In this video David Middlebrook covers some of the tips to solving your ministry’s social media puzzle.

admin Church Security, Videos Social Media

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David Middlebrook speaks with Matt McKee from R04R about the growing use of smartphone apps for churches.

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On May 17, 2010, the IRS began revoking the tax-exempt statuses of nonprofits that failed to file three consecutive annual returns (Form 990-N, 990-EZ, or 990-PF).  As a result, as many as 300,000 nonprofits may lose their tax-exempt status, effectively shrinking the nonprofit sector by 25%.

On July 26, 2010, the IRS released a guidance on filing relief for Form 990-N and 990-EZ filers in danger of losing their tax exemptions.  However, this one-time relief is ONLY available to small organizations whose filing deadlines fall on or after May 17, 2010, and before October 15, 2010.  (All returns filed under this program are due no later than October 15, 2010.) 

These events beg the question:  Why is it important to preserve an organization’s tax-exempt status? 

A nonprofit organization has numerous benefits that will help it to survive economically.  There are also benefits to the contributors, which make a donation to the organization more attractive.  Some of the benefits of being a nonprofit organization include:

• Exemption from paying federal income tax.
• May receive tax-deductible gifts.
• May receive tax-deductible contributions.
• Eligibility to receive grants from foundations.
• Contributions to a nonprofit are tax deductible for donors to the organization.

Protecting the organization’s tax-exempt status is vitally important to a nonprofit organization.  But, what happens to a nonprofit that loses its exemption?  What happens if a donor gives to a charity that has lost its exemption?

Contact the Church Law Group at 972-444-8777 to find out the answers to these questions and more!

admin Tax-exemption Church Law Group, IRS, nonprofit, Tax-exemption

Are You Misusing Copyrighted Material in Your Ministry?

Are you…

Recording a church service and broadcasting it in its entirety?
Importing content to the church’s website?
Streaming music on the church’s website?
Showing a movie or television clip in a sermon without a license?

If so, then you could be committing copyright infringement.

admin Videos copyright law

How Does A Recent Supreme Court Ruling Affect Your Church?

admin Videos Gay Marriage, Governance, marriage, religious freedom