MAINTAINING THE CHURCH NON-FOR-PROFIT STATUS

FM Guidelines FOR Starting & Maintaining a New Church IN INDIANA OR ILLINOIS

TREASURER RESPONSIBILITIES

Year-end Deadlines & Information

Guidelines for preparing Required Contribution Statements, 1099-MISC, and W-2s, 

Preparing Pastor's W-2

PASTORS VS EMPLOYEE VS SUBCONTRACTOR

The IRS mileage rate for business use has been lowered to 56 cents for 2021.  The church BOA may elect any amount up to the IRS rate.  Anything over the IRS rate would be taxable to the receipient. For additional information, click here: IRS Mileage

POLICY FOR COUNTING CHURCH FUNDS

There must be documentation by the counters of funds for the church treasurer!  There should be at least 2 counters at all times.   If the church doesn't already have 2 counters in place AND a form to document the receipt of funds, this will help you.  This

practice protects the church and everyone involved.

Below are samples reports for counters to use each week (an Excel version and a pdf format).  If you don't already have a system in place and a form to use, feel free to use whichever format works best for you and customize it for your church's needs.  In interest of time for the counters, the treasurer may wish to list names of regular givers on a "master" page and save it on a computer.  You may wish to create more than one page if necessary.    Sample Log Sheets for Church Counters (Excel version)

Sample Log Sheets for Church Counters (pdf version)

**********

FMCUSA Annual Report

Due annually in January of each year; complete your report here: http://fmcusa.org/login 

**********

Wabash Conference and FMCUSA Obligations and Forms
Church obligations (Wabash budget share, fmcusa e.p.p., and life, ltd and ad&d insurance) are due MONTHLY to the conference office by the 10th of the month following the report. 

Wabash Ministries Budget Share - remains at  8% for 2021.

FMCUSA EQUAL PARTICIPATION PLAN (E.P.P.)

Equal Participate Plan (E.P.P.) helps pay for FM Communications, Board of Bishops, Administration and World Ministries Center operations, Ministerial Scholarships and Grants, Financial Services for the Home Ministries and World Missions, FM Networks, General Conference, Human Resources, Ministerial Credentialing Services, Marston Memorial Historical Center, Board of Administration & Chaplaincy (just to name a few).

E.P.P. is based on each local church's annual report (income less allowable deductions) and is passed on to each local church.  These dollars are paid to FMCUSA by Wabash and each church is to reimburse the Conference office (1/12 of the annual amount on the monthly remittance form.)  For more details, click here:  FMCUSA EPP HANDOUT   WABASH EPP church obligations are as follows:  2020 & 2021 EPP 

life, Long Term Disability and AD&D Insurance 

All Wabash full-time pastors are to participate in these benefits.  The current premium is $32 per month and is paid by the church to the Conference office on the Remittance form in ADVANCE of the coverage.

Please note: if funds are limited, partial payments are expected.  Remember that the Conference pays all church's E.P.P. obligations and Life Insurance premiums regardless if paid by the church.  The Remittance forms are due even if the church doesn't have funds to send.

2021 Wabash Remittance forms

Please begin using one of the following updated 2021 forms for the January report (due February 10, 2021).  Please note that there is a change in the form for the for 2021 only.

UPDATED 2021 Wabash Remittance Form - Excel version with Instructions

(Patience please, this is a large file)

                    OR

2021 Wabash Remittance Form - pdf for those without Excel & Remittance Instructions for pdf

**********

Free Methodist World Missions 

Local Church Commitments are to be entered for World Missions each year. Missionaries cannot go into the field until their missions goal is met, so please let the World Missions Department know what your church’s commitment for the year is. For the form Click here or go to http://fmcusa.org/fmmissions/partner-in-ministry-through-commitments/

World Missions funds are to be sent directly to Free Methodist World Missions. (This does NOT apply to FMCUSA Home Ministry Obligations/EPP that are to be sent to the Wabash Conference office.)  For additional information, click here:  Missions Connect

Pension 

Updated salary information is needed from each church anytime there is a change in pastor's salary.  The pension rate is currently 13.5%.  Funds are to sent to FMCUSA HR via ACH. There is an additional fee if not paid by ACH. For more information see:

Pastoral Salaries & Benefits

Wabash Conference Check Request Forms & Other Information

For additional forms & information, please see the following: