During these extraordinary times, there are thousands of people whose needs have become greater and are counting on the grassroots organisations which we fund for physical, financial and emotional support.

We support a variety of charities and voluntary groups across Kingston upon Thames who address inequalities and work together to create opportunities for those that need help the most.

Tax Benefits

As a registered charity, giving to the Kingston Charitable Foundation can result in highly attractive tax relief on donations. The government gives tax incentives for giving to charities. It is not considered tax avoidance; indeed, it is encouraged by government and HMRC publish advice on how it is applied.

Gift Aid is the most well-known form of tax relief. Gift Aid means that if you are a UK taxpayer, HMRC will contribute an additional 25% to your gifts to charity. Gifts can be made from either income or capital, but for every £1,000 you give as a charitable donation, Kingston Charitable Foundation will receive a total of £1,250 at absolutely no additional cost to you.

Please note that a UK taxpayer must be paying at least as much tax as is equal to the projected Gift Aid relief in order to qualify. If you are a higher rate or additional rate taxpayer, you are entitled to further tax relief on charitable donations, as you are able to reclaim the difference between your tax rate (40% or 45%) and the basic rate (20%).

This can result in considerable tax relief for you, and when combined with Gift Aid, it can also boost the value of your gift to Kingston Charitable Foundation. In order to maximise tax relief, a donation can be backdated to the previous tax year as long as the payment is made prior to submitting your tax return. Whilst you may be aware that inheritance tax becomes due on gifts you leave to individuals within the seven years prior to your death, this is not the case for gifts made to charity.

You can make a gift to charity at any point during your lifetime and it will always be exempt from inheritance tax.