Understanding Fringe Benefits
As ministries search for ways to enhance employee compensation packages, ministry leaders and employees should understand the tax repercussions of fringe benefits.
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Administration, Staff, and Finance
Finances
It doesn’t take a hardened criminal to steal money from a church. In fact, those who embezzle are often well-known, well-liked, and completely trusted by fellow church members. They don’t set out to steal hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. But ample opportunity and a lack of financial controls enable them to do just that.
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FLSA Risk Assessment Chart
Use the FLSA Risk Assessment Chart to help manage the risk of wrongly classifying employees within your ministry.
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Q: Are Board Members Personally Liable for Board Decisions?
If board members use their position in the ministry for personal gain, they can be sued as individuals, thereby placing their home and personal assets at risk.
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Evaluating Your Next Vendor
It's important to take the time to do research and check references before entering a vendor relationship, especially a long-term one.
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Online Tithing: Balancing Convenience with Security
Learn how to balance the convenience of electronic donations with the importance of data security.
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Five Tips for Wiring Funds to Non-US Banks
Sending funds internationally can be complicated, so it is good to understand the process. Here are some suggestions that can help you avoid delays in getting money to people around the world who need it.
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Protect Your Finances with Internal Cash Controls
Strengthen control of your church's cash receipts and disbursements to protect your finances.
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Watch for Financial Irregularities
Learn how to spot the financial irregularities that may show that your ministry's money is being stolen.
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Outdated Credit Card Readers Could Increase Ministry Risk
Using chip cards and chip-enabled credit card terminals can help ministries avoid unnecessary liability.
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Stop the Thief in Your Inbox
Phishing schemes and data breaches can have serious consequences. A breach could result in identity theft, legal issues, and a tarnished reputation.
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Financial Fraud Prevention Quiz
Test your financial know-how against our real-world scenarios.
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Overtime: Does Your Ministry Comply?
Some ministries miscalculate overtime wages, misclassify employees, or fail to pay overtime at all. It can happen to the most careful of administrators. So, what wage and overtime rules apply to ministries?
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Church Fraud Exceeds What Churches Give to Missions
It's important for churches to have strong financial controls, so trusted people in the church aren't tempted to pilfer from the plate or divert funds from the budget.
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Protect Your Ministry's Plastic
Some business debit cards feature Zero Liability protection against unauthorized purchases, but not all do. Does yours?
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Donor Directed Dollars for Missions Work
While it’s common practice in missions to raise support for individual travelers, it’s important to ensure that ministries are receiving and controlling donations to maintain the tax benefit for donors.
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Gift Acceptance Policy for Ministries - Sample Wording
A gift acceptance policy helps your church navigate complex and sometimes risky donor gifts. It can help you avoid potential public relations issues, and it helps staff understand how to graciously turn down offers that could carry an unacceptable amount of risk.
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How Helpful Are Charitable Immunity Laws?
Charitable immunity laws are typically intended to protect only volunteer workers from lawsuits.
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Can a Ministry or Charity Lose its Tax-Exempt Status?
In order to maintain their tax-exempt status, the IRS requires churches and other religious organizations to comply with certain ongoing rules.
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How to Buy Church Insurance
Keeping your church safe involves making educated insurance decisions not only about unique coverages that fit your ministry, but about the right agent and carrier for your needs.
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Distinguishing Employees from Volunteers
As an employer, ministries are required to properly pay employees for all time spent performing their job functions, so distinguishing between volunteer hours and employee hours is important.
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What Pay Records Should Ministries Keep?
Most ministries employ at least one person whose hours and wages are regulated by federal law. This means there are some records you're required to keep for three years.
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Payroll Tax Checklist
If the Internal Revenue Service audits your church’s tax returns and finds issues, you could be required to pay back taxes with interest and possible penalties. Complete this checklist to determine how well you’re avoiding common payroll tax pitfalls.
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Cybersecurity: Available Resources
No ministry is immune from cyber theft. Browse our free cyber safety library and find resources to help you protect your valuable digital data.
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Church Fraud: Keeping Thieves and Embezzlers Out of Church Finances
Whether overseeing credit card transactions or safeguarding the offering from fraud, stay on top of theft issues with help from this free webinar.
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9 Key Risk Areas Churches Face
When developing a risk management plan, these nine areas should lead your to-do list.
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Gift Acceptance Policy for Schools and Colleges - Sample Wording
A gift acceptance policy helps schools and colleges navigate complex and sometimes risky donor gifts. It can help you avoid potential public relations issues, and it helps staff understand how to graciously turn down offers that could carry an unacceptable amount of risk.
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Why Create a Gift Acceptance Policy - Schools and Colleges
A robust gift acceptance policy addresses many areas of risk that could lead to unintended consequences for donors as well as your school or college.
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OFAC Regulations
When sending funds internationally, protect your ministry by complying with OFAC regulations. Here are some helpful tips to make sure you can legally transfer the funds.
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A donor asked for a refund. Now what?
What would your development staff do if a donor requested his or her donation be refunded? Having a written plan in place puts your ministry, school, or college in a better position to respond appropriately.
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Fundraising Regulations: An Overview
Soliciting donations—or even just accepting donations—can be considered regulated activity. Your Christian nonprofit may be required to register with government entities before fundraising in certain states.
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Income Share Agreements Offer an Alternative to Student Loans for Higher Education
Some Christian colleges and universities are exploring Income Share Agreements, a way for students to afford college without student loans. Learn the benefits and risks.
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Disaster-Proof Your Finances
Learn how specialized insurance coverages can protect your finances from taking an unexpected hit.
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Payroll Checklist
Payroll can be problematic for churches. Use this checklist to make sure your church or ministry stays compliant.
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Creative Income Sources: Don't Lose Your Tax-Exempt Status
Ministries moving in to the creative fundraising space should be aware of the do’s and don’ts of generating income outside of their religious purpose. Knowing and following the rules provides financial transparency and protects your tax-exempt status.
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Secure Your Ministry Against Mail Theft
Does your church, school, or ministry still use a traditional U.S. mailbox? Look into the benefits of switching to a secure mailbox or a post office box to prevent postal theft.
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State Property Tax Exemption: Know Your State's Laws
Make sure your ministry is following the law when benefitting from property tax exemptions.
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Q. Are gifts to ministry workers taxed?
Depending on the collection and distribution process, the cash, gift cards, or presents may need to be reported to the IRS as taxable income.
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The Risk of Leadership: 5 Problem Areas That Expose Personal Assets
Sometimes board members and other ministry leaders ask the question - “Can I be held personally responsible for liabilities of the ministry?” The short answer is yes.
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General Controls and Data Security Checklist
This checklist can help you strengthen financial accountability within your ministry. Consider using this checklist once a year to determine whether your practices need further revision.
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Protect Ministry Finances from Embezzlement
Embezzlement affects all ministries, regardless of their size, denomination, or location. Learn to establish controls without hurting the feelings of long-time workers.
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Ministry Finances Checklist
Sadly, financial crimes against ministries are common. Strengthen accountability within your ministry with an annual review.
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Offerings and Disbursements Checklist
Insisting on safety controls for your offering plate is critical to maintaining the trust and confidence of your membership.
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Thank you for your interest in Brotherhood Mutual. We appreciate the opportunity to provide your church or other ministry with an insurance quote and will reply to your request as soon as possible.
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