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May unrecognized church accept donations?

Your Legal Questions Answered

May unrecognized church accept donations?

May an incorporated church, which does not have 501(c)(3) status, receive tithes and offerings from its members?

A bona fide church is classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity whether or not it has received specific recognition of exemption from the IRS.  (See Ready Reference Page: “What Constitutes ‘Church’ Eligible for Exemption”) The Tax Code specifically exempts churches from the general requirement to file for recognition of charitable exemption.

If it is a bona fide church, then tithes and offerings are both permitted and deductible as charitable contributions.  Even if the organization is not classified as a church, however, members may give tithes and other offerings.  They just won’t be deductible.  It is usually a good idea to obtain a specific recognition letter to avoid issues such as these.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Comments

Here in TN. the irs told me I had to send then a copy of my weekly services, like Sunday morning service agenda, as the order of what or how we operate that day in church, in order to get recognized as a 501c3 nonprofit church. Is this true, I always thought a church was automatically exempt status if it was small and the annual budget under $10,000.00?

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