Murray Beith Murray LLP is a leading Scottish private client law firm.
For 175 years we have specialised in meeting the legal, financial and administrative needs of individuals and families, family trusts, charities and private companies.
Murray Beith Murray LLP is a leading Scottish private client law firm.
For 175 years we have specialised in meeting the legal, financial and administrative needs of individuals and families, family trusts, charities and private companies.
As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reaches into almost every aspect of our lives, the demand on many charity services are seeing an unprecedented rise and funding has never been more important. You may be considering how you can help a cause which is important to you, at this time, and this blog considers how you can donate in ways that are tax efficient to you, and which can benefit your chosen charity also.
One of the lesser known, but highly advantageous, tax reliefs available to individual taxpayers comes in the form of Share Aid.
Many taxpayers currently make donations to charity through the Gift Aid scheme, under which the charity, and the taxpayer if they pay tax above the basic rate, can obtain tax relief through a cash donation made to the charity. However, non and low-income taxpayers, should note that if making a cash donation to charity under the Gift Aid scheme, unless they have paid enough tax at source to frank the Gift Aid donation, an income tax charge will be incurred in their hands.
However, transferring shares to a charity from your own investment portfolio under the Share Aid scheme would provide maximum tax relief to the taxpayer, a potential income stream for the charity and a valuable asset for the charity to either hold for the future or sell, with no tax consequences.
Taxpayers obtain tax relief through Share Aid by the market value of the shares transferred being taken as a straight deduction from the taxpayer’s overall income (in much the same way as the personal allowance). This relief can benefit anyone who has paid any tax on their income; it is not exclusively a benefit to individual’s paying tax above the basic rate.
In contrast, a Gift Aid donation simply extends the taxpayer’s basic rate band, allowing tax which would previously have been taxed at the higher rate, to be taxed at the basic rate.
If you wished to donate shares to a qualifying charity under Share Aid, most stockbrokers will be well versed in carrying out these transactions and should be able to arrange this prior to the end of the tax year.
Murray Beith Murray remains committed to providing you with our usual service during this unprecedented time. If this blog has raised any questions, or you would like to discuss your tax position, please get in touch with one of our tax experts on 0131 225 1200 or complete our contact form.
Murray Beith Murray was established in 1849, as advisors for generations of clients, committed to our values of integrity, expertise and trust. This aim and these values continue to this day as does our commitment to be here when you need us.
