For the most up to date information on tax efficient giving, please check the HMRC website here. We recommend you consult a professional financial advisor before making important decisions around your finances.
Gift Aid for individuals
In the UK, if you are a UK taxpayer, charities can claim back 25p for every £1 you donate, making your donation even more impactful. If you have confirmed that we may claim Gift Aid on your donations, thank you.
Gift Aid is a government-run scheme that allows Rethink Mental Illnessto reclaim tax that you have already paid on your donations. To qualify for Gift Aid, if you pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current year than the amount of Gift Aid you claim, it is your responsibility to pay the difference. If your circumstances change at any time, please let us know.
If you’re a higher-rate taxpayer
You can claim back the difference between the tax you’ve paid on the donation and what the charity got back when you fill in your Self Assessment tax return. It’s the same if you live in Scotland. You can do this either through your Self Assessment tax return or by contacting HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and asking them to amend your tax code.
To update your details for your Gift Aid declaration
- Complete this online form
- Email supportercare@rethink.org
- Or call 0207 840 3131 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm)
For further information, visit the HMRC's website here.
Gift Aid for companies
UK limited companies can usually claim Corporation Tax relief on qualifying charitable donations by deducting the value of donations from their taxable profits. Businesses should seek advice from their accountant or tax adviser regarding their specific circumstances
For more information, please contact corporates@rethink.org.
Payroll giving
Read all about payroll giving here.
Through Payroll Giving, donations are taken from your pay before Income Tax is deducted, meaning the actual cost to you will be lower than the amount received by the charity. The amount of tax relief depends on your rate of Income Tax. You can find out which tax bracket you are in via the government’s website.
Some employers who have Payroll Giving schemes will offer to match your donations with donations of their own. That means that, subject to some limits, the donations that your chosen charity receives are doubled. Check with your Payroll team and find out if you can donate via Payroll giving.
For further information you can visit the government's payroll giving page.
Donating assets and ‘chattels’
You do not have to pay tax on land, property or shares you donate to charity. This includes selling them for less than their market value.
You get tax relief on both:
- Income Tax
- Capital Gains Tax
As an added benefit, you won’t have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on any uplift in value to the date of the gift to the charity.
For further information, visit the government's website here.
The tax treatment of gifts of artworks, collectibles and other valuable items can vary depending on the asset and your circumstances. We recommend seeking professional tax advice before making such a gift.
If you would like to make a donation of something other than money to Rethink Mental Illness please:
- Email supportercare@rethink.org
- Or call 0207 840 3131 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm)
Gifts in Wills
Read all about leaving a gift in your Will.
Leaving a gift in your Will is probably the most important gift you can make. And it will cost you nothing. Leaving a gift in your Will to charity can also be tax effective, particularly if you are leaving your estate (all your possessions, savings, property, land etc), or a percentage of your estate.
If at least 10% of the net estate is left to charity, the inheritance tax rate on the remaining estate may be reduced from 40% to 36%, which reduces tax burden. It may also shift the balance of your estate so that others who are inheriting may not have to pay as much inheritance tax.
Although leaving a gift in your Will is easy (link to relevant page), understanding the tax implications may be more complicated, so if in doubt, please consult a professional financial advisor.
Charitable Trusts
You may want to set up a trust to manage the finances of someone you care for who you want to protect after your death. This could be a Discretionary Trust, which gives trustees flexibility over how and when assets are used for beneficiaries. Trusts can have different tax implications depending on their type and circumstances, so professional advice should be sought.
You can read more about this kind of trust here.
You can also find out more about the different types of trust and how they are taxed from GOV.UK.
You may also wish to establish a charitable trust, either during your lifetime or through your Will, to hold and manage assets for charitable purposes. Charitable trusts can qualify for tax exemptions where the relevant conditions are met. The tax treatment depends on the structure of the trust and the type of gift involved, so professional advice should always be sought.
Find out more about charity structures and tax reliefs for charities.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)
To manage high-value charitable giving without establishing your own charitable trust or foundation, a Donor-Advised Fund can be an effective alternative.
Find out more about Donor Advised Funds here.
Updated October 2026
If you find any broken links or you are unsure about any of the information provided, please email info@rethink.org.