on 30th of the month would not be paid to the charity until the following month.
C: ONE OFF DONATIONS made by credit or debit card are paid to charities at the end of the month together with payroll giving donations. The cut off date is about a week before the end of the month so for example a donation made on 30th of the month would not be paid to the charity until the following month.
D: GIFT AID is claimed on a monthly basis and normally takes 4 - 6 weeks to be processed by HMRC. On receipt of the Gift Aid the funds are allocated to the appropriate charities and will be paid out at the next payout at the end of each month. Gift Aid will be added to Freedom Accounts as the funds are received from HMRC.
Does my employer have to know which charities I donate to?
Yes and No
If you complete the charity selection form, you will possibly include the details of the charity you have selected.
However if you do not wish your employer to know which charities you wish to nominate, you have two options:
1st - Open a Freedom Account which is your very own personal charity account.
2nd - Nominate the amount of doantion on the charity selection form provided by your employer leaving the nominated charity blank. Once the donation has been deducted contact Charities Trust administration team via email at info@charitiestrust.org or call on 087070 87878.
You may want to consider a voucher account which gives more flexibility - click on the voucher account tab at the top of the page
Will my details be passed to the charities I donate to?
Charities Trust offers a statement service to charities. This gives charities details of their payroll giving donors. Most charities (though not all) opt for this service so that they can thank their donors and offer them the opportunity to keep in touch. However if you do not want your details passed to your charity please tick the opt out box on the payroll giving form. Your donation would then be recorded on the charity statement as "anonymous"
I'm a higher rate tax payer - can I claim tax relief on my Payroll Giving donations on my Self Assement tax return?
No - you received tax relief at your highest rate of tax when the donation was deducted from your pay. If you pay tax at 40% each £1 you pledged only cost you 60p so no further tax relief can be claimed.
To assist you with keeping records of donations to charities, you may wish to open your own personal charity account with Charities Trust, for more inform ation visit; www.myfreedomaccount.orgCan I claim Gift Aid on Payroll Giving donations?
No - you receive tax relief at source on your payroll giving donations so no further tax can be claimed
Are there any limits on how much I can donate via Payroll Giving?
There are no upper limits to how much you can give through Payroll Giving - these were removed in 2000. Your employer may have a minimum donation level; Charities Trust recommends a minimum donation of £1 per month (or 25p per week)
Can I give to more than one charity?
One of the benefits of payroll giving is that is it easy to support more than one charity with one regular donation. Simply decide the total amount you want deducted from your pay - your employer has to have this information. Then let Charities Trust know how you want your donation split and we will do the rest.
The 25p Payroll Giving adminsitration charge (unless your employer pays this on your behalf) is plit equally amongst your chosen charities, for example if you wish to give £5.00 per month, and you choose 5 charities, each charity would receive 95p.
How do I choose a charity?
There are thousands of charities and good causes that need and will welcome your support.
You can search the Charities Trust database of charities - click on the Charity tab at the top of the page or for charities in England and Wales the Charity Commission site
Search the Charity Commission site
Your donations don't have to go just to registered charities - other recognised good causes such as places of worship, school groups etc also qualify.
Contact Charities Trust if you want to check if your preferred cause is eligible - Call 087070 87878 or email us info@charitiestrust.org
Can anyone give to charity via Payroll Giving?
Anyone who is paid by an employer and has PAYE deducted from their pay can donate via Payroll Giving. Pensioners who receive payments from their company pension scheme are included and receive the same tax benefits.
When will the government match cease to be added to my donation?
The last deductions to receive the government match will be those taken from your March 2007 salary.
