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:

    1. • 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.

    2. 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.

    3. Importance of Proper Documentation:

       * Encourages transparency and trust between donors and churches. * Ensures donors can claim deductions where applicable.

Michelle

https://churchfinances.org/resources

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!

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