How Much Is Enough Benevolence is synonymous with charity. It is the very definition of it. However, there is a definite line between charity and what the IRS calls inurement (or private benefit). Everyday many churches and charities overwhelmingly receive requests for help. Most Churches want to help those in need. The questions become, “Is the [...]
Overcoming Summertime Financial Blahs Summer is almost here. People will be taking much needed vacations; kids will attend youth camps; and sometimes the weather will just be “too nice” for some to attend Church, when the Lake seems much more inviting. All of these create havoc or at least, some unease for the Pastor. [...]
IRS WARNS AGAINST FALSIFYING INCOME, OTHER COMMON TAX SCAMS The Internal Revenue Service warned taxpayers to avoid misrepresenting their income on returns in order to improperly claim tax credits. “Taxpayers should not falsify their income or other information on their tax returns to improperly claim tax credits,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said in a Feb. [...]
Finances–The Pastor’s Biggest Headache I am sure there are some, but I do not know of any Pastor that is in ministry for any reason, other than he or she was called by God. Most of us do what we do to further the Kingdom of God on this earth. We preach to see [...]
Church Payroll Game Changer Most Churches in the USA are not a Mega-Church. The average congregation size in America is 70 people. Many of these live from Sunday to Sunday to meet budgetary demands. Most rely on some fundraisers throughout the year just to engage in ministry outside of their four walls. The [...]
Social Security – America’s Biggest Scam Many Americans, including Clergy rely upon the Government’s retirement system known as Social Security Retirement. It never ceases to amaze me at the people, including Pastors and Ministers who feel that the Federal Government can manage the Pastors’ money better than they can manage their own. Our [...]
Pulpit Freedom Sunday and Dangers that May Ensue For the past several years, as Election Day nears, there are some Churches that practice “Freedom Sunday.” They use their pulpits to promote a particular political candidate and/or agenda. With the state that our nation is in, and the fact that Christianity seems to be the [...]
Are You Placing Your Donors in Jeopardy of Tax Penalties As I travel across the country assisting Churches and Clergy with their Church books and records I am constantly amazed at the number of Churches and Pastors who feel as if they are not required or should not obtain a legal 501(c)(3) exemption for their [...]
Why Your Church or Ministry should be Incorporated Recently I conducted a Church and Clergy Tax Conference in a neighboring state. During the question and answered period I learned that one of the Churches in attendance had never formally registered with their state, nor were they a legitimate 501 (c) (3). The Board Members [...]
Pastor, Is What You Just Did Legal? In the complex world of Church ministry, many Pastors think they are doing a noble deed, when in reality they may be breaking the law. Since the Church is a non-profit entity and therefore exempt from taxes on its Tithes and Offerings, the IRS has page after [...]