Donating Stocks & Shares

Stocks & Shares

When you make a gift of shares to charity it is free from capital gains tax, and donors can claim income tax relief on the value of donated shares. The tax relief applies regardless of the total value of the shares, so it is a most effective way of giving.

How do I donate shares to the Catholic Children's Society (Westminster)?

Obtain a stock transfer form from the Company Registrar of the company whose shares you would like to donate. The name can be found at the bottom of the share certificate. You can also download one here.

On the stock transfer form in the box titled "Full name and postal address of the person to whom the security is transferred" please write Catholic Children's Society (Westminster), 73 St Charles Square, London W10 6EJ.

Complete, sign and date the form.

It would also be advisable to take a copy of this before you return it to the Company Registrar, as a record of your donation.

Please send your completed form, together with the share certificate to: Catholic Children's Society (Westminster), 73 St Charles Square, London W10 6EJ.

Tax benefits for stocks & shares

If you are a basic rate tax payer at 22% and you donate shares to the charity, then you will be able to claim income tax relief on the amount the shares are worth. So, for example, if you donate £350 worth of shares to us, you would be able to claim income tax relief of £77 (which is 22% of £350).

This means that the donation would only cost you £273, even though the charity would receive the full £350. You will also not have to pay capital gains tax on the disposal of the shares.

If you are a higher rate tax payer at 40% then the above calculation would apply, but you would calculate 40% of the value of your shares rather than 22%.