April 6, 2016
For many ministries and their employees, April is a triple tax-deadline month. Does your ministry have the following dates circled on its calendar?
Form 1040-ES: Estimated Tax for Individuals. If your pastor makes quarterly estimated tax payments instead of voluntary withholding, the first filing and payment is due by April 18, 2016, using Form 1040-ES. It’s important to note that the church does not make these payments for the pastor. The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is the easiest way to pay federal taxes for individuals, and includes options for federal tax deposits, installment agreements, and estimated tax payments. Pastors can also access payment history using EFTPS.
The remaining individual quarterly tax payments are due June 15, September 15, and January 17, 2017.
Form 1040: Individual Income Tax Return. For most pastors and ministry staff, April 18, 2016, is tax day. Whether your pastor reports income taxes as an employee or self-employed, filing a Form 1040 is required. Pastors who have requested, and have received, an exemption from Social Security are not exempt from paying federal income taxes.
Form 941: Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return. Ministries that withhold income taxes, Social Security or Medicare tax from employee’s paychecks, or must pay the employer’s portion, will file Form 941 by this date. A separate Form 941 is required at the end of each quarter: July 31 and October 31, 2016, and January 31, 2017.
Form 941 does not apply to all. Some ministries may have received IRS permission to file annually by using Form 944. This form reduces the burden on small employers by allowing them to file one return per year. To see if your ministry qualifies, click here.
Water and the damage it brings can be one of the most devastating property claims a ministry or organization can experience. Fortunately, there's a solution that identifies leaks when they start, as small as 1/2-ounce-per-minute. It's called FloLogic.
The ability to inspire others to give is a blessing. Because fundraising can be both exciting and challenging, there are some important details to consider that can help your donors, and organization, have a smooth and successful experience.
Has your church or school ever been asked to loan or rent one of your vans or buses to another ministry? Rather than running the risk of loaning or renting your own vehicle, you could consider aiding them financially in renting or chartering a vehicle from a rental agency.
Having insurance coverage specifically designed for long-term international missions helps protect your people and organization from the financial impact caused by injuries, lawsuits, property damage, and more.
For the second year, the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation is offering the Kingdom Advancing Grant to innovative Christian church programs that are transforming local communities through ministry.
With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s wise for ministries to evaluate their fire safety plan. Whether your ministry is hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for charity, or running a community kitchen, make sure you’re well-prepared with these tips.
As school is back in session, it’s important to make sure your school is equipped with the correct safety procedures. Thinking about your school’s physical security as a series of layers can help you find gaps in your plan. Transportation and volunteers are just two important aspects of your school safety plan to think about.
Anyone who turns on the news, flips through a magazine, or browses the web can see that American society and culture are experiencing rapid transitions. Some ministries have valid concerns that issues surrounding societal shifts may expose them to negative publicity, governmental scrutiny, or litigation.
Cyber security is increasingly crucial in our technologically advanced world. Scammers use many schemes when attempting to steal your data, but you can outsmart them by understanding their methods.
When conflict occurs in the church, it can threaten the unity of a congregation. Experts say the only way to heal conflict is to acknowledge and address it. But how?
Theft isn’t just an issue for banks and large companies. Sometimes the kind and caring nature of your ministry is exactly what makes you a target. Organizational Optional Theft Coverage helps to assure that, if a thief takes advantage of your institution, what’s lost can be restored.
Most ministry leaders don’t realize there is funding available to non-profit employers including churches, schools, colleges, and camps. This post includes some highlights about the credit and guidance on where to start to see if your ministry is eligible.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially started June 1, and weather experts say this season is likely to produce above-normal activity. Take action to prepare your ministry to withstand a hurricane now, so you’re not scrambling when a watch or warning is posted.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Though child abuse may not be something you could ever imagine happening within your ministry, sexual abuse of a minor is one of the top five reasons churches end up in court, according to Church Law & Tax. Studies also show that a child is much more likely to be sexually abused by a trusted adult than a stranger.
When severe storms strike, they can produce high winds and tornadoes. Damaging winds can wreak havoc on your ministry’s property and to buildings. A high wind event can crash debris through your windows, strip your siding, down trees on your parking lot, peel shingles off your roof, and fling back the flashing.
As temperatures plummet, the risk of freezing pipes soars. Frozen pipes can cause costly messes that could also put your ministry on hold while you clean up.
Thieves are taking advantage of soaring precious metal prices. Take steps to protect your ministry’s vehicles and property.
Preparing for this Christmas season may require additional creativity, due to the uncertainty of what COVID-19 may bring in our local community.
A mid-November deadline in the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) bankruptcy proceedings may have you wondering what the organization’s bankruptcy filing means for your ministry if you ever hosted or chartered Boy Scout Troops.