Your ministry’s payroll processor may be an employee, a volunteer, or a payroll subscription service. Do-it-yourself payroll can come with a number of risks. Just like your DIY home projects, knowing where common problems occur is the first step toward getting it right.
Incorrectly completing, or failing to complete, government forms can create headaches for church administrators. Incorrectly withholding payroll taxes can, too. A routine government audit or an issue reported by an employee can expose longstanding problems with payroll.
Mistakes commonly are made in the following areas:
Tip: It’s important to designate someone in your organization responsible for monitoring government payroll tax regulations, especially those rules that apply to 501(c)(3) organizations.
Payroll mistakes can trigger a chain reaction of consequences. Improper withholdings can put a minister’s housing allowance at risk and lead to thousands of dollars owed in back taxes. For support staff, basic elements of payroll, such as failing to track hours, can lead to misunderstandings, mistrust, and a sense of unfairness. A tainted reputation from legal issues or a disgruntled employee can have long-lasting repercussions.
Tip: Well-designed financial controls can help you avoid payroll issues. It’s wise to set up an annual meeting with a locally licensed attorney or tax accountant to ensure you’re using up-to-date and sound payroll practices.
Time—as well as peace of mind—can be a big factor for a payroll processor. The pressure to accurately complete payroll, in addition to other administrative tasks, can lead to simple payroll-calculation errors that have long-lasting effects.
Consider the cost of time with these aspects of in-house payroll:
Tip: Look for ways to reclaim staff time. A trusted partner can work with your staff to help ease the stressors and risks associated with payroll.
MinistryWorks® by Brotherhood Mutual® would be happy to help you with these challenges. We offer payroll services for churches and related ministries, including payroll processing, payroll tax filing and reporting, time and attendance features, and workers’ compensation audit assistance.
The information in this article is intended to be helpful, but it does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for the advice from a licensed attorney in your area. We strongly encourage you to regularly consult with a local attorney as part of your risk management program.
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