Employees vs. Independent Contractors: What Ministries Need to Know Religious ministries frequently engage independent contractors for various services, including musicians, athletic coaches, and other specialized roles. However, proper classifications of workers is crucial to ensure compliance with federal and state labor laws. Misclassification can lead...
Question: When and how do I pay employees that travel? Answer: It depends! Paying employees for travel time depends on the type of travel and their work schedule. Here’s a quick breakdown to help guide you: Home-to-Work Travel: Regular commuting to an employee’s usual worksite—like driving...
When a church provides a health care allowance to its pastor, the tax implications can vary based on how the allowance is structured. Here’s a detailed explanation: Direct Payments to the Pastor: If the church pays a health care allowance directly to the pastor to cover...
Crafting compensation packages for church pastors is a process distinctly different from setting salaries and benefits in the for-profit sector. What is Social Security Allowance? A Social Security allowance is an additional payment made by churches to clergy to help cover their Social Security tax burden....
Honoraria income for clergy refers to payments received for services where a set fee is not legally or traditionally required. These services often include weddings, funerals, baptisms, and guest speaking engagements. Here are some key points to understand: Definition and Nature Honorarium: A voluntary payment...
If you missed a quarterly estimated tax payment, here are some steps you can take: Make the Payment as Soon as Possible: Even if it’s late, making it as soon as possible will help reduce any potential penalties and interest. The IRS may charge a penalty for...
Question: As a faith-based ministry, do we really need harassment prevention training? Answer: Some ministries may think, “That would never happen here.” But the reality is, harassment can happen anywhere, and prevention is crucial. In many states, harassment prevention training is not just recommended, it’s legally...
Determining which mileage is deductible for your ministry involves a few key steps: Identify Ministry Use: Ensure that the mileage you’re claiming is for business purposes related to your ministry. This includes travel for conducting religious worship, performing sacerdotal functions, and other ministerial duties. Commuting to your...
A minister cannot claim housing expenses for the months they are not employed as a minister. Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code specifies that the rental value of a home furnished to a minister as part of their compensation, or a rental allowance paid to...
To determine if you can take a tax deduction for travel expenses that include both personal and business elements, you must evaluate whether the trip is primarily for business purposes and whether the expenses are ordinary and necessary in the conduct of your trade or...