February 28, 2011
Generally, most income you receive is considered taxable but there are situations when certain types of income are partially taxed or not taxed at all. All sources of income are fully taxable and must be included in your income unless it is specifically excluded by law. To help clergy understand the differences between taxable and…
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January 27, 2011
Did you know that your children may help you qualify for some tax benefits? Here are 8 tax benefits to consider when filing your tax returns this year. Dependents. In most cases, a child can be claimed as a dependent in the year they were born. Child Tax Credit. You may be able to take…
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January 14, 2011
Phil Driscoll owns two homes. One in Cleveland Tennessee and a lake home outside of Cleveland Tennessee. Phil Driscoll is an ordained gospel minister. Phil Driscoll Ministries paid for both homes and it was excluded from his income under the Pastor’s Housing allowance under Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The IRS…
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December 27, 2010
Clergy who claim deductions for home-mortgage interest, gifts to charity and state and local taxes will have to wait until middle to late February to file their 2010 returns. The Internal Revenue Service attributed the late start of the filing season to changes in tax law for 2010 that were finished last week. The agency…
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December 21, 2010
On December 17, 2010, President Obama signed into law H.R. 4853, the Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act Of 2010, which will affect every U.S. employer and several areas of payroll, tax and benefits administration in January. Back in 2008, after the passage of the 2008 stimulus package, many taxpayers received $300…
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December 8, 2010
2011 Standard Mileage Rates The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2011 standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for ministry, business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2011, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, or pickups ) are listed below….
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November 24, 2010
The end of the year is the perfect time to switch payroll companies. Clergy Financial Resources offers an easy online payroll management service that specifically meets the requirements of religious organizations. We have an unparalleled tax expertise on the complex issues associated with church payroll and clergy compensation. Sixty percent of churches do not follow…
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October 25, 2010
The proposed salary package will normally represent the previous pastor’s salary package or the guidelines set by your organization. 1- Does the church provide a social security allowance? 15.3% or 7.65% of salary and housing. 2- Does the church provide for the supplemental medical insurance? 3-Does the church provide a 100% professional accountable reimbursement plan?…
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October 21, 2010
Here’s a quick checklist of tax savings strategies to consider and apply before the end of December: 1. Make Charitable Contributions and Donations: Generally, for individuals, contributions to tax-exempt charitable organizations are limited to 50 percent of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income for the tax year. Those unused items cluttering closets can be donated to…
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October 18, 2010
Ministers are individuals who are duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed by a religious body constituting a church or church denomination. They are given the authority to conduct religious worship, perform sacerdotal functions, and administer ordinances or sacraments according to the prescribed tenets and practices of that church or denomination. If a church or denomination ordains…
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