by Butch
(Tombsone, AZ. )
As pastor, I have just become aware that we are paying our church organist by sending her pay to her landlord for a partial on her rent.
A lawyer that goes to our church said this was ok to pay her in the described manner. He called it benevolent payment or compassionate compensation.
I have searched through your website and can find nothing for paying her in this manner. She qualifies as a church employee and when we find out whether or not this payment method is not correct or illegal, we intend to pay her as a w-2 employee. She is 85 and lives from funds established by a trust fund.
Please advise as to what is proper in her compensation (pay).
Thank you
1Comments
Organists are Usually Considered Employees of the Church
VVickey
I respectfully disagree with your lawyer.
Benevolence is not to be used in exchange for a service. There are some strict guidelines on what the IRS considers nontaxable benevolence. See more on those guidelines:
https://www.freechurchaccounting.com/benevolence-fund.html
Usually the church's organist is considered an employee of the church as the church provides the "equipment" and sets the hours =)
So paying her as a W-2 employee is probably a good idea.
Benevolence is not to be used in exchange for a service. There are some strict guidelines on what the IRS considers nontaxable benevolence. See more on those guidelines:
https://www.freechurchaccounting.com/benevolence-fund.html
Usually the church's organist is considered an employee of the church as the church provides the "equipment" and sets the hours =)
So paying her as a W-2 employee is probably a good idea.