Public school fees paid upfront

[UnlikelyFinancialGuru]

We have been given the opportunity to pay a substantial amount towards school fees for our son in advance of him attending.

However, he is a baby and will not be attending said school for 6 years... There are very good reasons to pay up front (tax related), but I’m unsure about the practicalities. Has anyone done this before? What was your experience?

Thanks in advance.

[Bombaybunty]

We did it. My father paid the prep school fees for 5 years in advance . DD was already at the school when we paid though. It meant we were exempt from fee increases.

Now we only pay on an annual basis as the senior school didn't offer a good deal.

[OKhitmewithit]

The science museum is voluntary, the hospice care was NOT in return for your donation. Your child’s place at the school is dependent on your ability to pay. If you don’t believe me, call HMRC

[AlexanderHamilton]

Also the science museum is getting the tax relief on income tax you have already paid. You can only tick the box if you have paid the tax. And it’s the charity getting the tax relief, not you.

[meditrina]

Fees in advance for an existing pupil (or one with an offer to join) is a totally normal arrangement, but based on advance purchase of services. It is not a (potentially tax exempt) charitable donation.

It's unheard of for a school to take fees in respect of a child who might be a prospective pupil several years in the future.

[scaevola]

You cannot claim Gift Aid on school fees

You can claim them in Science Museum entrance donation - because it is just that, a voluntary donation as there is no entrance fee for the main museum. You use gift aid on the special ticketed events within the museum as those are actual fees for the service.

So yes, you could donate to any charity you like for the tax break. But it will be just that, a donation. You don't get any services in return.

[OKhitmewithit]

And it’s the charity getting the tax relief, not you That’s not actually accurate. If you make donations and are a higher or additional rate tax payer, you also get relief.

[UnlikelyFinancialGuru]

Wasn’t trying to get Gift Aid in school fees...

Thanks again everyone. Seems that others have done it to avoid annual rises. Will consider paying if / when DC starts at the Prep.

[scaevola]

I had hoped that, even though you brought up the example of Gift Aid in the first place.

I assume you've now had a chance to check up on the tax differences between a straight donation to charity on exiting the other investment, and fees in advance (which is not a charitable donation, and cannot be made other than for pupils or confirmed joining pupils) and that is why you are waiting until DC is joining

[OKhitmewithit]

Wasn’t trying to get Gift Aid in school fees

What do you think saving 40% tax by paying money to a charity is That’s exactly what you thought you’d be doing —tit—

[UnlikelyFinancialGuru]

@scaevola no I didn’t, HITMe did.

[Growingboys]

Honestly you'd be mad to pick a school now - you have no idea what your child will be like or what will be right for him.

Very, very bad idea

[Growingboys]

Also, all the good schools require the child to sit an exam and an interview, so what if he didn't get in?!

[user187656748]

The only exception is if that money was paid directly to a charity and not in to the relative’s personal account.

As others have said, it simply doesn't work like this I'm afraid.

Your relative is quite welcome to make a charitable donation to the school. They move the money out of the account and donate it to the school which is charity. All fine.

But this all falls down if they make the "donation" in return for a school place even if on paper the school accepts their generous donation, spends it on computers and then coincidentally offers a "free" school place. TBH I'd be running a mile from any school who even considered such an arrangement.

Paying school fees out of taxed income up front is perfectly lawful though (although a little foolish given the number of independent schools in financial difficulty).

Believe me, if there was a loophole to enable fees to be paid out of untaxed income, plenty would be doing it.

[FusionChefGeoff]

Here's a shock idea - pay the tax due on the presumably sizeable assets?

[OKhitmewithit]

Hopefully OP has realised now that direct payment of any realised financial asset won't actually save the tax due on that asset unless it is a gift and not a transaction.

very unlikely financial guru

[UnlikelyFinancialGuru]

Thanks everyone. Not sure I’ve ever encountered such a sarcastic and passive bunch of people. Hiding behind the keyboard really is a joy for some, I see.
I appreciate the views of those who answered the question. Merry Christmas.

[OKhitmewithit]

passive Eh? English and finance not your strong suit OP.

Just because your tax evasion plan was spotted and debunked, you get upset.

[BoogleMcGroogle]

Wowsers, this thread beggars belief. Trying to elaborately avoid tax is one ( unsavoury ) thing. But trying to avoid paying tax on money that will buy your child a privilege that few children, none of whom are any more worthy than any other child in this country, get is a whole new level of vulgar.

Just pay your dues. We have lots of money, pay all our taxes without trying to be clever and still have more than enough money left for a good, honest life. It's called being a good citizen. You should try it, you might rather enjoy it 🙂

[GrasswillbeGreener]

Having read through information on fees-in-advance scheme at my son's school (not something we're remotely in a position to use), I think you may find that some such schemes do have an element of portability written into them - such that money can be withdrawn" from them in order to pay fees to a different school to the one originally intended. If you can use a set-up like that it might make an awful lot of sense.

[SoTiredNeedHoliday]

If you pay in advance when already attending the schools also charge an 'inflation' gap charge so you still have to pay the difference between the fees when you paid the amount and the fees in the actual year that your child uses the education.

Also as you are receiving a benefit for placing the funds in the account surely you can't be allowed complete tax relief?