Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of payroll giving?
Giving regularly through your pay allows Help the Aged to plan for the future whilst ensuring we can help the people most in need now.
Payroll giving is tax free, as it is deducted from your pay before tax. This means it only costs you £8 to give £10 to Help the Aged.
How do I arrange it?
Contact your Payroll department and find out if your company currently offers a payroll giving scheme.
If the answer is yes, you can indicate that you would like to donate to Help the Aged through your pay by filling in a Payroll Giving donor form and passing it to your Payroll department.
Your monthly donations will then come straight out of your pay, before tax, each month.
You can cancel your donations at any point. Simply let your Payroll department know of your decision and your payments will cease.
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Can I give anonymously?
Yes. If you do not wish to receive any correspondence from Help the Aged, we will respect your wish. If however, you would like to become more involved with our work, or receive information on how your money is being spent, we can provide this information on a regular basis.
How much money does the Charity get from my donations?
For every £1 that you earn, 20p (if you pay the basic tax rate) will go on tax. If you pledge a gift to a charity, say £10, then the tax is not deducted by the Inland Revenue. Although it only costs you £8, the Charity receives the full £10.
What happens if I change jobs?
At the moment payroll giving cannot be transferred between companies, so when you start your new job you will need to inform your new employer. However, automatic transfer is something we're developing for the future.
Can I give through my pension?
Yes. Providing your old employer has a payroll giving scheme in place, you can give through your pension by filling in the Payroll Giving Form and sending it to their payroll department.
Do I have to commit for a long time?
No. If your circumstances change and you no longer wish to donate through your pay, simply inform your employer that you want the payments to cease.
Can I increase my donations?
Yes. Simply enter your details into the online Payroll Giving upgrade form and press send to change the amount you want to give.
Can I choose how my money is spent?
Yes. There are a number of Help the Aged payroll giving schemes on offer to allow you to do this. Simply indicate which scheme you would like to support on your Payroll Giving form. See Choose where your money goes for more information.
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I am an employer. What are the benefits to my business?
As a low-cost scheme, with minimal administrative requirements, payroll giving can be an ideal way for organisations with smaller budgets to provide vital support for charities.Research shows that payroll giving offers real business benefits including:
- improving your social responsibility profile
- enhancing community involvement programmes
- improving staff recruitment and retention
How do I set up a payroll giving scheme within my organisation?
To set up a payroll giving scheme within your organisation, you must, by law, sign up with a Payroll Giving Agency (PGA) which will process your employees' donations and distribute the money to their chosen charities.
Which Payroll Giving Agencies (PGAs) can use to set up my payroll giving scheme?
You can choose from any of the following PGAs when setting up your payroll giving scheme:
What does the Payroll Giving Agency (PGA) do?
Once you have chosen a PGA, you will need to sign a contract with them. This usually involves filling in two forms - a Payroll Giving Agency contract, and a Payroll and Company Details form.
Once the agency has received your forms, they will countersign the contract and return it to you. They will also inform the Inland Revenue that you have commenced the scheme. Employees will then be able to start making donations through their pay.
How do I promote the scheme to my employees?
Professional Fundraising Organisations (PFOs) are available to help you promote the scheme to your employees. They will present a number of charities to your employees free of charge.
The Payroll Giving team is also available to promote Payroll Giving to employees. For more information, to obtain free display materials, or to book a presentation, please call 020 7239 1972, email the Payroll Giving team or write to us at:
Help the Aged
York House
207-221 Pentonville Road
London, N1 9UZ
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