tax-decuctionsOne way to make budget at the end of the year is to know how to use the IRS to increase giving.  That might seem crazy but the law of the land can help you as you attempt to close the gap in end of year giving.  If you are interested read on.

It is jokingly stated that there are only two certainties in life, death and taxes.  Every one has to pay some tax whether it is the food you buy or the check you get.  Taxes are inevitable.  Yet here is a cool reality, gifts to charities AND churches are tax deductible!  If you are wise you can use that to your churches advantage.

Let me state right off the bat that giving should be a matter of the heart not the checkbook.  I want people to give because giving allows churches to continue to do all the cool ministry and missions they do.  However why can’t we have it both ways?  Why can’t I benefit from the sheer joy of generosity AND get a tax break?  You can in our great country.  I help my client churches do this all the time and you can do the same thing.

Use the power of suggestion to increase giving!  In our churches during the month of December we post messages throughout all platforms reminding people that gifts to the church are tax deductible.  Why do we do that?  Many people start thinking about their taxes around the end of the year.  Good stewardship means that I take every tax advantage the government allows.  When you post or print announcements about gifts being tax deductible it works as a power of suggestion often moving them to give when they might not have beforehand.  So, remind your members through all platforms that they can give.

Help your small businesses get a deduction.  Last year I made a donation to my church through my business as I wanted to minimize my business tax.  My church received some additional funds and I got a tax write off.  That is a win/win.  I advise all my client churches to send out a letter to their business leaders reminding them that they can give to the church through their business.  Most small businesses are going to their accountants in November and December to start their tax planning.  Your letter at the right time could spur them to give you more money.

Use your giving statements as a means to garner additional dollars.  Churches are required by the IRS to send out yearly giving statements to all donors.  So, make the law work for you by inserting two important things into that statement.  First, write a thank you note.  A thank you note or letter is the most positive reminder of giving there is.  Secondly, have a postage paid self-addressed envelope in the letter making it easier for them to respond.  The easier you make it for people to give the more likely they will give.

These are simply yet effective ways to use the IRS to increase your giving.  My members at Giving365 not only got this advice they received the samples to do all of the above.  They now have a clear end of year strategy that WILL increase their giving.  Do you?

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I can get you on the path towards being fully funded!

Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach