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Church Treasurers

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Title: Church Treasurers


1
Church Treasurers WorkshopMay 12, 2009
  • We are called to be good witnesses of our Lord to
    this world. Therefore, we MUST strive to do that
    which is right and pleasing in Gods sight!

2
How Many of you
  • do not give your pastor a W-2?
  • give 1099 to revival or other speakers who earn
    more than 600 in your church?
  • have a custodian and do not give them a 1099?
  • take up love offerings and do not include it as
    W-2 wages for the recipient?
  • give a contribution credit for persons giving to
    a love offering through the church?

3
How Many of you
  • have at least 2 non-related people counting the
    money each Sunday?
  • take Sundays offerings home with you and deposit
    it on Monday without 2 people counting the money?
  • have a benevolence fund administered by the
    Pastor?
  • give your pastor a social security offset?
  • have ever let someone buy something from the
    church at a reduced price?
  • rent out the parsonage? church for weddings?
    fellowship hall for family reunions?
  • sent your pastor on a trip to the Holy Land or
    some other location?
  • do not have an accountable reimbursement plan?

4
Estimates run from 65 85 of churches may be
out of compliance with the rules, regulations,
and laws that govern withholding, charitable
giving, staff policies, etc.
5
The information being shared with today is a
good faith effort to inform you of expectations
of the IRS and state to comply with maintaining
non-profit status as a church. Certain
circumstances may require that you talk more
fully with an accountant or agent.
6
Scriptural premises to serve as our guidelines
  • ..You shall be my witnesses. Acts 1 8
  • Give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what
    is Gods. Matthew 22 21

7
Issues For Discussion
  • IRS rules and regulations for ministers and
    church staff
  • Charitable giving requirements
  • Reclamation of NC Sales Tax
  • Need For Personnel policies and procedures
  • Importance of staff being a part of the
    Guidestone Retirement system
  • Records keeping requirements
  • Q and A

8
The Dual View Of Those In Ministry
  • Ministers are considered and employee of the
    church for IRS purposes.
  • Ministers are considered as self-employed for
    Social Security purposes

9
Many Churches are out of compliance with the law.
This can lead to substantial penalties.
  • Federal law specifies that any corporate officer,
    director, or employee who is responsible for
    withholding taxes and paying them over to the
    government may be liable for a penalty in the
    amount of 100 of such taxes if they are either
    not withheld or not paid over to the government.

10
Many Churches are out of compliance with the law.
This can lead to substantial penalties.
  • This penalty is of special relevance to church
    leaders, given the high rate of noncompliance by
    churches with the payroll reporting procedures.

11
Special rules UNIQUE to the church
  • Ministers are ALWAYS self-employed for Social
    Security purposes and must pay their own SECA
    (not FICA).
  • You may need to know that some ministers are
    exempted from Social Security due to religious
    considerations. They must have the appropriate
    forms on file with the government.

12
Special rules UNIQUE to the church
  • A ministers wages are exempt from income tax
    withholding. However, some ministers do elect to
    allow the church to withhold taxes. Generally,
    the pastor should pay estimated taxes on a
    quarterly basis to avoid penalties for
    underpayment of taxes.

13
Maximizing Tax Benefits For Ministers
  • I operate from the premise that the church should
    do all it can to maximize the earnings of its
    ministers. Many churches can not afford to pay
    high salaries. However, EVERY church can and
    should maximize the earnings of its ministers and
    protect the ministers family as much as possible.

14
Maximizing Tax Benefits For Ministers
  • HOUSING ALLOWANCE (Homeowner) This is the most
    important benefit for those in ministry. Make
    certain a portion of the ministers compensation
    is designated - by vote of the church (or
    appropriate committee with expressed authority)
    as housing allowance for the minister. If you
    fail to do that it is considered gross pay and
    therefore taxable income to the minister.

15
Housing Allowance Information
  • The housing allowance is nontaxable for income
    tax reporting purposes
  • Housing allowance is considered in the
    computation of SECA.
  • Ministers living in their own homes may also
    deduct interest, taxes, etc.
  • Ministers living in church-owned homes may
    exclude the fair-rental value from their gross pay

16
Housing Allowance Information
  • Out-of-pocket expenses (utilities, furnishings,
    repairs, etc.) in the parsonage may also be
    excluded from their gross pay
  • Remember---the amount designated as housing
    allowance MUST BE approved by the church in
    advance and though excluded for income tax
    purposes, it must be included in the ministers
    computation of SECA.

17
Housing Allowance Information
  • The IRS recognizes employee contracts, covenants,
    minutes of business meetings, budgets, etc.
    PROVIDED the church has duly adopted the
    designation as a housing allowance.
  • Giving your pastor 150,000 and saying break it
    down pastor any way you like, is not accepted by
    the IRS as appropriate.

18
Maximizing Tax Benefits For Ministers
  • Another premise I operate from is that the church
    should UNDERSTAND, the cost of the pastor being
    your pastor is NOT income to the pastor.
    THEREFORE, the church should do everything it can
    to insure he does not have to pay taxes on money
    that he uses to serve the church as its minister.
    The church should understand there are
    operating expenses to serving as your minister.

19
Maximizing Tax Benefits For Ministers
  • Every church should ADOPT an ACCOUNTABLE
    REIMBURSEMENT PLAN for its ministers/staff. The
    basic rule of thumb is, staff members have to
    be accountable to someone either the church or
    to the IRS. To make your staff members
    accountable to the IRS means that they will have
    to pay taxes for expenses it cost them personally
    to serve as your minister. That should NOT
    happen.

20
Accountable Reimbursement Plan
  • The BEST way for ministers to handle their
    ministry-related work expense is through an
    accountable reimbursement plan
  • A church agrees to reimburse staff for all
    ministry-related expenses that are properly
    substantiated as to the date, amount, place, and
    ministry purpose.
  • Reimbursements in such a manner are not
    considered taxable income. An allowance is
    considered taxable income.

21
Accountable Reimbursement Plan
  • The church should establish an accountable
    expenses reimbursement plan in an appropriate
    resolution/motion. When making such a motion,
    the church should pay close attention to
  • 1. Condition the reimbursement of any expense
    on adequate substantiation. This will include
    written evidence for all expenses, and receipts
    for expenses of 75 or more. The evidence must
    substantiate the amount, date, place, and
    business nature of each expense. 75 figure is
    IRS requirement----

22
Accountable Reimbursement Plan
  • BUT------I would expect the minister to turn in
    MOST receipts under 75 as well. I would have a
    provision for a statement of explanation for
    reimbursement of items that a receipt might not
    be available (I.e. fast food meal, parking fees,
    etc.)
  • The KEY POINT is this the church MUST require
    the same degree of substantiation as would be
    required for a deduction on the ministers income
    tax return.

23
Accountable Reimbursement Plan
  • 2. Expenses must be substantiated, and excess
    reimbursements returned to the church, within a
    reasonable period of time. According to IRS
    rules, expenses substantiated within 60 days are
    deemed appropriate as is excess reimbursements
    received within 120 days.
  • Reimbursements to ministers for non-ministry
    related, personal expenses should be included as
    taxable income on the ministers W2.

24
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • Yet another premise I feel is important and under
    which we should operate is the fact that a church
    should be a good witness to the world around us
    by complying with the rules, regulations,
    proceduresthe law. The following slides will
    deal with 11 steps to insure your compliance.

25
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP ONE Obtain an employer identification
    (EIN) from the federal government if this has not
    been done.
  • This is NOT a tax-exemption number!

26
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP TWO Determine whether church workers are
    employees or self-employed.
  • Churches must withhold 30 of pay to a
    self-employed person who has not supplied a SS
    number
  • Some employee benefits are non-taxable ONLY
    when received as employees
  • The Church Annuity Plan covers only W2
    employees

27
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP THREE Obtain the Social Security Number
    for each worker.
  • Churches can be penalized if the Social Security
    number they report is incorrect.

28
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP FOUR Have each employee complete a W4.
  • Ordained ministers do NOT have to complete a W4
    UNLESS they enter into a voluntary withholding
    with the church.

29
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP FIVE Compute each employees taxable wage
  • Wages subject to federal withholding include pay
    given to any employee for services performed.
    The pay may be cash or in other forms. Non-money
    pay must be fair-market value.

30
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • WAGES Wages often include a number of items in
    addition to salary, Here are some common
    examples
  • Bonuses Christmas/Special occasion Gifts
  • Retirement Gifts SOCIAL SECURITY OFFSET
  • Personal use church car Church loan below-market
    interest
  • Forgiven debts Expenses with NO accountable
    plan
  • Purchases of church property for less than
    fair-market

31
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP SIX Determine the amount of income tax to
    withhold from each employees wages.
  • The most common way to determine is through the
    wage bracket method but you can use the
    percentage method.

32
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP SEVEN Withhold Social Security and
    Medicare (FICA) taxes from non-minister
    employees wages.
  • The combined Social Security and Medicare tax
    rate is 15.3 of each employees wages. This is
    divided by the employer and the employee.
    Therefore, the churchs portion is 7.65 of the
    employees wages.
  • The church MUST withhold the employees share of
    social security.
  • REMINDER Any Social Security Offset by the
    church for a minister is considered taxable
    income to the minister.

33
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP EIGHT The church MUST DEPOSIT the taxes
    it withholds
  • The church accumulates 3 kinds of federal
    payroll taxes income taxes, employer's share of
    SS taxes, and employees share of SS taxes. ALL
    must be deposited on a monthly basis. MOST
    CHURCHES, beginning in 2001 can make payments
    every three months UNLESS they have more than
    2500 combined quarterly employment taxes.

34
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP NINE All employers subject to income tax
    withholding, Social Security and Medicare, or
    both, MUST file Form 941 quarterly
  • Forms are due April 30, July 31, October 31, and
    January 31
  • It is the position of the IRS national office
    that churches with only one employee (the
    minister) need NOT file a Form 941

35
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP TEN Prepare a W2 for EVERY employee
    including ordained ministers. Employee should
    receive no later than February 1
  • TAKE NOTE OF ANY CHANGES IN THE W2 FORM FROM
    YEAR TO YEAR
  • For ministers, you do NOT include designated
    housing and reimbursed ministry expenses on the
    W2. The church does NOT report Social Security
    or Medicare wages for the minister.

36
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • REMEMBER----wages for income tax purposes
    include
  • Bonuses The cost of sending the pastor to
    the Holy
  • Church gifts Land if paid by the church
  • SS Offset Personal use of church-provided
    car
  • Purchases of church Business expense
    reimbursements under a property below market
    non-accountable plan
  • Moving expenses paid Church paid group
    insurance beyond DIRECTLY to pastor 50,000
  • Discretionary funds Below-market
    interest loans by the for the pastor to spend
    church
  • as he sees fit Debt forgiven by the church

37
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • MORE EXAMPLES----wages for income tax purposes
    include
  • Severance pay Payment of the ministers
    personal
  • Churchs reimbursement expenses by the
    church
  • of spouses expenses Per Diem rates higher
    than IRS
  • Travel reimbursement guidelines
  • higher than IRS Reimbursement for spouse
    conference expense, etc. UNLESS church
    requires such travel as an integrity
    measure

38
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • THINGS NOT TO REPORT AS SALARY FOR MINISTERS
  • Fair rental value of Housing Allowance
  • parsonage Contributions to Retirement
    Plans
  • Expenses reimbursed (Under Salary Reduction
    Agreement
  • under accountable plan approved by the
    church)
  • Travel expenses Items purchased by the
    church for the
  • in accordance with IRS minister to
    accomplish his task as
  • guidelines minister of the church
  • CONSULT IRS OR CLERGY TAX LAW GUIDES IF YOU HAVE
    QUESTIONS. Tar River Baptist Association should
    have the up-to-date information that will be of
    help to its member churches.

39
Complying With Federal payroll tax reporting
obligations..
  • STEP ELEVEN Prepare a Form 1099-MISC for
    every self-employed person receiving non-employee
    compensation of 600 or more.
  • Like the W2, this should be issued BEFORE
    February 1
  • Persons that receive 1099s are NOT eligible to
    participate in the Church Annuity Plan.
  • Churches should get contact information and SS
    number to complete 1099 for every person that
    receives compensation for services rendered to
    the church (revival speaker, pulpit supply, guest
    musicians, etc.)

40
Some additional helps to keep you in compliance..
  • NEED HELP COMPLETING A FORM Call the
    centralized IRS site for questions about their
    forms. Their number is 1-304-263-8700 (M-F 830
    430 EST). TRBA might also be able to offer
    some help to you.
  • FORM I-9 EVERY employer in the United States
    must complete this form to confirm the identity
    of all new employees. All employees since
    November 6, 1986 should have this on file.
  • Annual Certification of racial
    nondiscrimination Churches that operate,
    supervise, or control a private school must file
    this form each year with the IRS. This includes
    a preschool operation.

41
  • Charitable Giving

42
Lets Discuss a Scenario
  • The Treasurer receives a donation to the church
    w/ a note attached.
  • The donor wishes to remain anonymous
  • The check is designated for use at the
    discretion of the pastor for evangelism
  • The Questions related to the above
  • Can the pastor only authorize these funds or does
    this go into the general fund?
  • If it states to be used for evangelism, does the
    church really have to use it for that purpose?
  • 3. How would a church policy addressing
    designated funds help in this scenario?

43
Lets Discuss.
  • For a contribution to be tax deductible, the
    church must maintain control. In other words,
    if it is NOT the policy of the church to allow
    the Pastor to have general oversight of the
    distribution of funds, then the designated gift
    is a way to get around the budget of the church
    and the person maintains control of his money.
  • I would honor the anonymous nature of the gift as
    much as possible, but I would discourage common
    use of this tactic.
  • Anything at the discretion of the pastor should
    be counted as income to the pastor as he has
    control of it. This would be particularly true
    if the person giving the gift gets a tax credit
    from the church.
  • Should it go to the general fund? If the church
    does not have a designated evangelism fund, the
    church needs to vote to accept the contribution
    as a bona fide contribution. The church should
    have a policy that states money designated and
    not use for the purpose given will go to the
    general fund and allow the donor to take it
    back in a reasonable amount of time if he dies
    not agree with that policy.
  • Church policy and procedures clarify things!

44
Some additional helps to keep you in compliance..
  • Charitable contribution substantiation rules
    There are two important rules with regards to
    substantiation of charitable gifts
  • 1. IF THE GIFT IS OVER 250 the donor must
    receive written acknowledgement from the church
    that satisfies the following requirements
  • Receipt must be in writing
  • Receipt must identify the donor by name
  • For non-cash contributions valued over 250,
    the receipt must include a description of the
    property. NO VALUE NEEDS TO BE STATED

45
Some additional helps to keep you in compliance..
  • The receipt must state whether the church
    provided any goods or services in return for the
    contributions and if so, an estimate of their
    value
  • If the church provides intangible religious
    benefits, then the receipt must contain a
    statement to that effect
  • The written receipt must be received by the
    date the donor file his tax return (or
    extensions)

46
Some additional helps to keep you in compliance..
  • If the gift is a Quid pro quo contribution of
    more than 75 ( a payment that is partly
    contribution and partly payment for goods and
    services), the church must provide a written
    statement to the donor that satisfies two
    conditions
  • Must inform the donor the amount that is
    tax-deductible is limited to the excess of the
    amount of money (or value of property) over the
    value of any goods and services provided by the
    church

47
Some additional helps to keep you in compliance..
  • The statement must provide the donor with a good
    faith estimate of the value of the goods or
    services furnished to the donor
  • NOTE All designated contributions are NOT
    necessarily tax-deductible to the donor.

48
Not all designated gifts are considered tax
deductible
  • Due to abuse by some, the IRS has established
    some basic guidelines related to designated
    giving and receipts for charitable gifts. As a
    general rule, anything you give with a
    designation that it MUST be used in a certain
    manner and for which you can have returned if not
    used in that manner, is not considered deductible
    for you still have control of its use.

49
One final rule of thumb for charitable giving
  • If someone receives CREDIT for a contribution
    (even a love offering), the IRS requires
    substantiation.
  • If a staff member receives a love offering
    from the church for which members have received a
    contribution credit (this would include gifts and
    trips), then the treasurer MUST include this on
    the staff members W2 as income.

50
ODDS AND ENDS ABOUT CHARITABLE GIVING
  • Keep tax records 7 years (List provided for other
    timelines for record keeping)
  • Hours, services, volunteerism is NOT a legal
    contribution
  • Money counters should not be from the same
    family/household
  • Cancelled checks are not proof of contributions
  • A person that gets the money counts the money
    deposits the money, etc. SHOULD NOT SIGN CHECKS
  • Two signatures should be on church checks

51
A Suggested Procedure For Sunday Offerings
  • Count and verify loose change and cash
    contributions
  • Do NOT open envelopes
  • Place bag in night deposit at bank
  • On Monday, financial secretary gets bag, counts
    money, and makes records of contributions from
    envelopes
  • Prepare deposit slip and take to bank
  • Get contribution records to contributors in a
    timely manner

52
Reclamation Of N.C. Sales Tax
  • Churches can claim refunds for NC Sales taxes
    paid. Forms are available
  • by calling 1-877-252-3052. Listed below are
    items for which churches
  • can NOT receive a refund
  • Tax paid on the purchase, lease, or rental of
    motor vehicles
  • State sales tax on electricity, natural gas, and
    telephone service
  • Local occupancy taxes on hotel bills and
    restaurant (prepared food) taxes
  • Scrap tire disposal and white goods tax
  • REIMBURSEMENTS MADE TO EMPLOYEES OR OTHER
    INDIVIDUALS FOR SALES TAX PAID DIRECTLY BY THE
    EMPLOYEE OR INDIVIDUAL

53
Planning Financial Support For Church Staff
  • The church has the responsibility of being a good
    employer. Staff/church policies and procedures,
    personnel handbooks, deliberate planning to
    address financial needs of the staff ALL
    contribute to a better work environment.

54
Forms, workbooks, sample policies and procedures,
etc. are available to the church through the Tar
River Baptist Association or the Baptist State
Convention of North Carolina or their websites.
55
Tar Rivers Website is www.tarriverba.com
  • The Baptist State Conventions website is
    www.ncbaptist.org

56
Six steps to financial support planning
  • Determine the needs
  • Establish written support policies
  • Provide for ministry-related expenses
  • Provide employee benefits
  • Determine personal income
  • Complete a financial support worksheet

57
Determining The Need
  • Ask each church employee to complete a Financial
    Support Review (copies available). This will
    help you determine if the church is adequately
    meeting both the churchs and the employees
    needs. This tool will enable the church to more
    effectively plan for this years staff support
    and the ministry needs of the church.

58
Financial support review
  • Forms are available at TRBA.
  • The church should ask each staff member to
    complete this form and return to the committee
    for their review.
  • The committee should determine if any
    adjustments should be made for that employee.

59
Financial support review
  • The following areas need to be reviewed
  • 1. Mileage driven the previous year for church
    business.
  • 2. Any foreseen major changes in mileage for the
    upcoming year.
  • The church should examine current and projected
    compensation at the IRS approved rates.

60
Financial support review
  • 3. How much money was spent by the staff member
    in travel expenses to participate in church and
    denominational conventions and conferences? This
    would include lodging, food, commercial
    transportation, parking fees, etc.
  • 4. Are their anticipated changes in convention,
    conference, education plans for next year?
  • The church should explore what expenses they
    will reimburse for such events.

61
Financial support review
  • 5. How much money was spent by the staff member
    on materials such as books, periodicals,
    subscriptions, tapes, etc. in preparation for
    sermons, studies, presentations, and other things
    related to the ministry of the staff member?
  • 6. Are their any special studies, promotions,
    activities planned by the church or denomination
    that will require additional purchases in the
    upcoming year?
  • The church should explore what expenses they
    will reimburse for such materials.

62
Financial support review
  • 7. How much money was spent by the staff member
    on professional development conferences,
    education, workshops, etc.- to improve the
    ministers ability to minister to the church?
  • The church should determine how much they will
    reimburse?
  • 8. How much money was spent by the staff member
    to entertain church groups, prospects, visiting
    evangelists, and other guests of the church in
    their home or a restaurant?
  • The church should determine how much they will
    reimburse to offset this expense to the staff
    member.

63
Thus far, we have just reviewed what it cost the
church staff member TO BE YOUR CHURCH STAFF
MEMBER. Now we need to look at the benefits the
church will provide and the personal income the
staff member can use as his/her personal income.
64
Protection Benefits
  • The church should do all it can to protect the
    staff member and his/her family. Perhaps the
    church can not do all it needs to do, but each
    year it needs to take additional steps to protect
    the staff member!

65
Protection Benefits
  • There are several things the church needs to
    know about its staff members so ask!
  • 1. Does the staff member have health insurance?
  • 2. What is the cost to the family?
  • 3. Will the cost increase for next year?
  • The church should determine how much it can do
    to offer this as a benefit for the staff member.
    If not fully, it can be reimbursed and/or a
    salary reduction agreement.

66
Financial support review
  • 4. Does the staff member have life insurance?
    What is the cost? Can the church cover this as a
    benefit if not already a benefit (remember
    anything over the 50,000 premium will have to
    count as income to the staff member).
  • 5. Does the staff member have disability
    insurance? What is the cost? Can the church
    include this as a benefit?
  • 6. Does the staff member make contributions to
    GuideStones Retirement Program? (PLEASE NOTE
    It is the opinion of your presenter that the
    staff member should participate in the GuideStone
    Retirement. There are certain benefits that
    AUTOMATICALLY come to the staff member that serve
    as a protection to the staff member and to the
    church as a result of the staff member's
    involvement.)

67
A Few Words About Special Benefits For
GuideStones Retirement Participants
  • If your church contributes 420 per staff member
    to any plan to the Cooperative Program of the
    Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and
    contributions are made on behalf of the staff
    member (by the staff member or the church), then
    the staff member AUTOMATICALLY has certain
    protection benefits IN ADDITION TO any other
    protection benefits they might have. (PLEASE
    NOTE This benefit is available to ANY minister
    (including music DIRECTOR) and to SUPPORT STAFF
    and daycare workers that work at least 20 hours
    per week (ministry positions have no minimum
    number of hours to work).
  • EVERY CHURCH SHOULD MAKE CERTAIN THAT MONTHLY
    CONTRIBUTIONS (AND I SAY AGAIN MONTHLY) SO THAT
    STAFF MEMBERS WILL HAVE THIS FREE BENEFIT!!!!!!!

68
More Words About Special Benefits For Annuity
Board Retirement Participants
  • Treasurers should make certain payments are made
    on all staff members behalf on a MONTHLY basis.
    Benefits are based on twelve months of
    consecutive (not catch up) contributions and
    participants would receive a pro rated benefit if
    payments were not made MONTHLY.

69
Yet----A Few More Words About Special Benefits
For GuideStones Retirement Participants
  • Eligible participants in the GuideStone
    Retirement System have the following AUTOMATIC
    benefits as a result of a partnership it the
    Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
  • Protection Benefits For contributions of 1 a
    month (of course, it should be more)
  • Disability Income Benefit of up to 500/month
  • Survivor Protection Benefit (based on age) of up
    to 100,000 and not less than 10,000 for those
    who die before retirement (Contributing interims
    are not considered retired)

70
Yet----A Few More Words About Special Benefits
For GuideStones Retirement Participants
  • Investment Benefit For contributions of 52 -
    105 the Baptist State Convention of North
    Carolina will contribute 1for every 3 the
    participant contributes.
  • Churches are encouraged to contribute 10 of
    staff members direct pay. The staff member is
    encouraged to contribute 5.

71
Now---we move into the personal or direct
income of the minister. That is, the money that
is available to the staff member to support the
family/personal expenses.
72
Personal income.
  • 1. How much was the salary for the staff member
    last year?
  • 2. Did the staff member receive a COLA or merit
    raise last year?
  • 3. What was the housing allowance or value of
    the parsonage last year?
  • 4. How much SECA taxes were paid by the staff
    member last year?
  • 5. How much did the church provide last year for
    SS Offset?
  • Upon review of the above, the church should
    determine what adjustments need to be made in the
    next budget cycle for the staff member.

73
STEP 2 Establish written financial support
policies--------Every church should do all it can
to cut down on the potential for conflict in the
church. Written policies clarify intentions and
reduce the potential for misunderstandings.
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Written policies should include.
  • Ministry related expenses Should clearly state
    what the church considers allowable business
    expenses staff member record keeping
    expectations types of expenses to be reimbursed
    and reimbursement rates, etc.
  • Employee benefits Should define levels of
    coverage the church will provide for insurances
    retirement contributions by the church
    educational expenses SS Offset, etc.

75
Written policies should include.
  • Personal Income This is the direct income the
    staff member receives (housing allowance and
    taxable salary).
  • OTHER Personnel policies There are several
    other policies the church should consider for its
    employees, including the following
  • Vacation Sick leave
  • Sabbatical leave Hiring issues
  • Employee classifications Work hours
  • Pay periods Church expectations in
    call backs from conferences/vacations

76
  • ????Any Specific Questions????
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