Charities

Gift Aid small donations scheme

The maximum annual donation amount that can be claimed through the Gift Aid small donations scheme will increase from £5,000 to £8,000. This will take effect from April 2016, allowing charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs to claim Gift Aid top-up payments of up to £2,000 a year.

Charity authorised investment funds

The government is working with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Charity Investors’ Group and the Charity Commission to introduce a new Charity Authorised Investment Fund structure. This will bring new investment funds established for charitable purposes under FCA regulation, ensuring that they receive the same regulatory oversight and protections as funds for retail investors.

Search and rescue charities, hospices and blood bikes

Search and rescue, air ambulance and hospice charities will be eligible for VAT refunds from 1 April 2015, as announced in the Autumn Statement 2014. The VAT refunds scheme will be extended to blood bike charities from the same date.