Performance Raises vs Market Raises

Question: Our senior leadership team wants to focus on compensation this quarter. Currently, our raises and bonuses are tied to performance. Can you help me to understand the HR best practices for raises based on performance vs. raises based on market? Answer:  It sounds like your senior leadership team prefers to place an emphasis on…

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Can We Reimburse for the Cost of Meals?

Question: Currently, we pay our church staff $35 per day per diem for meals when they travel to attend training out of town. We have found that they sometimes eat very cheaply to save the money and pocket the difference. Do we have the option to reimburse them for the actual cost of meals using…

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How Do I Pay Estimated Taxes?

Clergy are subject to estimated tax payments on a quarterly basis which include federal, social security and state taxes. For example, when you receive clergy income in the first quarter of the year, the taxes are due at the end of that quarter. The year is divided into four payment periods, or due dates, for…

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8 Questions to Ask your Tax Preparer

Check the Company’s History Ask the Better Business Bureau about the preparer. Clergy Financial Resources has been the leading provider of tax, payroll and HR solutions exclusively for religious organizations and clergy for over 37 years. BBB has provided us the highest available rating of A+. Ask about Service Fees Avoid preparers who base fees on a…

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Beware of the Estimated Payment Penalty

Clergy must elect optional withholdings from their wages and/or make estimated tax payments evenly throughout the year. When they do not, the IRS may impose the estimated tax penalty, commonly referred to as the underpayment penalty. There is no general reasonable-cause exception for the estimated tax penalty; therefore, it is often more difficult to get the penalty…

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Find charities you can trust and support

You can browse charities that have been evaluated by Charity Navigator by category – such as education or human services – to identify groups you want to support. Having a giving plan will make it easier to avoid making impulse donations.

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6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Charitable Giving

A qualified tax professional can advise you on the best methods for your situation. Here are a few strategies to consider when gifting: Take advantage of the annual gift tax exclusion. It allows you to give away up to $14,000 to as many people as you wish without those gifts counting against your $5.49 million lifetime…

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FAQs About Form I-9

We receive a lot of questions about the I-9—the form used to verify the identity and employment authorization of all individuals hired for employment in the United States. Here are some of the most common: 1: Is The New Form Available Now? Yes. The new I-9 form was released November 14. You may now use it,…

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Protect Your Data

What to Do If You Suffer a Data Breach or Other Security Incident Should you experience a data compromise, there are certain basic steps you should take. Preliminary steps include: Contact the IRS and law enforcement: Internal Revenue Service – Report data theft to your local IRS Office. They should notify IRS Criminal Investigation and others within the…

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Scam Alert – Loans

CLERGY FINANCE SERVICES  9533 TELEGRAPH RD PICO RIVERA, CA (888) 444-6897 Website: http://clergyfinanceservices.com/index.html (This address belongs to a donut shop)  Source:  https://www.scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&p=316664  https://www.yelp.com/biz/master-fresh-donut-pico-rivera If you have a complaint against Clergy Finance Services , you can file a complaint through a toll-free Consumer Help Line, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or online with the Federal Trade Commission. Please use Reference #79819093. https://www.ftc.gov/…

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