What are the greatest benefits to pastors (and church workers)?
Frank Sommerville (CPA, attorney, and editorial advisor for Church Law & Tax): Pastors will benefit along with 80.4 percent of other Americans. Nothing affects the pastors differently from the other population.
Ted Batson (CPA, partner and tax counsel of CPA firm CapinCrouse): There are no specific provisions in the new legislation that target pastors or church workers. So any benefits that a pastor or other church worker will experience will be the same benefits that other taxpayers experience. In addition, the significant differences that exist between the individual circumstances of one family or individual over another mean that provisions that will benefit one taxpayer may have little effect on another. Here are some representative examples:
There are new tax brackets with lower tax rates. This will likely mean that many pastors will see a reduction in their taxable income even if nothing else changes (an unlikely scenario given the broad reach of the new tax act).
For pastors that have significant mortgage interest, charitable contributions, state and local taxes, and medical expenses, the doubling of the standard deduction may have little impact. Although the new $10,000 cap on deducting the combined total state and local property taxes and income taxes (or sales tax in some states) may impact some pastors.
For other pastors, the doubling of the standard deduction may be a significant benefit. If, in prior years, their personal exemptions plus their itemized deductions were less than the new $24,000 standard deduction, they will see an immediate benefit.
For families with children under age 16, the increase in the child tax credit to $2,000 will produce a new benefit. Moreover, for some, the increase of the refundable amount of the credit to $1,400 may increase the tax benefit the pastor receives.
Mike Batts (CPA, managing partner of Batts Morrison Wales & Lee, P.A.): The benefits to pastors and church workers parallel those for other taxpayers… with the most significant benefit being lower taxes generally.
What are the greatest benefits to churches?
Sommerville: Since most of the church members will receive an increase in their take-home pay starting in February 2018, members will have a greater capacity to give in 2018. While other charities complain [that] the increased standard deduction will decrease the incentive to give, most members give out of their religious beliefs—not out of some perceived tax benefit. In fact, some [of our clients who do charitable giving] refuse to claim the charitable contribution on their tax returns. The same motives exist for members who remember the church in their will. I do not think the increased standard deduction and increased exclusion from estate taxes will impact giving at churches. The tax decease will definitely benefit the church.
The expansion of Section 529 plans to private K-12 schools will present a new opportunity for those churches that operate Christian schools. This greatly expands the funding options available to parents and grandparents.
Batson: There are no discernible benefits to churches or other nonprofits. If anything the potential negative impact on charitable giving, estimated to be $13 billion in a study performed by the Indiana University Ruth Lilly School of Philanthropy, means churches and charities are a loser from this legislation.
Batts: I wouldn’t characterize any aspect of the law as benefitting churches or other nonprofits particularly. The law is directed at helping individual taxpayers and businesses. Despite predictions that the higher standard deduction for individuals and lower rates will result in decreased charitable contributions, churches and other nonprofits can still hope that the economic impact of the tax reductions, together with economic growth, will spur an increase in giving.
What are the drawbacks for both groups—churches and those employed by the church?
Sommerville: Some are disappointed that the Johnson Amendment [prohibiting certain political activity by churches] was not repealed. Some are concerned that the tax cuts will lead to reductions in the grants given to charities to assist the poor. The changes to the unrelated business income will negatively [affect] a few churches that have multiple sources of unrelated income.
Batson: Churches may experience a decline in giving. This is because the doubling of the standard deduction will mean that some parishioners will not benefit from itemizing their deductions, of which the charitable deduction is one…However, churches may see less of an impact than other nonprofit organizations where tax considerations may have larger bearing on charitable giving. For churches that teach tithing as an act of worship, tax benefits of giving will likely be a secondary consideration.
For some pastors that have claimed deductions for unreimbursed employee expenses, this deduction was suspended, so those pastors will lose a deduction that may or may not be valuable depending on how much they benefit from the increased standard deduction.
For pastors that move in 2018 through 2025, they will no longer be able to deduct their moving expenses, nor with their church be able to reimburse these expenses on a tax-free basis.
Batts: Some studies have predicted that the increase in the standard deduction and the decrease in tax rates will result in decreased overall charitable giving. But it is not at all clear that such studies have adequately considered the impact of economic expansion on their assessments.
Republicans have said they hope to make the tax cuts for individuals permanent rather than letting them expire in 2025 (as currently written). If that is not achieved, what will happen once the tax cuts expire?
Sommerville: According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, over 80.4 percent of individual Americans will receive a tax cut, while only 4.8 percent will see an increase.
Batson: The vast majority of the changes that impact individuals (e.g., the doubling of the standard deduction, the suspension of the personal exemption deduction, etc.) are set to “sunset” on December 31, 2025. That means that on January 1, 2026, those changes will revert back to the law as it exists today. However, the amounts will be adjusted for inflation factors that would have applied had the law as it is in effect today remained unchanged.
What are the drawbacks for both groups—churches and those employed by the church? Jim Price Steve Maxwell Link Hudson Jimmy Humphrey
it’s not really my area, but I think most of the folks from the CoG (Cleveland) denomination take the standard deduction and don’t give to church to get a tax deduction.
If you give to an evangelist, you can also give personally rather than through the plate and say, “This is one of those personal gifts you do not have to pay tax on” to keep the IRS from taking a cut of an offering for him.
Link Again which cog ? All US cogs serve tax deduction letters per tithes by the end of January of each year. You probably mean Indonesia which is not really a cog but amalgamated into their international structures.Non-profit evangelists also report to IRS and have IRS number to be able to return receipts that are tax deductible. Arent you a PhD in economix or something ?
I mean US. I haven’t read the demographics of the COG, but a lot of people in the ‘working class’ and middle class brackets, I would imagine, take the standard deduction.
I have a PhD in business administration, but tax is a speciality. Some accountants, not all, specialize in that. I’m not an accountant.
Well cog congregations like our aog have to serve tax deduction letters by law Some cog pastors may confirm
When the standard deduction doubles that’s 6,000.00. So how much additional would one have it give. Ill gladly trade for the new deduction
A larger standard deduction may mean even fewer people trying to keep all those receipts all year. Self-employed people keep receipts, or should, but they can still fill out a schedule SE and a schedule C and take the standard deduction.
Standard deduction doubled will be 13K Grover
I thought the article said $24,000 standard deduction. Maybe that’s what it was for me with four kids last time. When you have a few kids, the standard deduction starts looking pretty good. Do COG people tend to be married with kids?
it will be 24 next year – The standard deduction for single taxpayers and married couples filing separately is $6,350 in 2017, up from $6,300 in 2016; for married couples filing jointly, the standard deduction is $12,700, up $100 from the prior year; and for heads of households, the standard deduction is $9,350 for 2017 They are changing the child tax credit / deduction next year Link Hudson
Link lets see if we can get some cog pastors to confirm. I am pretty sure each congregation by law must issue tax letter to each tithe paying member. Does it make a difference if the local congregation is incorporated? Ed Brewer David Lewayne Porter Jimmy Humphrey Daniel Rushing 50K for a single filer Grover
Any 501c3, incorporated or not, must provide an end of year giving statement to every donor. It must be post marked no later than 1/31.
That’s what I thought Link Hudson
I’ve never actually needed the letter, personally, though churches do send them out in the US.
Link BTW the article did say 24K and it lost me there. 24K will be the standard deduction for couples filing jointly in 2019 Will 24K be for single ministers too 🙂
There is no requirement for ANY church to issue a ‘tax letter’ or other instrument as a matter of IRS policy – publication 1771 governs the requirements for deductability of contributions, but it has no legal standing to compel a church to provide such information. The onus is on the donor to receive ‘contemporaneous’ proof from the donee in order to substantiate the gift, and if they refuse there is no regulatory relief– obviously any church SHOULD provide that information in a format to meet the deductability requirements for its donors, and whether or not they do should be considered by the donor before he or she makes their contribution. As to your question, the status of local incorporation has no bearing on this matter.
hahah you tell this to any of your members bro Ed and dont give them that letter and see what they will tell you come your next paycheck 🙂
Daniel Rushing – your information is incorrect – churches are given specific exemption to the reporting requirements of section 501(c)3
501(c)3 does not require churches to pay their pastors either 🙂
Ed Brewer No sir. Perhaps you misunderstood me. But if your 501c3 received money from donors, you must give those donors a statement for them to use as proof when they file their personal taxes.
arent you all under one single 501c3 cog letter
It is possible that it’s not a legal requirement, though. Perhaps I’ve just always worked for churches that had it in their by laws to do so.
Troy Day Yes.
That would be nice for them. Some of em could dedect all their income.
Link Catholic priests have done it with great success ever since there were Catholics in America
Daniel Rushing 501c3, incorporated or not – then we have 501s that are registered with the state but never got through IRS registration http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/should-churches-stop-being-501c3/
bro Ed come to think about it you may be wrong on this one because single donations of $250.00 adhere to IRC 170(f) (8) (A) (B) (C) which I have listed below:
• No deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any contribution of $250 or more unless the taxpayer substantiates the contribution by a contemporaneous written acknowledgment of the contribution by the donee organization that meets the requirements of subparagraph (B).
The onus is on the taxpayer, not the church
Actually this is from the cog Church Treasurer’s Manual
2009 Edition I just found on the net It says this
Written Acknowledgment
If a donor claims a tax deduction on any single gift over $250.00, the church must provide
written acknowledgment of the gift to the donor. The substantiation requirements vary according
to the type of gift (i.e., cash, property, personal items). However, individual cash contributions
of $250 or more must receive a written acknowledgment. The law specifies that a written
acknowledgment must include the following information:
a. The donor’s name (a social security number is not required).
b. Value of any goods or services provided by charity – the statement must
indicate whether or not the church provided any goods or services to the
donor in exchange for the contribution, and if so, the statement must also
include a good faith estimate of the value of those goods or services.
c. If the church provides no goods or services to a donor in exchange for a
contribution, or if the only goods or services the church provides are
“intangible religious benefits,” then the receipt must contain a statement to
that effect.
The written acknowledgment from the church is required to be in the donor’s possession prior to
the donor claiming the deduction. To facilitate giving, the church treasurer should attempt to
have all year-end donor statements out by no later than the end of January. Interim quarterly
statements are helpful for donors to track their giving. However, the year-end statement should
be comprehensive with at least the above information included.
Again, this is not based on a legal requirement on the church, but on what is required for the donor to receive credit for the deduction – it is a Church Of God policy directive, not a legal requirement.
Notice it doesn’t mention the ‘quid pro quo’ directions for gifts in kind and real property donations, but the $75 rule still applies for credit, not as a legal directive.
isnt policy directive like a legal requirement?
Yes. If your organization’s by laws state it, you have to do it.
They don’t have the force of law, but they do carry the vulnerability for liability.
A policy manual is not the same as bylaws
It is simply operating instructions and procedures- accounting procedures should NEVER be included in the bylaws – setup to cut your own throat
Ed Brewer It can be. There is legal precedent. Better safe than sorry.
Daniel Rushing I’d like to see that precedent – as far as I know there has never been a successful enforcement action of this type that has withstood appeal except for cases where the conduct explicitly ‘pierced the corporate veil’ – conduct that ran counter to express legal strictures of duly accepted bylaws. That’s another reason not to take the bait of the ambulance chasers that want to make it blindingly complex for churches to focus on their purpose instead of living in fear of ‘what if’.
There is broad constitutional protection for churches that supersedes subordinate instructions and procedural interference
Daniel Rushing I’m not – we give em every year – detailed ones that meet the requirements for contemporaneous proof we’ve mentioned — what I’m passionate about is government meddling in the affairs of the church in any way, and the money is the camel’s nose under the tent
We do it because it’s right and beneficial for our people, not because some beurocracy says we have to.
Link most cog I know itemize and even record millage 🙂 now that this one is resolved what else did you see for churches
That’s why all self employed people needs to be incorporated either in a LLC or a sub s like me
There are some legal advantages, but someone still has to save the receipts.
Yes but most of mine are online like revenue, fuel etc
more work for Mrs Grover Katzmarek 🙂
No she doesn’t understand most of it so on Saturday once a month I sit down and enter everything on QuickBooks usually less than an hour.
ha-a QuickBooks was the last one to receive IRS forms this year Itemizing does help US ministers a lot Link
By the way I was released to go back to work this week after my open heart surgery week of thanksgiving, it was a triple bypass
Troy Day You can also keep track of receipts for a schedule C and take the standard deduction, depending on what you do. Ministers might benefit from itemizing, depending on what they do. I’d imagine sales people would, too. But I doubt many people in the pews who work at factories (rarer these days), offices, retail outlets, etc. and nearly all their income comes from paychecks need to bother with it.
I disagree. The new increase in standard deduction comes namely from most people having to itemize
I looked it up on H&R website it said standard was single 12,000.00, head of household 18,000. Married filing joint 24,000.00
Troy Day That may be the case, but I do not see how that is disagreeing with something I said.
It would make sense for the IRS’s workload that if much of the population were getting large deductions on average by itemizing, for the government to increase the standard deduction to save IRS agents, individual tax payers, and accountants time and hassle. I suspect the government doesn’t because so logically, though. I think the increase in the standard deduction comes from politicians wanting to please the people, stimulate the economy, help working Americans, etc.
Grover Katzmarek Sr So that’s all doubling?
Btw, is our country just going to borrow more money from China in the form of T-bills, etc. to pay for our programs?
No more than doubling for some, double for a single
yes 24k I posted it above WHY the article says 24K per minister is a mystery for me
Do you know married filing joint under the new law?
(Btw, if it passed and was signed, it’s not just a bill, up on capitol hill. “He signed yah, Bill. Now you’re a law.”
Someone needs to make a comedy video about executive orders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFroMQlKiag
Troy Day Maybe the author just assumed they would all be married filing jointly. That’s odd.
married filing joint under the new bill => 24K however child credit will be removed or modified + EIC
Troy Day The poor can get money back from the child tax credit, even if they do not owe. But this may discourage ‘welfare mamas’ from having more kids.
I think EIC can give money to poor working people, even if they do not owe, too.
This is the part that is changing + food boxes instead of food stamps
They preselect the food to give out?
What kind of health restrictions are on food stamps? Can they buy coca-cola, snickers, and chewing gum with them?
I’ve heard a lot of the poor in the inner cities do not eat enough vegetables. Requiring a certain pre-set menu with some flexibility may make more sense.
The food box thing is still under debate, right? It sounds inefficient if the government has to deliver food or pay companies to do it. They could just put restrictions on what people are allowed to buy. Just fruit, vegetables, bread, meat, pasta, generic brands, etc.
mhm- they are getting meat – steak and lobster
There could be a way to do this and save money, like get foeld corn out of the supply chain early. From farmer to an approved vendor. Field corn isn’t bad really.
Our church accou,rant is on a mission trip to Guatemala right now ill see what he says when he returns
Ed Brewer what else benefits churches/ministers in the new GOP Bill?
I’m not an expert on the bill, but from what I’ve been told there’s nothing that profoundly affects the church other than some peripheral disincentive caused by the increased standard deduction
nothing that profoundly is probably very much so
Why Troy Day! You don’t trust our benevolent big brother?
I hope you dont mean Trump here 🙂
Ricky Grimsley Grover Katzmarek Sr Jim Price Ed Brewer Link Hudson David Rollings David Lewayne Porter Daniel Rushing SHOULD CHURCHES STOP BEING 501(C)3 then? http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/should-churches-stop-being-501c3/
So churches have to form 501c3s to be tax exempt?
Yes, if they want to be able to give federal receipts OR be under their main organization/denomination exempt
Churches existed before 501c3. I’ve read a differing opinion. Individuals might have to fight to get deductions, but would a church that isn’t 501c3 be taxed?
I am not aware of any church that can issue receipts today without 501c3 FEDERAL status – not just state
That’s about money, treasures on earth. Yes, that will be of great interest to them.
when the tax break limits your church work – what do you do? What did the Catholic church do in the 60s?
Troy Day What on earth do, can you mean?
Nothing should limit the work that you do for the Lord.
Philip Williams how much tax do Catholic priests pay?
Troy Day
I don’t know. I’m not interested in money. Ask your fellow Pentecostal professional clergy.
Philip Williams and I do know and am telling you
Troy Day ummm. Yes, all you professional clergy are knowledgeable about what concerns you.
Philip Williams you are quite assuming of course just like with the noah’s ark encounter case study
Troy Day I don’t give opinions about that which I have little knowledge and experience. That’s why I defer your questions about money and taxes to the professional clergy and answer questions about that which I have constantly studied for almost 30 years and have far more experience than anyone else in America.
Adherence to these pronouncements is required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
for all entities, including the Catholic Church. (These pronouncements apply to lay employee plans
as well as diocesan clergy plans.) Accounting guidance is periodically revised; diocesan staff should
consult with professionals as changes are effective.
Philip Williams that’s a bit of an absurd remark. Jesus dealt with money more then he dealt with the subject of Heaven. I suppose you believe in Heaven? It’s all about stewardship.
David Woods yes, and almost everything he said about it when not used as a parable was a warning about its dangers.
David Woods here is an example:
““No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” Luke 16:13-15
Philip Williams true. The disciples were shocked at why it was so hard for a rich man to gain heaven. But with God all things are possible.
Money is simple a tool to use for God.
David Woods yes, with God’s help a rich man can sell all and follow Jesus.
David Woods it’s mostly a tool in the Devil’s hand.
Philip Williams so that was said to the disciples and the disciples wondered how they would ever enter into Heaven they were so rich.
David Woods they were middle class of the day, fishermen. Tradition tells us that the Apostle John was known by the high priest due to the fact that the high priest was a customer of the family’s fishing business.
Nonetheless, they left it all to follow Jesus. Then in the post resurrection appearance they again left the fishing business to which they had temporarily returned.
Jim Price did you benefit from tax cuts during your tenure
Yes I did, the congress years ago believed that the clergy rendered a valuable to the country and in general was not getting enough wages to live on. So there were tax breaks on housing and deductions for miles driven. We were also allowed to not pay into social security. That was a mistake, I opted out for a few years and then a CPA convinced me that I needed to start again. Social Security is the best investment that i have ever made.
Philip seems to disdain treasures on earth, I have known a few pastors along the way that took that view and have spent the last few years of their lives struggling to survive. Often having to rely on relatives etc. More recently I have been around pastors who are afraid to mention money from the pulpit. That’s a mistake too. If a ministry is worth doing it is also worth being supported.
Jim Price Are you familiar with Jesus’s remarks on this subject? (It’s in the red letter verses of the New Testament gospels.)
What is your view of his recommendations?
Philip Williams Very familiar!
Jim Price why do you recommend not following l?
Because it was written for a certain people at a special time;in other places He told his listeners to prepare for the future and if His life hadn’t been cut off after only 2 1/2 years He would have cleared up some of His early statements. Jesus said, ” To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given.” Mk. 4 : 27 Jesus also used a parable to say that every hair of our head shall be numbered and again, say unto yonder Mt. be thou removed and it shall be done. That was never to be taken literally. As He said in Mk.4 : 11 & 11 ” that seeing they may not perceive etc.
Jim Price so we don’t need to literally believe the words of our Creator and Savior but your spin and interpretation?
Jim Price so Jesus wasn’t telling us the truth when he said that he was telling us the truth?
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Matthew 24:35
Jesus words should be taken very seriously but they should also be divided rightly. I can see that you have much to learn about the New Testament. We must also remember that it was some 30 years before His words were written down and that was by non Jews. So we must factor in the human element.
Jim Price just where, in your view, do we find God’s infallible words? Do you have them?
Jim Price Do you believe these words of Jesus to his Apostles who gave us the New Testament?
““All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:25-26
Jim Price If Jesus commandments weren’t intended for us today, I suppose neither was his great commission. And why do you suppose that he spoke about being with them (and us) until the end of the Age?
‘Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Philip Williams I read this like you never committed fully to the ministry Just my take
Jim Price approach is everything to a great landing.
Philip Williams Yes the Holy Spirit has been teaching the believers ever since but of the 12 disciples only 4 are associated with the Gospels while Peter and James wrote down many years later how they thought Jesus teachings should be understood in their circumstances. Also writing, maybe 60 years later John said 21 : 25 I suppose that if all the things Jesus did were written down, the whole world ( an exaggeration ), could not contain the books. So we must apply the wisdom that Solomon talked about and cultivate the gifts of discernment and knowledge and always applying our understanding against the golden rule. In addition we should be mindful of the timetable. Remember that Jesus active ministry was only for 2 1/2 years. Ask any pastor; you can’t get much across in that short of a time. Those who have led our denominations have been filled with the spirit and in most cases have great wisdom and we should put a lot of stock in what they say. I talk often with one of our leaders and am amazed at how many windows of light he opens for me.
Jim Price Should I be amazed that you would compare your ministry favorably with God himself?
Such things haven’t gone unnoticed in Heaven. A reckoning is soon coming.
there there
Jim Price a layman like Philip Williams knows little about the struggle of a small church preacher. I was under the impression you pastored in CA and had a few questions Maybe you are just familiar with the culture
Troy Day never did exploit a small church for myself. Nor like the tent maker Paul, did I exploit a large church like Corinth.
Philip Williams seems like you know about church ministry as much as Moses knew about the ark