Tax Effective Giving

As a registered charity (no. 311445), Westcott encourages all donors who are UK taxpayers to complete a Gift Aid declaration, enabling us to reclaim income tax at the basic rate on gifts to the House. This effectively means that a gift of £500 is worth £641.02 or a pledge of just £20 a month is worth more than £1,500 over five years. There are additional benefits for higher rate taxpayers, who can reclaim the difference between basic and higher rates on charitable gifts when completing their self-assessment returns.

Westcott has benefited greatly in the past from the generosity of former students who have remembered the House in their will. Gifts to registered charities made through a Legacy fall outside the estate for inheritance tax purposes. A legacy could support the permanent endowment of Westcott House, or could be dedicated to a building or other project. For more information about ways to remember Westcott House in your will, please contact the Development Office.

Gifts of Stocks and Shares are also a tax effective way to support Westcott House. Gifts of stocks and shares to a registered charity are not liable to capital gains tax, and the value of a gift – including associated disposal costs can be set against income. Many charities have benefited from "windfall" shares – for example in demutualised building societies – given by their supporters, or from the rationalisation of portfolios. We are happy to discuss this option informally, but would recommend that you take advice from a broker.

The Development Office can provide more information on all of these options, together with information on Tax Effective Giving for US Citizens, giving through the Self-Assessment Form, Payroll Giving, gifts of Land or Property, and charitable giving for Businesses. You can download a Gift Aid Declaration, Bankers Order, or Pledge form from this page.

Please do contact the Development Office if you would like to talk about the best way for you to support Westcott House.