With the Department of Labor's upcoming rule changes, church employers must prepare for the new salary threshold for exempt employees, rising to $58,656 on January 1, 2025. However, clergy staff—those considered ministers for tax purposes—are exempt from overtime requirements, regardless of how much or...
All meal expenses for church pastors and staff should not automatically be reimbursed. The reimbursement of meal expenses must comply with specific IRS guidelines to ensure they are deductible and not considered taxable income. Here are the key considerations: Business Connection: The meal expenses must...
Question: Can all church employees qualify for housing allowance? Answer: No. Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code allows only a “minister of the gospel” to have a housing allowance. Thus, only taxpayers who are serving as clergy under IRS rules for tax purposes are eligible for...
Church salary increases are not keeping up with the rate of inflation. For ministry employees, this means the money they are bringing home, even if it is more than it was last year, isn’t going as far as it used to. As costs of housing, groceries,...
Seventy-five percent of employees have witnessed harassment in the workplace. That’s not a small number. While many ministries think that they are immune to that kind of unsavory behavior, the unfortunate reality is that people are still people who make mistakes whether or not they...
Sarah Secretary starts her new job with high hopes. At the end of week one, she doesn’t have login information for her project management software, is still not quite sure what her health plan covers and isn’t even aware of her option for a retirement...
As Church administrators begin the meticulous process of budget planning, the task of managing payroll, human capital, and timekeeping can seem overwhelming. At Payroll Partners, we understand the unique challenges faced by Church administrators and are dedicated to providing solutions that allow you to focus...
If I am a minister/clergy, do I have to pay self-employment taxes? This is a very important question, and perhaps a question you have asked yourself. Whether you are a seasoned minister, or just beginning, understanding self-employment taxes is vital to your tax planning and...
In a grant landscape that can be challenging for faith-based organizations, Lilly Endowment stands out as a funder that provides some opportunities specifically for churches. One such grant is The Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program at Christian Theological Seminary, designed to strengthen congregations by providing a...
As we tie a bow on Q2 and many organizations move into a new fiscal year, it’s likely about time for you to review your Staff Handbook again. Looking over all the policies in your handbook, evaluate not only if they are compliant but if...