In 2007, the British Red Cross has reclaimed over £5.7 million in Gift Aid tax. Please help us to make this figure even bigger.

If every charity supporter were to give their donations tax-effectively, charities could claim an estimated additional £900 million from the Inland Revenue each year.

Providing you are a UK taxpayer, you could boost your charitable donations just by giving in a tax-efficient way. We appreciate that tax has its complexities and can be difficult to understand. If you are unsure about anything, please don't hesitate to call our Supporter Care Line on 0844 87 100 87.

Gift Aid is one of the simplest and most effective ways of giving to charity. It is a scheme introduced by HM Revenue & Customs, which allows us to reclaim the basic rate tax you pay as a UK taxpayer.

It means that for every £1 you donate we get an extra 28p, at no extra cost to you. All that is required from you is a one-off declaration, which you can give by simply ticking a box on a form, online or by agreeing over the phone, and we'll do the rest.

You can make your declaration online; by calling 0844 87 100 87; or by downloading a form (on the right hand side of this page) and sending it to: British Red Cross, Gift Aid, 44 Moorfields, London EC2Y 9AL.

Please remember to let us know of any changes to your name and address. You can contact us at any time by emailing giftaidadministration@redcross.org.uk or by calling 0844 87 100 87.

To be eligible for the Gift Aid scheme, you need to be a UK taxpayer. You need to have paid income tax or capital gains tax that is at least equal to the amount that we will be reclaiming, in the year that your gift is received by us.

Tax is claimed at the basic rate applied in the year your donation was received. So for donations received up to April 6 2008 it was 28p for every £1, from 2008 25p for every £1.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible for donating by Gift Aid, or simply want more information, contact the Inland Revenue directly by calling their Gift Aid helpline on 0151 472 6038 or visiting www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

No, you only need to make a declaration once. Your single declaration will apply to all past donations made in the six years prior to this year and any donations you might make to us in the future.

Please do, however, remember to let us know of any changes to your name and address. You can contact us at any time by emailing giftaidadministration@redcross.org.uk or by calling 0844 87 100 87.

If you are a higher rate taxpayer we are still only able to claim the basic rate of tax on your donation. However, you are able to reclaim the difference between the amount we reclaim and the 40% you pay yourself through your tax return, or you may choose to donate it back to the British Red Cross by completing the information on your self assessment form. All you have to do is remember to include details of your charitable gifts on your tax form.

You can cancel the declaration at any time by emailing your full name and address, including your postcode, to supportercare@redcross.org.uk or by telephoning us on 0844 87 100 87.

Find out more about Gift Aid on the Charity Facts website.