Can a donor give specifically for a pastors medical bills?

by ChurchBookkeeper
(Texas)

Lets say your pastor has medical expenses of 5300.00 and someone from the congregation wants to pay those. Can the church accept a check for the 5300.00 designated Pastor Medical Bills and can the church then send the donor a contribution receipt and pay the medical bills? If so does the 5300.00 have to be reported as income?

Comments for Can a donor give specifically for a pastors medical bills?

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Pastor designated funds to medical
by: Anonymous

No, if the money is designated for an individual it is not a qualified tax deduction for the person giving, and it is best not to accept the "gift". The person giving could pay the bills direct if they wish. When going through the church the church must make sure it is following the IRS requirements. This is time consuming and easy to make mistakes on... you can always give the check back to the person who gave it, If you have a policy in place regarding benevolence funds follow the policy, you should also state in the policy that funds given are under the full control of the church and will be used in the best interest of the church mission and will revert back to the general fund if no the designated fund account is closed.

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