IRS Releases Dirty Dozen Scam List: Don’t be a Victim Each year, people fall prey to tax scams. That’s why the IRS sends a list of its annual “Dirty Dozen.” Stay safe and be informed – don’t become a victim. Identity theft. Identity theft, especially around tax time, is at the top of the “Dirty Dozen”…

Aside from the training that comes with a new hire, the church is also required to report their employment to the designated state agency for which you reside. Failure to do so is a direct violation of The New Hire Reporting Program which was mandated by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. New hire…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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,…