--- title: "Payroll Giving UK — Give As You Earn explained for donors…" description: "How Payroll Giving (Give As You Earn) works in the UK, how it compares with Gift Aid, what employers need to run a scheme" source: https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/payroll-giving-uk retrieved: 2026-08-18T01:24:55.066Z license: "Charity data © Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0" --- # Payroll Giving UK — Give As You Earn explained for donors & employers **In short:** Payroll Giving takes donations from gross pay before tax — relief is instant. Gift Aid tops up net donations by 25% for the charity. Compare both with our free calculator, then verify the charity’s Clarity Score and charity number before you set up a deduction. Data from [Charity Commission register](https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/), last updated 29 July 2026. **Payroll Giving UK** (also called Give As You Earn) is one of the simplest ways to give regularly — if your employer offers it. This guide covers donors and the short version for employers; for the numbers, open the [Payroll Giving vs Gift Aid calculator](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/payroll-giving-calculator). ### How does Payroll Giving work? Your employer deducts the donation from **gross pay** before income tax. You get relief at your marginal rate automatically. The charity receives the net donation amount (minus any agency fee, often a few percent). No Gift Aid declaration is needed for the payroll gift itself. ### Payroll Giving vs Gift Aid | | Payroll Giving | Gift Aid | | --- | --- | --- | | When relief happens | Instant via payroll | Charity reclaim + optional higher-rate Self Assessment | | Charity top-up | No 25% HMRC top-up on the gift | Charity reclaims 25% | | Paperwork for you | Employer setup | Declaration; SA if reclaiming | | Employer needed | Yes | No | Full comparison: [calculator](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/payroll-giving-calculator) · tax overview: [tax-efficient giving](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/tax-efficient-giving-uk). ### For employers and payroll platforms Running a scheme usually means contracting an approved Payroll Giving agency, offering employees a nomination form, and promoting the benefit. Embedding our [Payroll Giving calculator](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/for-charities/embed) on your benefits intranet helps staff choose between schemes — free, with attribution. ### Check the charity before you nominate Tax efficiency does not make a weak organisation strong. [Check the charity number](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/how-to-check-a-charity-number), read Clarity Score beacons, and [compare](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare-charities) alternatives in the same cause. ## Common questions ### What is Payroll Giving in the UK? + Payroll Giving (Give As You Earn) lets employees donate to UK charities from gross salary before income tax is calculated. The donation reduces taxable pay, so relief is automatic. Your employer must run an approved scheme, usually through a Payroll Giving agency. ### Is Payroll Giving better than Gift Aid? + Charity-per-pound of net cost is usually similar; Gift Aid sends the charity 25% more for the same donation amount, while Payroll Giving typically costs you less out of pocket and needs no Self Assessment. Use our Payroll Giving vs Gift Aid calculator for your tax band. ### How do I ask my employer about Payroll Giving? + Ask HR or payroll whether they offer Give As You Earn or a Payroll Giving agency. If they do not, point them to HMRC guidance on approved agencies. You can still give via Gift Aid directly to the charity in the meantime. ### Can I use Payroll Giving for any charity? + Most schemes let you nominate registered UK charities. Always check the charity number and Clarity Score on CharityCompare before naming a recipient — registration and transparent filings matter as much as tax relief. ## Read next - [What is Gift Aid? Gift Aid lets an eligible UK charity claim an extra 25p per £1 you donate if you have paid enough Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax — it costs you nothing extra, but you must opt in and stay eligible.](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/gift-aid-basics) - [How to give tax-efficiently in the UK Gift Aid adds 25p per £1 at no cost to you. Higher and additional-rate taxpayers can reclaim more through Self Assessment, and Payroll Giving, share gifts and legacies each carry their own reliefs.](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/tax-efficient-giving-uk) - [Zakat and faith giving UK — calculate, verify, give with clarity Calculate Zakat with today’s silver nisab (you enter the price — we never bake in a stale figure), then give to organisations you have verified as registered charities. Clarity Score rates filing transparency, not religious eligibility.](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/zakat-and-faith-giving-uk) Ready to check a specific charity? Every profile shows a free Clarity Score from regulator filings. [Search charities](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity-directory) [Compare](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare-charities) **Information only** — not donation advice.