IRA to Charity Contributions
For some time this unique method of making charitable contributions was a temporary provision of the tax law, but Congress made it permanent in 2016. This charitable contribution provision is limited to taxpayers age 70.5 and older. They can directly transfer up to $100,000 a year from their IRA to a qualified charity. So if…
Should we ban romantic relationships in the church?
Depending on the nature of the relationship, how you handle workplace romances is mostly up to your organization’s preference or policy. If the employees do not report to one another and are engaged in a mutually consenting relationship, no action may be needed. Some organizations prefer to ban office dating, but I find this difficult…
Office Holiday Closings
Our office will be closed on November 23 and 24, 2017 to observe the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen on Monday, November 27, at 8:30 a.m.
Happy Thanksgiving!
A Heartfelt Thank You During this special time of year, we want to extend our sincere appreciation to you, for entrusting Clergy Financial Resources with your tax, payroll & HR needs. As another year-end season begins, we look forward to strengthening our relationship and connecting you with solutions that help you succeed. …
Church Expense Reimbursement Policy
This policy establishes the reimbursement procedures for travel, entertainment, and other ministry expenses (“business expenses”) incurred during the conduct of Church business. It is Church policy to reimburse employees for ordinary, necessary, and reasonable expenses when directly related to the ministry of the church. Directly related means: There is the expectation of deriving some current or future benefit…
Do I include clergy housing for the Marketplace?
The Affordable Care Act (also called ACA, federal health care reform or sometimes “Obamacare”) expands health coverage to millions of previously uninsured Americans and makes significant changes to health insurance practices nationwide. The Health Insurance Marketplace is an online resource for comparing different plans and benefits in order to choose a health insurance plan that’s…
Create and Maintain an Employee Handbook
As your church grows, the way you conduct your church business may change and therefore the procedures of your employees may change as well. Employee handbooks are always a working document with natural change due to federal and state laws. Your employee handbook should be reviewed and updated no less than annually to avoid your…
Do you need an official designation for Housing allowance?
2018 Housing Allowance Form The allowance must be officially designated in advance by the church. The designation should be stated in writing, preferably by resolution of the governing body and/or in an employment contract. In addition, the designation should be recorded in the church budget and payroll records. If the only reference to the housing allowance is…
Housing / Parsonage Pros and Cons
When the United States began, most pastors lived in church-owned parsonages, and the US carried over the common European practice of not taxing that as income. The basis of the housing exclusion from taxable income is deeply rooted in our nation’s tax history. In 1954, the provision was expanded to include the “cash” rental allowance paid…
How to Claim Housing During Interim Ministry?
Churches normally hire an interim minister for the time between the departure of a pastor and the calling of a new pastor or a “sabbatical interim pastor” when a pastor is granted sabbatical leave. Full-time, interim ministers are usually paid on the same scale as other fulltime clergy. For part-time service, the percentage of time…
