Planting Churches Among the City's Poor - Volume 2

P ART II: C HURCH P LANTING T OOLKIT • 307

Bank Accounts and Receiving Gifts Rev. Dr. Hank Voss

I. Can the church receive tax-deductible gifts or does the church have to incorporate first?

A. You do not have to incorporate to receive tax deductible gifts. Anyone may give to the church and deduct their gift, whether the church is incorporated or not.

1. All churches have the authority to receive tax-deductible gifts.

2. All churches are exempt from paying federal tax.

3. No paperwork needs to be filed to be a church.

II. Under what structure can the church start doing business?

A. Under World Impact, a denomination, or sending church

1. The church can operate under World Impact until there is indigenous leadership and the missionaries exit.

2. The church may decide to stay under a denomination or sending church even with indigenous leadership.

B. As an unincorporated association

C. As a separate corporation

III. What does the church need to open a bank account?

A. Use an existing World Impact, a denomination, or sending church bank account.

B. Open as an unincorporated association.

C. Open as a separate corporation.