Church bookkeepers have for a long time been confused with accountants. They, however, carry very different responsibilities. Bookkeepers maintain the financial records of the church that includes income and expense records. They are supposed to keep records of the dates and amount of every transaction of the church. It is also their task to keep…
Many ministers purchase computers to use for their ministry work but also end up using them for home e-mails or other personal purposes. Are you able to deduct the purchase of a computer that is used both for work and for home? The answer is yes, a portion of it can be deductible. When deducting…
IRS is starting to issue adjustment letters on 1040 returns that were filed back in April. If you receive one of these notices, don’t panic. Instead, follow these simple steps to figure out what to do. Read the letter in full. It should explain what part of the return they are adjusting, whether it is…
None of us could have anticipated what this spring was going to be like when 2020 church budgets were being prepared last summer or fall. Yes, we are in unfamiliar territory. Two-thirds of self-identified church leaders say giving to their churches has dropped significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic became widespread nationwide in March—with sizable numbers…
On July 28th of 2020, the IRS published the following guidance on Churches making political statements. “Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to…
We are one month away from the extended deadline for 1040 filings. Here are answers to many of the frequently asked questions we receive this time of year. When is the filing deadline? The extended filing deadline for the 2019 1040 return is October 15th. Can I get an extension past October 15th? No,…
Q. My employee’s child’s school is operating on an alternate day (or other hybrid-attendance) basis. The school is open each day, but students alternate between days attending school in person and days participating in remote learning. They are permitted to attend school only on their allotted in-person attendance days. Can the employee take paid leave…
A couple questions that CFR gets every tax season are “Why am I getting assessed an estimated tax penalty?” and “What is an estimated tax penalty?” The US has a “pay as you go” tax system. Instead of paying your taxes in a lump sum, the IRS expects payments throughout the year. Most W-2 wage…
When working with taxes, financial planning and retirement, you often have to provide sensitive information. You don’t want your social security number or finances released to the public, so it is important to take some precautions. While e-mail is a fast and easy way to send information, it’s not as secure as you may think….
The IRS has issued Notice 2020-65 deferring the withholding and deposit of the employee’s share of Social Security (OASDI) taxes on applicable wages. Specifically, the deferral applies to applicable wages paid on a pay date between September 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. The availability of deferral is based on the date the employee is paid….
