RE1852 - Gifts of Land, Buildings, Shares & Securities to Charity: what are "qualifying investments"?

The following investments are "qualifying investments" for the purposes of the relief:

• shares or securities listed on any recognised stock exchange . This includes London and Plus Listed in the UK, any recognised overseas stock exchange. Shares or securities dealt in on a designated market in the UK. The only markets currently designated are the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange and the PLUS Quoted market of PLUS Markets
• units in an Authorised Unit Trust
• shares in a UK Open Ended Investment Company (OEIC)
• holdings in certain foreign collective investment schemes - broadly, schemes established outside the UK equivalent to unit trusts and OEICs.
• the whole of a beneficial interest in a qualifying interest in land (including buildings)

A qualifying interest in land means:

• a freehold interest in land in the UK
• a leasehold interest in land in the UK which is a term of years absolute

An agreement to acquire a freehold interest, and an agreement for a lease, are not qualifying interests in land.

In Scotland, references to "a freehold interest in land" mean the interest of the owner, and references to "a leasehold interest in land, which is for a term of years absolute" mean a tenant's right over or interest in property subject to a lease.

Most qualifying investments in the form of shares or securities can be identified in the financial pages of the press. In cases of doubt or uncertainty CAR Charities can help you establish whether a particular investment qualifies.