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The StartCHURCH Blog

Ever since Raul and his wife set out to start a new church, it has been their passion to share the difficult task of church management with ministers and ministry leaders. Taking courses at Bible college and attending church planting conferences are good, but optional, ideas. However, knowing and understanding the legal, business, and tax aspects of church and ministry is not optional, and getting it right is a requirement!

It is the founder's desire that every StartCHURCH blog function as a tool to help you grow strong in these areas. In each blog, you will find a wealth of information that will not only benefit your ministry, but might also help to keep you out of IRS trouble. The authors take time to research and write about the latest legal and tax changes happening in the world of ministry. They also address issues that affect pastors, leaders, and board members personally. Overall, the bottom line commitment is to empower you with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions.

Please take some time to browse the postings. With the collective knowledge and experience that StartCHURCH brings, coupled with applicable and encouraging feedback posted by the readers, you may find these blogs are more helpful than you can imagine!

Viewing blogs by tag: IRS

22 Oct 2017

After Disaster 2: Preparing to be Benevolent

Raul Rivera

As the Body of Christ, we are called to meet the needs of those not only in our churches, but also those within our communities. When a natural disaster occurs, we feel the calling even more so to help those who have been affected. When a church helps to meet the needs of an individual, it is commonly referred to as benevolence.  While generosity…

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19 Oct 2017

Revoked for One Missed Form

Raul Rivera

Pastor Howell’s administrative staff was in a frenzy. His church had created a nonprofit daycare in 2014. The daycare was serving 30 children; it was flourishing and made $170,000 in income that year. The income was enough to provide a few raises and to upgrade the educational materials. Though the daycare was prospering, the staff was somber…

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15 Oct 2017

After Disaster: Understanding Designated Funds

Raul Rivera

In the wake of the recent natural disasters to hit the United States, many are wondering what to do and how they can help. When we witness our neighbors and fellow citizens experience something so devastating, our hearts go out to them and we long to help. With the wildfires out West and in Montana, and the numerous hurricanes that have hit various…

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12 Oct 2017

Can the IRS Tax Pastor Appreciation Gifts?

Raul Rivera

“Well done pastor!” The driving force behind what pastors and ministry leaders do is a higher calling from the Lord to help those who are hurting and in need of hearing the good news of the gospel. One of the most beautiful things in the month of October is how churches and ministries take time to celebrate pastor appreciation.  Many…

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05 Oct 2017

IRS Taxes Pastor for Salary He Never Received

Raul Rivera

This time of year we get an abundance of phone calls from pastors who have still not filed taxes or from those who feel they have prepared them incorrectly. Although ministry often requires pastors to “bring things to light,” I am amazed at how many pastors each year leave their taxes and tax-related issues in the dark. Many pastors simply…

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03 Oct 2017

Are There Any Benefits of 501(c)(3) for Churches?

Raul Rivera

There is a lot of information on the Internet about whether or not churches should apply for and obtain 501(c)(3) approval. There are those who say churches should not apply for 501(c)(3) approval and there are those who say churches should apply for it.  I have addressed the question of whether a church needs to be 501(c)(3) approved and provided…

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28 Sep 2017

Avoiding Illegal Use of the Church Credit Card

Raul Rivera

There is some debate as to whether or not pastors should have a discretionary fund. The problem with this particular debate is not the topic itself, but rather, the problem is that most church leaders involved in the debate are basing their opinions on misinformation. But what if I told you the proper implementation of a pastoral discretionary fund…

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26 Sep 2017

Should Ministers Opt Out of Social Security?

Raul Rivera

There is a difference between being a know-it-all and being someone who is well informed.  The former is a person who behaves as if he/she knows everything, when in reality he/she does not. The latter is a person who not only has a lot of knowledge about a wide range of subjects, but he/she also possesses the capability of asking smart questions…

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