Legal Matters
Churches today exist in an increasingly litigious and regulated environment that makes an awareness of legal risks more important than ever before. The annual church litigation survey conducted by my Church Law & Tax Report newsletter shows an increase in church litigation over the past 7 years, even though litigation in general has leveled off… read more
Q: I heard a prominent financial advisor interviewed recently on a national radio broadcast. A caller asked if ministers should opt out of Social Security. The advisor responded, “Absolutely! Anyone who can get out of Social Security should do so.” Do you agree? A: The financial advisor’s response was irresponsible and uninformed because it is… read more
Q: Should our church ask each employee to fill out a new Form W-4 each year? If so, why? A: The W-4 form is used by employees to report withholding allowances. This information will determine how much income tax the church withholds from the wages of a nonminister employee. The important point is this—W-4 forms… read more