Almost all clergy use their personal vehicle for ministry purposes. And there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as they keep proper records. If you are chosen for an audit, you can bet the auditor will take a good look at the vehicle mileage. This is sometimes the red flag that caused the audit. Every…

If you plan to give to charity, consider donating before the year ends. That way you can claim your contribution as an itemized deduction for 2013. This includes donations you charge to a credit card by Dec. 31, even if you don’t pay the bill until 2014. A gift by check also counts for 2013…

As you’re putting together your Christmas shopping list, be sure to include charitable gifts that could help reduce your tax bill. In addition to the usual dollar donations or household goods and clothing, consider some less traditional ways to give to charities. Many groups will accept vehicles with some even making arrangements to pick up…

Church employees wishing to make charitable contributions to their church can do so through a payroll deduction. This deduction must be set-up as an after-tax deduction in the church’s payroll system. The charitable donation deduction through payroll is only done for convenience purposes and does not provide an immediate tax benefit. On the employee’s tax…

Clergy Tax Law Alert: Beginning in 2013, medical expenses for most clergy are only deductible to the extent they exceed 10% of your AGI, up from 7.5%. This change was enacted as part of the health care reform bill. It does not yet affect clergy 65 and older, who can still use the 7.5% AGI…

All types of donations, from cash to cars, could be valuable tax deductions, so make sure you count them all when you file. Be sure to follow the donation tax rules, the most important being that you give to a qualified organization — that is, one that has tax-exempt status with the IRS. Also be…

If you want to claim a charitable deduction, be sure the church or charity you select is a tax-qualified organization under IRS rules. Charitable purchases are only deductible in the amount exceeding the worth of the item purchased. For example, if you attend a $50 a plate dinner for children’s hospital, the deductible amount is…

Tax Tips for Clergy Moving this Summer If you make a work-related move this summer, you may be able to deduct the costs of the move. This may apply if you move to start a new call or to work at the same job in a new job location. In order to deduct moving expenses,…

You can deduct as a charitable contribution any mileage directly related to the use of your car and unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses in providing services to a charitable organization. You cannot deduct general repair and maintenance expenses, depreciation, registration fees, or the costs of tires or insurance.  You can use a standard mileage rate of 14…

Do you plan to travel for a church mission trip or other charity work this summer? Some travel expenses may help lower your taxes if you itemize deductions when you file next year. Here are five tax tips Clergy Financial Resources wants you to know about travel while serving a charity. 1. You must volunteer to…