Which organizations can receive deductible charitable contributions.
You can ask any organization whether it is a qualified organization, and most will be able to tell you. Or go to IRS.gov. Click on “Tools” and then on “Exempt Organizations Select Check” (www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Exempt-Organizations-Select-Check). This online tool will enable you to search for qualified organizations.
Keeping Employee Files
In order to comply with regulations and be able to find information quickly when necessary, churches should actually keep several different files for all their employee records. Typically, those files should be: The Personnel File This file should only contain information that relates to an employee’s job and job-related decisions, such as applications, performance reviews,…
Exempt or Nonexempt? Actual Job Duties Matter, Not Job Title
Determining an employee’s proper classification requires a fact-driven assessment that looks beyond a job description and examines exactly what the employee does on a daily basis and performed during the last two years. It is not uncommon for an employer to state, “we pay all of our employees as salaried or a set rate for…
Three Administrative Steps when Hiring Employees
Step 1. Set up Records for Withholding Taxes According to the IRS, you must keep records of employment taxes for at least four years. Keeping good records can also help you monitor the progress of your church, financial statements, identify sources of receipts, keep track of expenses, and payroll tax returns, etc. Below are three types of withholding taxes you…
Box 14 of the W2 Form
Box 14 of the W2 Form is often viewed as an optional box by secular employers to report miscellaneous information to their employees. However, due to the complexity of clergy tax law, it has always been highly recommended by the IRS and an industry standard to report housing allowance in box 14. This best practice…
How long should we keep employment records
We always recommend to keep all employment tax records for at least six years after filing the 4th quarter for the year. Records should include: Your employer identification number. Amounts and dates of all wage, annuity, and pension payments. The fair market value of in-kind wages paid. Names, addresses, social security numbers, and occupations of…
What is FICA?
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) is a U.S. law requiring a deduction from paychecks and income that goes toward the Social Security program and Medicare. Both employees and employers are responsible for sharing the FICA payments. The church is required to pay Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes on all non-clergy employees. All nonprofits must withhold…
How to Avoid a Tax Audit
Besides flagrant errors and intentional lies, four innocent mistakes often attract the attention of the IRS or your state. Should you make one of these mistakes, you need an “audit trail” and filing record ready to prevent the initial investigation from becoming a full-blown audit. Let’s cover the red flags first and disaster prevention second….
5 Tips for Taxpayers Who Travel for Charity Work
Do you plan to travel while doing 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 the IRS wants you to know about travel while serving a charity. You must volunteer to work for a qualified organization….
Top 10 Employee Handbook Mistakes
An Overly Detailed Discipline Procedure … Instead use a cautionary phrase such as “Violation of this policy may lead to discipline, up to and including termination of employment.” Not Controlling Meal and Rest Periods … We should not be interfering with an employee’s ability to take their required meal and rest period breaks. Not Controlling…
