Downloadable PDFs

2013 Tax Updates
At the beginning of 2013, Congress passed tax regulations that affected everyone’s paychecks. So what does this mean for employees?

Employee vs. Independent Contractor
Organizations need to understand the difference between an employee and an independent contractor.

Mileage Reimbursement
In the last Indiana Baptist article, I wrote about ways that church leaders can help reduce employee’s taxable income related to business expenses they have incurred. One of the ways is transportation expenses, which can be a major business expense for churches and especially for pastors.

Accountable Reimbursement Plans
There are several ways in which churches can help reduce employees’ taxable income. One of the best ways is with an accountable reimbursement plan.

Benevolence Funds
Benevolence funds are a great ministry for churches to reach out and help those in need. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Churches should have a benevolence fund policy in place which complies with IRS rules...

Payroll Tax Extension
We all want a little extra money in our paychecks, right? For the remainder of 2012, that is just what most employees are getting through the 2011 tax relief act. Learn more.

Political Campaign Activity
Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to political candidates and the issues they stand for, but churches and religious organizations must be aware of strict IRS regulations regarding political campaign activity.

Record Retention
One common question our Business Team receives, especially after year-end, is how long a church should retain its records. The answer depends on the type of record.

Employer-Provided Cell Phone
Many people, including pastors, have received an employer provided cell phone... The Internal Revenue Service has recently posted a new notice...

Independent Contractor or Employee?
One of the more frequent questions I receive from our churches is whether to report payments to individuals on a W-2 or a 1099.

Financial Audits

• Does your church have a financial audit?
• Should your church have a financial audit?

The Bible tells us that accountability to God is vital...

The Designated Gift

One of the more frequent questions I receive is: can someone make a gift to the church, designate it and get a tax deductible contribution? The short answer would be, “Of course.” However, there is a catch.