BGAV – Baptist General Association of Virginia The 21st Century Cures Act recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama allows an exception for small employers from the rules limiting Health Reimbursement Arrangements to employer-sponsored group health plans.
Subtitle D, Other Provisions, Sec. 18001 of the act provides.
- Exception from group health plan requirements for qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements.
- Exempts small employers who operate qualified Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) from the penalties imposed by Obamacare through rules relating to “group health plans.”
- To qualify, an HRA would need to supplement existing health coverage of an employee, and reimbursement payments to any given employee would be capped at $4,950 ($10,000, if an HRA also provides for reimbursements for an employee’s family members), indexed for inflation.
This change allows a church employer with fewer than 50 full-time employees to provide non-taxed reimbursement of medical expenses from church funds even if the employees do not have group coverage through the church.
For additional information go, click here.
2017 STANDARD BUSINESS MILEAGE RATE
The IRS has announced the 2017 standard business mileage rate will decrease to 53.5 cents per mile (down from 54 cents per mile in 2016). The mileage for medical or moving purposes also decreases to 17 cents (down from 19 cents in 2016). The mileage rate for charitable driving remains the same at 14 cents per mile. For more information, click here.
Please contact Jeff Cranford with any questions.
Upcoming Events
- Church and Clergy Tax Seminars: for church staff and lay leaders who handle taxes and compensation
- Planning for Retirement Seminars: help church staff save for retirement; and help lay leaders offer custom retirement plans
- Church Financial Administration Seminars
- Compensation Planning Seminars: help churches create and manage benefits as part of a comprehensive compensation plan for church employees
Church and Clergy Tax Seminars:
Planning for Retirement Seminars:
Church Financial Administration Seminars
Compensation Planning Seminars
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
 | September 25, 2017 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM | CANCELLED: Compensation Planning Seminar Northstar Church Network Office, Annandale |
| September 26, 2017 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM | CANCELLED: Compensation Planning Seminar Manassas Baptist Church, Manassas |
![Jeff Cranford : [staff-title]](https://vbmb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/cranford-jeff.jpg)
Jeff CranfordField Strategist, Central Region; Compensation Planning Specialist
804.921.3945
jeff.cranford@bgav.org
Click on the following headings for information related to these vital areas of providing financial support for church staff to empower them for effective ministry.
Treasurer's Role
Treasurer's Role
The Church Treasurer’s Role is an excerpt from the Church Management Guidebook, a publication of the Support Ministries Team at the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Please Note: This publication is intended to provide a timely, accurate, and authoritative discussion of the position of Church Treasurer. It is not intended to be an exhaustive discussion of all items relating to the position of the church treasurer. It is also not intended as a substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal, tax or other expert assistance is required the services of a competent professional should be sought. Although we believe this document provides accurate information, there may be changes resulting from IRS or judicial interpretations of the Tax Code, new tax regulations, or technical corrections that occurred after the printing of this book that are not reflected in the text.[/toggle]
Church Staff Compensation Study and Reports
Church Staff Compensation Study and Reports
The 2016 Compensation Study is available for use by churches and church staff in compensation planning. The 2016 study was a joint project of state Baptist conventions, Lifeway Christian Resources and GuideStone Financial Resources.
Compensation and congregational data was collected anonymously from ministers and office/custodial personnel of Southern Baptist churches and church-type missions. Reports are based on compensation for over 12,000 respondents from all 42 state conventions. While this data is made available with respect for the autonomy of each local church, the information can help a church be objective in considering appropriate staff compensation. All amounts are annual amounts based on 2016 compensation. Cost of living adjustments should be made when using the data in subsequent years.
Insurance Services
Insurance Services
Compensation Planning
Compensation Planning
Retirement Services
Retirement Services
Salary Package Information
Salary Package Information
Tax Information
Tax Information
HealthCare Reform and Providing Medical Insurance for Church Employees
HealthCare Reform and Providing Medical Insurance for Church Employees
Beginning January 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandated new rules around how employers can assist employees with the cost of health care coverage through reimbursement vehicles such as employer payment plans, health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and Section 125 plans including premium-only cafeteria plans (POPs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
Information on Healthcare Reform is available at http://www.guidestoneinsurance.org/HealthcareReform2.
Jeff Cranford, BGAV Compensation Planning Specialist, can provide information, consultations, and resources to help church staff and lay leaders understand and comply with the provisions of Healthcare Reform.
