Navigating Church Finances: Keeping it Simple & IRS Compliant l Church Bookkeeping, Church Payroll, Minister Taxes

Hey there, I’m Michelle and I love all things Jesus, business and church finances! I help church finance individuals just like you go from feeling confused and frustrated with what you don’t know about church finances, to being more confident in your role while increasing your proficiency and expertise in the church finance realm. Are you tired of Google searches that result in endless pages of answers to your questions about church finances, housing allowances and clergy taxes? Do you need help with getting the right processes and procedures in place for your church office or business? Are you looking for a group of like-minded believers who understand your desire to do business and serve the local church God’s way? In this podcast, you will find practical AND biblically based business solutions for your church office or bookkeeping business that serves churches . We will give you tried and true bookkeeping tips and lessons that are specific to the church ministry and other foundational practices that you need in place to make sure that the church(es) that you serve are in compliance with current industry standards and IRS tax code. My mission is simple: to help church bookkeepers/treasurers/finance individuals become more confident in their role and increase their expertise in church finances so the church can continue her mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ If you are ready to walk out the calling the Lord has on your life while serving Him with excellence - then you are definitely in the right place! If you are ready to serve your church with confidence while keeping God at the center of everything you do - this podcast is for you! So grab a notebook and pen to take some great notes. It’s time to serve Him with Excellence! Learn: www.churchfinances.org Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/churchbookkeepingandclergytax

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Episodes

Tuesday Nov 12, 2024

Summary
Direct Employer Payments: Benevolence funds provided directly by an employer to an employee are generally included in the employee's gross income under Section 102(c).
Qualified Disaster Relief Payments: Payments made by an employer to employees for disaster-related expenses can be excluded from gross income under Section 139 if they meet the criteria for qualified disaster relief payments.
Documentation: Employers must ensure that payments are commensurate with the expenses incurred and maintain adequate records to support the exclusion from gross income.
In conclusion, while benevolence funds provided by an employer are typically taxable, exceptions exist under Section 139 for qualified disaster relief payments, provided specific criteria and documentation requirements are met.
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps: 
Click below to learn more about me and my current offers
https://my.linkpod.site/MBrownEA
 
Disclaimer: The information provided in the Church Finance and Minister Tax podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The content discussed is based on personal opinions, experiences, and research performed and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or legal expert for advice regarding your specific situation. The host and guests of this podcast are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. 
 

Monday Nov 04, 2024

The determination of whether an individual is an employee or an independent contractor is based on the common law rules, which consider various factors indicating the degree of control and direction the employer has over the worker. According to the IRS regulations and rulings, the following seven factors are significant in establishing an employer-employee relationship.
FREE https://churchpayrollcompliancekit.com
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps: 
Click below to learn more about me and my current offers
https://my.linkpod.site/MBrownEA
 
Disclaimer: The information provided in the Church Finance and Minister Tax podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The content discussed is based on personal opinions, experiences, and research performed and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or legal expert for advice regarding your specific situation. The host and guests of this podcast are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. 
 

Wednesday Oct 30, 2024

Do you think all ministers are automatically self-employed for payroll? We are going to answer that question today as we walk through the ins and outs of ministerial employment status with a story to show why it’s so crucial for churches to get this right. 
 
New FREEBIE!
https://churchpayrollcompliancekit.com
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps: 
Click below to learn more about me and my current offers
https://my.linkpod.site/MBrownEA
 
Disclaimer: The information provided in the Church Finance and Minister Tax podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The content discussed is based on personal opinions, experiences, and research performed and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or legal expert for advice regarding your specific situation. The host and guests of this podcast are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. 

Tuesday Oct 22, 2024

The three most common mistakes churches make with 1099 forms are:
Misclassifying Employees as Independent Contractors: Churches often incorrectly classify workers (e.g., ministers, musicians, or administrative staff) as independent contractors when they should be treated as employees. This can result in tax penalties for the church and confusion for the worker about their tax obligations.
Failing to Issue 1099-NEC for Eligible Workers: Churches sometimes neglect to issue 1099-NEC forms to individuals or businesses paid $600 or more in a year for services. This oversight can lead to fines for failure to file the required forms with the IRS.
Incorrectly Filling Out 1099 Forms: Common mistakes include entering wrong taxpayer identification numbers (TINs), misreporting payment amounts, or filing forms late. These errors can result in penalties and additional scrutiny from the IRS.
To hear more and to learn what mistakes have to be fixed, take a listen to today's episode.
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps: 
Click below to learn more about me and my current offers
https://my.linkpod.site/MBrownEA
 
Disclaimer: The information provided in the Church Finance and Minister Tax podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The content discussed is based on personal opinions, experiences, and research performed and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or legal expert for advice regarding your specific situation. The host and guests of this podcast are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. 
 

Wednesday Oct 09, 2024

Today we’re going to tackle a crucial topic for small churches—how to create an effective budget, even when resources are tight. Budgeting can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with limited income, but with the right approach, it’s not only manageable, it can help your church grow and thrive.
 
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps: 
Click below to learn more about me and my current offers
https://my.linkpod.site/MBrownEA
 
Disclaimer: The information provided in the Church Finance and Minister Tax podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The content discussed is based on personal opinions, experiences, and research performed and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or legal expert for advice regarding your specific situation. The host and guests of this podcast are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. 
 

Tuesday Oct 01, 2024

What does the IRS have to say about voluntary withholding on housing allowances? Check out todays episode to find out!
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps: 
Click below to learn more about me and my current offers
https://my.linkpod.site/MBrownEA
 
Disclaimer: The information provided in the Church Finance and Minister Tax podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The content discussed is based on personal opinions, experiences, and research performed and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or legal expert for advice regarding your specific situation. The host and guests of this podcast are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. 
 

Tuesday Sep 24, 2024

A recent graduate of the Intro to Church Finances course shares her experience with us today.
Sign up for the Intro to Church Finances Course today! Cart closes on Monday, September 30th.
https://www.churchfinances.org/icfcourse
Hope to see you there!
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps: 
Click below to learn more about me and my current offers
https://my.linkpod.site/MBrownEA
 
Disclaimer: The information provided in the Church Finance and Minister Tax podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The content discussed is based on personal opinions, experiences, and research performed and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or legal expert for advice regarding your specific situation. The host and guests of this podcast are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. 
 

Tuesday Sep 17, 2024

Link to sign up for the webinar
https://churchfinances.ck.page/6e9ec4fa85
 
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps: 
Click below to learn more about me and my current offers
https://my.linkpod.site/MBrownEA

Wednesday Sep 11, 2024

Webinar sign up page!  Year end Wrap up
I was recently asked what services a professional bookkeeper could offer to churches. 
 I share in today's episode the services I offer through my firm that I recommend other bookkeepers offer as well. 
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps: 
Click below to learn more about me and my current offers
https://my.linkpod.site/MBrownEA
 
Disclaimer: The information provided in the Church Finance and Minister Tax podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The content discussed is based on personal opinions, experiences, and research performed and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or legal expert for advice regarding your specific situation. The host and guests of this podcast are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. 
 

Tuesday Sep 03, 2024

New Harassment Law from the EEOC is discussed to make you aware of who it affects in your church and how you should respond.
https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/enforcement-guidance-harassment-workplace
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps: 
Click below to learn more about me and my current offers
https://my.linkpod.site/MBrownEA
 
Disclaimer: The information provided in the Church Finance and Minister Tax podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The content discussed is based on personal opinions, experiences, and research performed and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or legal expert for advice regarding your specific situation. The host and guests of this podcast are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. 
 

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