Church/temple dues

[mrdibs]

Hi; does anyone know if church/temple dues are tax deductible? Thanks.

[disneysteve]

Hi; does anyone know if church/temple dues are tax deductible? Thanks.

Absolutely.

[mom-from-missouri]

dues? or thithe and offering. I know thithes and offerings are, providing your church is a proper church. Most churches will give you a receipt at year end.
On a personal note, our church follows the teachings of Bible about a thithe of 10% and an offering is above that. My husband and I have noted that just about every year that we have followed that teaching and have given, we have been given back in some form way above what we have given to the church. One year we got an unexpected check from an old years ago credit card company that lost a lawsuit we didn't even know about, another time we were given a vehicle and tractor, another time some cattle were given to us. A few weeks ago I gave above our normal amount to help payoff the church van. A week later, I was surprised to receive a check in the mail for the same amount I had given plus another $300. It was from an old credit union account that had been my Grandmas and she had my name on the account also. She died over 13 years ago and the credit union is now closing its doors. I didn't even know I was on that account, and neither did my mom or aunt when they settled up her affairs. Just saying I truely believe God gives back more than we give.

[elessar78]

MFM, do you tithe pretax? This is a serious question, btw.

[mom-from-missouri]

No-we just drop it in the plate-usually by check. We attend a small church. I do know some of the "mega churches" around here are set up to the point that their members can arrange auto deductions from paycecks and even take visa and debit cards.

But, to me that is turning something that should be on a personal level to a business transaction.

[disneysteve]

No-we just drop it in the plate-usually by check.

That is definitely tax-deductible, though. Whether it is paid by cash, check or credit card doesn't matter.

We pay dues to our synagogue. Those are deductible also.

[elessar78]

I guess I was asking if the amount tithed is 10% of gross or 10% of net income?

[murphyc]

Hope no one is offended but I need to speak up about the "proper church" comment. I would agree with MRM that the bible teaches "tithes and offerings" are required of Israel but in this dispensation of grace, per the apostle Paul's writings, it is certainly NOT a requirement of the bible believer to contribute 10% of his income. I would note to you that Israel actually was required to give 30% (money plus crops, etc., not just 10%, comical that most "Christian" preachers don't realize this. We know Paul tells if we are believers, we are to give generously from the heart, and that for some people might be a great deal of money and time. We don't subscribe to the hocus-pocus/mysticism that if you give money to some church, lo-and-behold God will give you some unexpected reward for it; there is absolutely NO guarantee given to the bible believer by God in this age (body of Christ) that you will get any physical/carnal reward back from any generousity you have or how "holy" you think you might be, but yes, that WAS a promise to Israel, not to the body of Christ in this dispensation of grace. The body of Christ is totally separate from Israel, different promises, different consequences. Most "Christians" believe the body of Christ is "spiritual" Israel.

At my very legitimate assembly, MidActsDispensationalism, which will never be a huge megachurch (thank God), anyone and everyone is welcome to come study the bible with us. We don't waste a lot of money on social programs or things that have nothing to do with edifying the believer. Our church building is paid for. We support financially if we're able but have no membership "dues" or requirements and do get a financial statement at the end of the year.

[cptacek]

I think you took "providing your church is a proper church" the wrong way, murphyc. The way I read what mom-in-missouri wrote is that if the church is registered as a church with the government, any tithes or contributions are tax deductible. I don't think she was commenting in any way about the proper way to worship.

[deedee421]

I guess I was asking if the amount tithed is 10% of gross or 10% of net income?

I had asked my family this question last year, and the response I received was "Do you want your blessing on your net or on your gross". I've been tithing on my gross ever since lol, but I feel it is a personal decision.