These official starting points can help you check charity registration, Gift Aid eligibility and claiming requirements. Rules and contact details change, so use the linked authority’s current page rather than relying on an old summary or a fixed payment time estimate.
Set up and regulate a charity
- Set up a charity on GOV.UK explains the main steps for England and Wales and links to different rules for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- The Charity Commission for England and Wales provides registration, trustee and ongoing compliance guidance.
Gift Aid and HMRC
- Claim Gift Aid online sets out the current online service and prerequisites.
- Claim tax back on donations using Charities Online explains the HMRC process.
- HMRC charities and CASC enquiries is the current contact route for account and repayment questions.
Before using GiftAider for a claim
Check the charity is recognised by HMRC for tax purposes, that its details in GiftAider match the current records, and that the correct authorised official is available to review and sign the claim. GiftAider’s test or demo account is not a substitute for the charity’s own HMRC registration.
Related guidance
- What happens during GiftAider onboarding?
- Configure your charity and HMRC details before the first claim
- What to check when HMRC rejects a Gift Aid claim
Last updated on: October 5, 2026