Share giving

This can be the most tax efficient method of giving available – some donors can give up to 80% more. Through donating most shares and securities you can claim income tax relief on the value of the gift. You are also exempt from any tax on capital gains that might have arisen if the shares had been sold.

Example:

Zoe is a higher tax rate payer (40%). Her financial advisor tells her that her shares are listed on the UK Stock Exchange (and therefore qualify for relief). They are worth £900 at that time and she has made £200 capital gains. Broker and legal fees for selling the shares (incidental costs) come to £100.

She sells the shares, making sure she sends Fairbridge a letter explaining she is selling them on our behalf. When completing her Self Assessment return, she claims £400 relief (40% of the value of the gift plus incidental costs) she is also exempt from paying the capital gains tax of £200.

She has given £900 to young people at Fairbridge at a final cost of £300.

What next?

Contact a financial advisor to discuss the best way to give and your personal tax implications.

Contact the Fairbridge Philanthropy Development Team on 020 7928 1704 or giving@fairbridge.org.uk so that we can help with the process itself and make sure that we have the records you will need to claim full relief.

Only have a small number of shares? Fairbridge does not accept small numbers of shares as to sell them would cost more than they are worth. However, you can send these to Share Gift, a charity which specialises in accepting small share gifts and distributing amongst charities suggested by donors.