Charity Events, Tax/Book Keeping

[Biomech]

I'm looking at shooting a charity event in the not too distant future. The organisers have just asked what I need from them as, in their experience, most businesses need some paperwork to show that it's a charity event for their book keeping.

Is there some sort of tax break / claim I'm unaware of? (UK)

TIA

[gturner]

check with an accountant, but the global standard would be that "time spent" on charity is not deductible item.

If you feel the need to run it through your books, then just have a zero invoice.

Consumables would be deductible, either as marketing, or charitable donation. It would be far easier to assign the hard cash expenses to a marketing line on your income statement. (IE did it for free to gain exposure)

[jpnatale]

I've seen this question before, and had a thought: what about discussing with the charity, and having them pay you your normal fee, then just donating that money back? As a sponsor or whatnot.

I imagine this wouldn't help you though, since you'd have 'extra' income to be taxed on anyway... so it's sort of like cooling a living room with a refrigerator :-p

Edited for me being bad at typing

[gturner]

you are adding a level of paperwork that is going to waste everyones time.
Just do the event, and book it as FREE. end of story.

[mng100]

Biomech, double check with the org you're volunteering for, but I believe that you can obtain a "Gift-In-Kind" Donation form. You make 2 copies (they're usually about a page long, so not too much paperwork), give one to the org and keep one for your tax records. This record, along with their tax exempt id number, acts as a receipt for your services and is tax deductible. I'm pretty sure that's how it works... again, please double check with them.

[gturner]

Here is the HMRC take on things... pretty good place to start

HM Revenue & Customs: Gifts to charity of money by sole traders or partnerships

As I said... only hard cash or good are deductible.

[Biomech]

Cheers all. I intend to make money from the event. Essentially I turn up free of charge, shoot against a backdrop and see the shots at £10 each. I'm happy to give a % to the charity. The way they were talking as as if money made at a charity function is special in some way - something like a tax break etc. But that giftinkind option might be what they are talking about.