Before making any purchase, though, ask what system must be set up to make compliance accurate and easy. If the system is accurate, you'll meet tax-compliance tests. If the system is easy, you'll use it more consistently, and ongoing record-keeping will mean spending fewer hours preparing taxes and completing forms at the end of the year. Careful use of print and electronic resources can help eliminate extra steps and time-consuming repetitive tasks. The Right Software and Books Clergy will find especially helpful those products and services that are designed specifically for their particular tax situation.
Various forms guide the reader into the text, which explains how to fill out the forms.
Since a messy or unreadable tax return is a red flag to the IRS for a possible audit, a clean, printed copy is a definite priority. It shows how to develop a compensation package that avoids unnecessary tax exposure. It tells how to set reimbursement policies and offers guidelines on how to determine whether ministers are employees or independent contractors. The guide also offers sample forms and essential policies to protect the clergy taxpayer. Clergy TaxNet provides a wealth of resources to surfers and specialized help to members on tax-law changes, tax planning, and record keeping.