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Video: Seven Common Tax Errors

In this exclusive video, Matt Branaugh and Rich Hammar discuss the seven common tax errors many churches and pastors make.

Attorneys Matt Branaugh and Rich Hammar hopped on camera to tackle seven common tax errors churches and church leaders make.

In this 20-minute companion to “Top 10 Tax Developments for Churches and Clergy in 2024,” Branaugh and Hammar call on case law, IRS guidance, and practical experience as they discuss why these errors are so common. They also touch on why they carry such large implications for church boards, pastors, and lay leaders. And they share a few helpful hints on correcting, if not avoiding, these errors in the future.


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By the way, the seven common tax errors are:

  • Failing to Set a Housing Allowance
  • Not Having an Accountable Reimbursement Plan
  • Not Treating Clergy as “Self-Employed” for Social Security
  • Trying to Avoid Paying FICA
  • Treating Non-Ministers as Ministers for Tax Purposes
  • Ignoring the Tax Implications of “Love Gifts”
  • Ignoring the Tax Implications of “Loans”
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And if you’re wondering about how costly tax errors can truly be, review this 2023 legal development from Rich Hammar. It details the case of how a clerical error cost an Oregon church its tax exemption.

This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.

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