67 episodes
The Church Finance & Minister Tax Podcast- Church finances, Minister Taxes, Minister payroll, IRS Compliance Michelle R Brown, EA, Christian Business Mentor, Enrolled Agent
-
- Business
-
-
4.9 • 52 Ratings
-
Are you tired of searching the endless pages of Google for 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.
We will also lean into mindset training to help you think like the business professional God created you to be and renewing your mind through the application of truths from the Word of God that will encourage and free you to do business God’s way while learning what you didn’t even know you needed to know!
My mission is twofold:
#1 to help church bookkeepers/treasurers/finance individuals become more confident in their role and increase their expertise in church finances.
#2 to help business owners unapologetically do business God’s way and grow a successful bookkeeping business they feel good about and that helps make the world a better place.
If you are ready to walk out the calling the Lord has on your life and your business while serving Him with excellence - then you are definitely in the right place!
Hey there, I’m Michelle and I love all things Jesus, business and church finances! I am an entrepreneur, Enrolled Agent (which means I help people with tax problems), wife, mother and grateful believer in Jesus Christ. I tried to achieve success in the secular world but felt unfulfilled and like an outsider because of my beliefs. I finally realized that taking the risk to create a business (or businesses in my case), where I could openly express my faith and beliefs and to put God at the center of everything I did, was more exciting to me than the fear of the ”what if’s”. So, I did it! Not once, but twice! I want to share with you what I’ve learned through my 20 years of business experience in both Christian retail and my bookkeeping business to help you take that step of faith and walk in courageous obedience to God.
If you are ready to serve your church with confidence and/or create a business that keeps God at the center of everything you do WHILE helping to make the world a better place all at the same time - this podcast is for you!
So grab your Bible, a notebook or laptop, and the dream God gave you girl, because we’re doing this. It’s time to serve Him with Excellence!
Learn: www.churchfinances.org
Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/churchbookkeepingandclergytax
-
Ep 65 ~ Navigating the IRS Maze: Avoiding Financial Pitfalls - Key Tips for Churches
Welcome to The Church Finance & Minister Tax Podcast! Are you ready to safeguard your church's financial health? Join us as we uncover common pitfalls and share tips for financial compliance. From avoiding the commingling of funds to reporting taxable income, get ready to empower your church with the knowledge it needs. Stay tuned for valuable insights coming up in our final part of the 3-part series on Navigating the IRS.
Episode Quote
"You are successful when you do what you need to do today."— Craig Groeschel, "Think Ahead"
Episode Highlights
Common Pitfalls in Church Financial Compliance
Commingling Personal and Church Finances
Issue: Using church funds for personal expenses and reimbursing later blurs financial lines.
Consequences: Lack of transparency, serious tax implications.
Solution: Maintain separate personal and church accounts, revoke credit card privileges if misused, and ensure expenses are properly handled and reported.
Failure to Report Taxable Income
Issue: Ministers failing to report housing allowances and other taxable income accurately.
Consequences: Penalties and legal repercussions from the IRS.
Solution: Understand housing allowances are subject to Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) taxes, and consider voluntary Federal withholding by the church to aid compliance.
Importance of Professional Guidance
Issue: Unique complexities in church finances require specialized knowledge.
Solution: Seek professionals with expertise in nonprofit and church finances. Research and choose the right financial advisor, attend relevant training, and continuously educate church leaders on financial laws and best practices.
Special Announcement
New Course: Intro to Church Finances
Details: A comprehensive beginners course to help church leaders understand financial management and compliance.
Join the Waitlist: Be the first to know when it launches by signing up at www.introtochurchfinances.com.
Summary
Maintaining financial compliance in church operations requires consistency, transparency, and a commitment to understanding and fulfilling the legal and tax obligations for the church. By avoiding common pitfalls such as commingling funds and failing to report taxable income, and seeking professional guidance, church leaders can safeguard their organization's financial integrity, allowing staff to focus on their spiritual missions without the stress of financial mismanagement.
Thank you for joining us for the final episode of our Navigating the IRS series. Stay tuned for more episodes on how to empower your church with sound financial practices.
This podcast is brought to you by Hallmark Tax Solutions, LLC, specializing in church financial compliance and minister tax services. Learn more at Hallmark Tax Solutions, LLC.
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps:
Grab Your Freebies:
Six Steps to Doing Business God's Way biz owners
A QuickStart Guide to Church Finances everybody
Looking for a group of like-minded people that want to keep Jesus at the center of everything they do?
Join the BEST Facebook group for church finances at Church Bookkeeping and Clergy Tax Facebook Group
Need an extra hand with an immediate situation? Schedule a Consultation:
Schedule Consultation -
Ep 64 ~ Know your value
In today's episode I share about a recent consultation session I had and what I shared about not allowing others to walk over you even when you work at a church!
Listen in and hear the passion :-)
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps:
Grab Your Freebies:
Six Steps to Doing Business God's Way biz owners
A QuickStart Guide to Church Finances everybody
Looking for a group of like-minded people that want to keep Jesus at the center of everything they do?
Join the BEST FaceBook group for church finances at Church Bookkeeping and Clergy Tax Facebook Group
Need an extra hand with an immediate situation? Schedule a Consultation:
Schedule Consultation -
Ep 63~ Building Strong Financial Foundations for your Church
Are you a church leader feeling overwhelmed by financial compliance? Stay tuned for part 2 of our series on Navigating the IRS maze: Tips for Church Financial Compliance. From maintaining accurate records to staying up-to-date with IRS filings, we've got you covered. Get ready to streamline your financial processes and gain peace of mind. I’m so happy to have you join me today!
As promised.... here is the IRS blurb you need to include in your contribution statements (or something similar)
Statement that goods or services, if any, that the organization provided in return for the contribution consisted entirely of intangible religious benefits, if that was the case.
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps:
Grab Your Freebies:
Six Steps to Doing Business God's Way biz owners
A QuickStart Guide to Church Finances everybody
Looking for a group of like-minded people that want to keep Jesus at the center of everything they do?
Join the BEST FaceBook group for church finances at Church Bookkeeping and Clergy Tax Facebook Group
Need an extra hand with an immediate situation? Schedule a Consultation:
Schedule Consultation -
Ep 62 ~ Navigating IRS Regulations: Tips for Church Financial Compliance
Feeling lost in a maze of IRS regulations? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many church leaders and finance managers find themselves overwhelmed by the intricate web of rules and requirements. But fear not, because today, we're here to shed some light on the path to financial compliance. Today’s episode will kick off our 3 part series on Navigating the IRS Maze: Tips for Church Financial Compliance. I’m so happy to have you join me today!
xo
Michelle
Next Steps:
Grab Your Freebies:
Six Steps to Doing Business God's Way biz owners
A QuickStart Guide to Church Finances everybody
Looking for a group of like-minded people that want to keep Jesus at the center of everything they do?
Join the BEST FaceBook group for church finances at Church Bookkeeping and Clergy Tax Facebook Group
Need an extra hand with an immediate situation? Schedule a Consultation:
Schedule Consultation -
Ep 61 ~ Podcast Rebranding: What you can expect
I'm thrilled to share that the Bookkeeping with a Purpose podcast is evolving to better support our church office crew and is rebranding to a new name “The Church & Minister Tax Podcast”. Same location, all the back episodes, just a new name and expanded focus. Alongside finance and tax tips, we're diving into admin tricks and organization hacks to make your life easier. With over three decades of office experience under my belt, I'm here to offer the best advice on running your office smoothly and ethically.
xo
Michelle R Brown, EA
Join our FREE FaceBook Community
Intro To Church Finances course waitlist
-
Ep 60 ~ Decoding the DOL’s New Independent Contractor Rule
NOTE: The Department of Labor (DOL) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) use different criteria for determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor, and the criteria serve different purposes.
The DOLs criteria are primarily used for determining eligibility for wage and hourly protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), ( which we covered in Ep 57) while the IRS’s 20-factor control test is used for tax purposes.
On January 9th, 2024, the DOL unveiled its final rule, which fundamentally alters how businesses/organizations (incl. churches) determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Effective March 11th, 2024, this rule replaces the 2021 independent contractor rule issued under former President Donald Trump, introducing a six-factor test to evaluate worker classification.
But what exactly are these six factors, and how do they impact churches and workers alike? We break it down in this episode.
xo,
Michelle
Next Steps:
Grab Your Freebies:
Six Steps to Doing Business God's Way biz owners
A QuickStart Guide to Church Finances everybody
Looking for a group of like-minded people that want to keep Jesus at the center of everything they do?
Join the BEST FaceBook group for church finances at Church Bookkeeping and Clergy Tax Facebook Group
If you’re a church staff member or volunteer looking to serve your local church with excellence, check out my membership group The Bookkeepers Inner Circle @ www.bookkeepersInnerCircle.com
Need an extra hand with an immediate situation? Schedule a Consultation:
Schedule Consultation
Customer Reviews
Fantastic & Encouraging
I stumbled across this when searching “bookkeeping” and have pretty much binged on it for 3 weeks straight. I’ve been (prayerfully) considering & researching hanging out my shingle as a bookkeeper and specializing specifically in small Christian ministries. As a Church financial Secretary already, much of this is fantastic review for what I should be doing and tweaks I’d like to make in the coming year. Def feeling God pushing…now to put together a plan…
Top Notch
Thank you Michelle for helping me in my fledgling bookkeeping biz. As a former volunteer bookkeeper for my church’s thrift store, your podcasts are super informative. You’re a tremendous blessing and I’m so glad I found your awesome short and sweet podcasts. Blessings!
New treasurer in need of your expertise
Michelle, thank you for your episodes! I am a new church treasurer but I was a Christian elementary school teacher with no background in accounting, bookkeeping, or taxes. You are helping me a lot on my journey. I am two months in now and its really hard for me. But like you said, I am educating, educating, educating myself. Thanks for helping people like me. God bless and Merry Christmas! Christ is born!