HMRC has finally published its consultation on the proposed gift aid small donations scheme, which will allow charities to claim gift aid on £5,000 worth of small donations each year without needing to submit a gift aid declaration signed by the donor.

The measure was announced in last year’s Budget, when the Chancellor said it would apply to donations of up to £10.  This year’s Budget confirmed that the move was still in the pipeline and doubled the limit for each individual donation to £20.  It is intended to take effect from 6 April 2013.

The consultation document has been a long time coming because, according to charity tax sources, the logistics of the proposal have proved quite complex. The document, published by HMRC yesterday, runs to 32 pages.

The document also confirms a condition first mooted last year, that the benefit will only be available to charities and amateur sports clubs that have a three-year track record of successfully claiming gift aid.

Charities can respond to the consultation up until 25 May.