# US donated leave idea could work in the UK, say accountants

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/09/27/us-donated-leave-idea-could-work-uk-say-accountants/
- Published: 2005-09-27T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Hartlepool-based accountancy firm Horwath Clark Whitehill says that a new initiative
from the American Inland Revenue Service (IRS) would benefit charities in the UK
if a similar idea were transferred here.
Following the devastation wrought by Hurricane
Katrina, the IRS has implemented new legislation to try to increase the amount of
money donated to the crisis fund.

Under the new programme, employees can donate any holiday, sick or personal leave
in exchange for their employer making cash payments to qualified tax-exempt organisations
that provide relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Horwath Clark Whitehill believes that if similar legislation was introduced to the
tax system in this country, donations to charities would rise considerably.

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Graeme Surtees, tax partner at Horwath Clark Whitehill, explained: We are approaching
a time of year when many of us have the odd day or two left in our holiday entitlement
and some of us might end up not using it.

“Rather than simply let the odd day be written off, a scheme similar to the IRS 
programme could allow employers to give an employee’s salary for that day to an 
approved charity of their choice and offer tax relief on that donation.”

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