Visitor attractions are failing to reclaim millions of pounds due to the complexities of the Gift Aid system, according to the latest report from Tourism South East. The report, entitled Measuring the Impact of the Changing Gift Aid Rules on Charitable Attractions, compiled the data from 248 charitable attractions including the National Trust and the Eden Project, and through online and telephone questionnaires. It found that 61% of potentially eligible attractions were not claiming this tax relief. A correlation between the size of the visitor attraction and the ability to exploit this scheme was also identified, with a disproportionate number of smaller attractions not claiming.
The most common reason given for not claiming money was that the process was too complicated and time-consuming. In 2006 new rules on Gift Aid stipulated that although more charities than ever could now claim Gift Aid, this only applied if the payment for admission included an additional 10% charge on top of the standard admission fee and that both prices were clearly displayed to the visitor. The total amount of money paid could then be gifted. Under the new rules attractions registered as charities can now claim back Gift Aid on admission charges, with membership schemes and annual passes also eligible, if they allow the right of entry for at least one year. Previously, only certain attractions, such as historic houses and wildlife centres, could take advantage of the tax-return scheme. The amount claimed through Gift Aid fell by 4% from 2000 to 2006 when this new regulation came into force although the number of attractions claiming the relief rose by 9%.
Published: 16-07-2007