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HMRC updates guidance for charities
cheque
Under the rules of the gift aid scheme, donations may not be repaid under any circumstances.
Gift aid donations cannot be repaid under any circumstances

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have updated their guidance for charities to clarify that admission fees cannot be refunded in full or in part where donations give right of admission to properties.

Admission fees charged by charities to visit their property do not qualify for gift aid. In some cases, however, the fee may be eligible if the charity asks for a voluntary donation in return for viewing the property.

To qualify for gift aid, fees must be voluntary, and not required to gain admission. The donation must also be at least 10 per cent above the normal admission fee, or allow admission for at least one year. For further information about admission fees that qualify for gift aid, visit HMRC's website.

HMRC has updated its guidance to clarify the terms and conditions relating to these types of donation. Under the rules of the gift aid scheme, donations may not be repaid under any circumstances, so donations that allow admission to property do not include the right to a full or partial refund of the admission payment.

Types of admission covered by gift aid rules include admissions to view charity land and buildings, animals, artefacts, art, plants and scientific property.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.