After recently resigning his position with the Crystal Cathedral, Rev. Robert Schuller has released a video discussing the church, bankruptcy, and intellectual property.  Although Rev. Schuller wrote many books and other works through the years, he reveals in the video that he did not receive any royalties from the revenue that his creative works brought [...]

Some City and County governments are taking an odd approach to “taxing” all churches and schools by doubling their water bill.  How is this happening?  City ordinances, like the one in Canyonville, Oregon, provide that “churches, schools, and nonprofits” will be charged double for the normal water rates.  Through this ordinance and other similar ordinances, [...]

In response to Senate Finance Committee member Charles Grassley’s investigation into the finances of large churches across the country, the Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations has been formed.  The Commission is to address the issues below that effect nonprofits and, specifically, religious organizations.  The issues the Commission are considering include: Should the [...]

Worker misclassification is still a hot issue, not only with the IRS, but with other governmental agencies as well.  The recently proposed budget for 2013 indicates that worker misclassification of employees as independent contractors remains a priority for the White House administration.  The budget allocates $14 million in 2013 to address this issue. Senator John [...]

SUCCESSION PLANNING is critical to your CHURCH’S long-term success. There are many ways to create a SUCCESSION PLAN. Watch David Middlebrook as he discusses these questions and helps address these sensitive topics.

QUESTION: One of our church member’s children reported incidents of physical abuse to our Youth Pastor. Is it mandatory that he report this to authorities, or can it be resolved within the church? ANSWER: The trend is that states are favoring mandatory reporting of child abuse without exceptions, and the public is adopting this expectation [...]

On March 2, 2012, the Fourth Circuit affirmed the Tax Court’s holding that a tax-exempt homeowners association was liable to pay tax on the unrelated business income the association received from operating a beach club and parking lots.  In Ocean Pines Association Inc. v. Commissioner, the association operated the beach club and parking lots during [...]

A new South Dakota law (HB 1223) exempts religious organizations from state sales tax on certain handling fees paid by religious organizations to approved relief agencies for the distribution of food.  Such distribution of food must be for the assistance or relief of the “poor, distressed, or underprivileged” through a food giveaway program.

Ray Charles gave the Albany State University a total of $3 million in 2001 for the construction of a performing arts center.  Albany State claims the gift was never restricted, however, the Foundation claims that Charles was “specific on how the money was to be spent.”  The building is expected to cost at least $23 [...]

On February 16, 2012 the New York Attorney General’s Committee for Nonprofit Revitalization released their proposed plan to “enhance governance and oversight [of nonprofits] while reducing burdens.”  Some of the proposed changes include establishing a “revolving loan fund to extend interest-free loans to nonprofits,”  making New York nonprofit laws more “nonprofit-friendly,” and mandating independent oversight of [...]