Sports minister urges clubs to join tax-saving scheme

Date: 22nd January 2010

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has urged amateur sports clubs to take advantage of the tax savings being offered by a government scheme.

Deloitte figures highlighted by the minister have revealed that the Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) scheme has seen 5,500 organisations share £60 million worth of tax savings.

Mr Sutcliffe said: "It is great that we have signed up more than 5,500 clubs to the CASC scheme and that many sports clubs are reaping the benefits it brings.

"But there are thousands of clubs out there that are missing out."

Under the scheme, which was introduced in 2002, qualifying sports clubs can benefit from a number of tax advantages including an 80 per cent relief on business rates, exemption from corporation tax on profits and the potential to reclaim a 25 per cent refund on all donations through Gift Aid.

Mr Sutcliffe added: "Being part of the scheme means that clubs will have more funds at their disposal to help increase participation."