Giving a legacy to our church is an expression of thanksgiving to God for all that we have been given and enjoyed during our life.
Leaving a legacy to a charity such as Old Saint Paul’s also offers several tax benefits.
- The gift is not subject to inheritance tax
- If you leave 10% or more of your estate to charity, any inheritance tax payable on the rest of your estate is reduced by 10%
- Making such a gift could even eliminate inheritance tax, depending on the size of your estate.
Leaving a gift in your Will
To leave a gift in your Will, the following wording can normally be used:
“I give [insert amount of gift] to Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Jeffrey Street Edinburgh, Registered Scottish Charity Number SC017399, and I declare that the receipt of the treasurer or other proper officer of Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy.”
You can also contact your legal adviser. Most solicitors make a modest charge to write or renew a Will, assuming that your estate is uncomplicated. People who have a low income can receive free advice from Citizen’s Advice.
Further support for leaving a legacy
You can find more support and information about leaving a legacy on the following websites.