If you are a higher rate taxpayer and donate to charity with Gift Aid, you are entitled to claim back an extra 20p for every £1 you donate. Most higher rate donors never claim it — leaving hundreds of pounds of tax relief unclaimed each year. Here is exactly how to get it in 2026/27.
How Gift Aid Works: The Three-Party System
Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows UK-registered charities to reclaim basic rate Income Tax on donations from taxpayers.
When you donate £80 and tick the Gift Aid box:
- The charity claims 20% basic rate tax from HMRC — turning your £80 into £100 for the charity
- As a higher rate (40%) taxpayer, you can reclaim the remaining 20% (£20) via Self Assessment
- Net cost to you: £60 — charity received £100
| Taxpayer rate | Donated | Charity receives | You reclaim | Net cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic rate (20%) | £80 | £100 | £0 | £80 |
| Higher rate (40%) | £80 | £100 | £20 | £60 |
| Additional rate (45%) | £80 | £100 | £25 | £55 |
Key Figures for 2026/27
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Basic rate relief (claimed by charity) | 20% |
| Additional relief for higher rate taxpayers | 20% more |
| Additional relief for additional rate taxpayers | 25% more |
| Higher rate threshold | £50,270 |
| Additional rate threshold | £125,140 |
How to Claim on Self Assessment
- Log in to your HMRC online account or use commercial tax software
- Navigate to ‘Charitable giving’ in the Self Assessment return
- Enter total Gift Aid donations paid during the year (the amount you paid, not the grossed-up amount)
- HMRC grosses up your donations automatically (multiplies by 100/80) and applies higher rate relief
- The relief reduces your tax bill or generates a repayment
You must have kept your Gift Aid declarations — HMRC can ask for evidence that each donation was made under Gift Aid.
Worked Example: How Much Can You Claim?
David earns £75,000 and donates £1,200 to various charities under Gift Aid during 2026/27.
Grossed-up donation: £1,200 × (100/80) = £1,500
Basic rate relief (claimed by charities): £1,500 × 20% = £300 → goes to charities
Higher rate relief (David’s claim): £1,500 × 20% = £300 → returned to David via Self Assessment
So David’s £1,200 in donations effectively cost him £900 net, while charities received £1,500.
The Hidden Benefit: Adjusted Net Income Reduction
Gift Aid donations reduce your adjusted net income — the figure HMRC uses to assess several income-related thresholds. The grossed-up donation amount is deducted from adjusted net income.
This can help you:
| Threshold | Adjusted net income relevance |
|---|---|
| Personal allowance taper (£100,000) | Donating reduces adjusted net income — recovers personal allowance at 60p per £1 |
| High Income Child Benefit Charge (£60,000–£80,000) | Reduces adjusted net income, reducing or eliminating the charge |
| Higher rate band (£50,270) | Extends basic rate band by grossed-up donation — more income taxed at 20% |
Example: recovering Personal Allowance Emma earns £106,000. Her personal allowance is tapered (loses £1 for every £2 above £100,000). She makes a £4,800 Gift Aid donation (grossed up: £6,000). Her adjusted net income becomes £100,000 — her full £12,570 personal allowance is restored, saving her £2,514 in additional tax, on top of the standard higher rate Gift Aid relief.
Carrying Back Donations
You can elect on your Self Assessment return to treat a donation made in the current tax year as if it was made in the previous tax year. Useful if:
- Last year’s income was higher (e.g. a one-off bonus)
- You want to offset a tax bill from last year
- You made a large donation in April or May 2026 but want it counted for 2025/26
The election must be made on or before the filing deadline for the prior year’s return (31 January 2027 for 2025/26).
What If You Do Not Complete a Self Assessment Return?
If you are a PAYE employee who does not normally file a Self Assessment return, you can still claim Gift Aid higher rate relief by:
- Writing to HMRC directly
- Calling HMRC and asking them to adjust your tax code
- Filing a Self Assessment return voluntarily for the year in question
HMRC recommends registering for Self Assessment if your annual Gift Aid donations are significant — it is the most reliable route to ensure you receive the relief promptly.
Keeping Records
Keep a record of:
- Each donation amount and date
- The charity’s name and Gift Aid declaration number (if applicable)
- Confirmation that each charity has the donation under Gift Aid
HMRC can request evidence within four years of the tax year in question.
See our Self Assessment guide, adjusted net income and the £100k trap, and high income child benefit charge.