About The Church Finance & Minister Tax Podcast- Church finances, Minister Taxes, Minister payroll, IRS Compliance
** This podcast is currently on pause. Feel free to explore past episodes! **
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
Publisher
Michelle R Brown, EA, Christian Business Mentor, Enrolled Agent
Ep 96 ~ Navigating IRS Guidelines for Church Donations Over 250 Dollars
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Navigating Church Finances Podcast, host Michelle delves into the importance and proper handling of contribution statements for church donations. Using a personal experience as a backdrop, Michelle highlights the crucial elements that must be included in contribution statements according to IRS regulations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone handling church finances, ensuring donors receive the correct documentation needed for tax filing purposes.
Key Takeaways:
IRS Requirements for Contribution Statements:
Churches must provide written acknowledgment for single contributions of $250 or more.
Essential elements of a proper contribution statement:
Organization's name and possibly the EIN.
Donor's name.
Amounts of contributions – can be itemized or combined.
Description of any goods or services provided in exchange for the contribution.
A statement about whether any intangible religious benefits were provided.
Recommendations for Creating Contribution Statements:
Outline a sample format for a contribution statement.
Emphasize the importance of delivering these statements before donors file their tax returns or before the tax return due date.
Importance of Proper Documentation:
* Encourages transparency and trust between donors and churches. * Ensures donors can claim deductions where applicable.
Michelle
https://churchfinances.org/resources
4 Mar 2025
Ep 95 ~ 4 of the IRS's Dirty Dozen Tax Schemes
Key Highlights:
Introduction to IRS Dirty Dozen (00:00:21): Michelle introduces the IRS Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2025, which are prevalent threats that individuals need to be cautious about.
Email Phishing Scams (00:00:57): Learn about the constant issue of email phishing scams where scammers send fake IRS emails to trick individuals into clicking malicious links. Remember, the IRS never contacts taxpayers via email, phone, or text.
Smishing (00:01:40): Understand smishing, a scam where text messages use alarming language to trick recipients into clicking on a bogus link with false claims.
Bad Social Media Advice (00:03:26): Michelle discusses the danger of taking tax advice from social media, emphasizing the need to verify tax advice with authoritative sources.
Fake Charities (00:05:09): Be aware of bogus charities, especially in times of crisis or natural disasters. Michelle provides tips on how to verify the legitimacy of charitable organizations.
Ghost Tax Return Preparers (00:08:02): Discover the tactics of deceptive tax return preparers who offer poor service and charge based on refund size. Michelle stresses the importance of using trusted tax professionals and knowing the warning signs of fraudulent preparers.
Conclusion:
Michelle wraps up the episode emphasizing the importance of staying informed about these scams to avoid becoming a statistic. It's not just about avoiding scams but also about ensuring that your church community remains financially vigilant.
Resources:
For more trusted resources and guidance, visit Michelle’s website at churchfinances.org/resources.
Inspirational Closing:
"Let's all strive to make an impact and not just an income. And remember to always look your best, do your best and be your best."
Thank you for tuning in, and stay safe and informed. Until next time!
26 Feb 2025
Ep 94 ~ Beyond Savings: The True Value of Church Communities Supporting Local
In this episode of Navigating Church Finances Podcast, host Michelle Brown explores the value of supporting locally owned Christian businesses for churches. She unpacks why choosing to shop local can align more closely with biblical stewardship and ministry values. Michelle challenges listeners to consider the greater impact of their spending choices beyond just finding the best price online or at national chains.
Show Notes:
Introduction to the Topic (00:00:00):Michelle begins the episode by posing thought-provoking questions about the benefits of shopping locally for churches and their communities. She sets the stage for the discussion on the importance of supporting locally owned businesses over online retailers or national chains.
Biblical Stewardship Defined (00:01:30):Michelle explains the concept of biblical stewardship, highlighting how it involves responsibly managing God's resources to achieve His goals for the church. She stresses that the hunt for the cheapest option isn't always the wisest decision.
Key Benefits of Shopping Local (00:03:32):
Kingdom-Minded Stewardship: Supporting local Christian businesses helps ensure the church's financial resources support entrepreneurs who share biblical values, operate with integrity, and engage in ethical business practices. It fosters a cycle of financial responsibility through tithes.
Strengthening the Local Christian Community (00:04:48): Local investments foster economic growth within the faith community and create positive, God-centered work environments. Michelle shares her personal experiences to illustrate the difference in work atmospheres.
Aligning with Ministry Values (00:08:40): Many Christian-owned businesses offer products, services, and partnerships that align with church missions. Michelle shares excitement about partnering with local businesses that incorporate faith into their environment and operations.
Considerations for Churches (00:10:01):Michelle advises churches to weigh their purchasing decisions with community support in mind and to understand the challenges small business owners face, such as overhead and expenses, when asking for discounts.
Quote to Remember:"Supporting local businesses, especially locally Christian-owned businesses, may be the wiser decision."
Call to Action:Consider where your church spends its money and the broader impact those spending choices have within your community.
Contact Information:For more insights and conversation on navigating church finances, subscribe to the podcast and connect with Michelle Brown. Your financial stewardship can make a difference in your church and community.
Contact:
michelle@churchfinance.org
https://churchfinances.org
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
64 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
46
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
82
Host of The Church Finance & Minister Tax Podcast- Church finances, Minister Taxes, Minister payroll, IRS Compliance?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
