There were 25 new registrations between 1 June and 30 June 2009. There are now 5,337 clubs registered, claiming an estimated total cash benefit of at least £58.3m by 30 June 2009.
The estimated total cash benefits of £58.3m clearly emphasises that the major benefit to CASC's at present is the business rate relief they receive, which comprises 88% of this figure. The Gift Aid take up has been significantly lower, currently at £5.5m, suggesting it is the property owning clubs which have received the major benefits from CASC status up to this point. It is for these reasons that we have been lobbying for Gift Aid relief on junior subscriptions as firstly, non property owning clubs will receive more benefit from their CASC status, and secondly the Gift Aid take up in general will be improved. Unfortunately HM Treasury have rejected our proposal; indeed this year's Budget, rather than helping sport, increased tax costs for sport at all levels. There are however a number of helpful papers on fund-raising, volunteer expenses and tax relief for subscriptions, which show how to take maximum advantage of Gift Aid under current law.
There have been a number of administrative relaxations in Gift Aid and for charities generally. There will be more guidance on Gift Aid and tax effective fundraising provided to the public, including the launch of a new Gift Aid website www.direct.gov.uk/giftaid, a new CD-ROM 'Gift Aid Toolkit' for the 2008-2009 tax year and a gift aid helpline which is accessible through the website www.giftaidhelp.org. To obtain a copy of the Gift Aid Toolkit you can contact Andrew Kayley at HMRC (andrew.kayley@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk).
If you would like to know more, please visit the dedicated Sports Business Group website at http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/section_node/0,1042,sid%253D70402,00.html, where the tax options booklet What a relief - Community Amateur Sports Clubs - The Tax Options can be downloaded free of charge, or consult the CASC pages at http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/casc/index.htm and http://www.cascinfo.co.uk.
