How it works

Five steps, from registering to an answer from HMRC.

1. You register your organisation. You sign in, say which kind of organisation it is - a charity, an agent or nominee, or a collecting agent - and give its HMRC reference and the details HMRC's claim needs.
2. A person at giftaidapi approves it. They check what you sent against the public registers and may ask you for a document. You can see where your registration stands at any time.
3. You get your keys. One key for the live service, one for the Sandbox, where nothing reaches HMRC. Each key is shown once, when it is made.
4. Your software sends donations. Gift Aid API builds the claim HMRC expects, checks it against HMRC's own rules before sending, and submits it.
5. It follows the claim until HMRC answers, and you see each claim's outcome.