Prayer & Dates: February 2019

February Prayer/Praises and Special Dates

Click the link above to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for February. Note: You will need to login to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on Files, Shared, then Headquarter Happenings, then scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.

From Our President: February 2019

Danny WhetstoneLet the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

This simple verse is so convicting to me. Knowing that my Lord knows the thoughts and intents of my heart is a challenge for every moment of every day. We are to lay aside every weight and the sin that besets us. It is easy to recognize the words and thoughts that are sin; however, words and thoughts that are “weights” are not always so easily identified. Well, not before we say them at least. Then comes the phrase, “be acceptable in Thy sight.” The question is not, should I say it? The question is, once I have said it is the Lord pleased?

The problem has been intensified with the rapid delivery of social media. When no one is sitting in front of us, it seems we feel the need to express every thought and opinion. Very often this is without considering how our opinion might affect someone else. Consider this, please. Not everything thought necessarily needs to be said or written. We all have opinions, and very often we feel strongly about them. But still, that does not mean we should blurt them out for public consumption.

It would appear that often we have a message that we want to convey to someone specifically, but we lack the quality of character to go to that individual personally. So a broad net is cast in the hopes that they will get the picture and conform to our wishes or appreciate our opinions. Everyone influences others for good or bad. Let’s use that influence with words fitly spoken in an effort to provoke one another to “love and good works.”

There are many things that the Scripture does not speak of definitively. Therefore, we can all develop thoughts that are contrary to those of others. Where the Bible has spoken clearly, we should speak boldly. But where opinion rules rather than absolute fact, shouldn’t we be less aggressive? Why would we want to offend a brother unnecessarily? The answer is simple: pride! There are many that I disagree with over a range of subjects, but that does not make them my enemy. However, those disagreements can be used to create an enemy or hurt a brother without cause.

James has some excellent advice for us in James 1:19, 26, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:…If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” We can do more damage with our tongue in a second than we can repair in a lifetime. I should know. I am certainly more convicted by the things that I have said than I am by the things I did not say when everything in me screamed to let it out.

Respect for the ideas of others will go a long way toward dodging uncalled for arguments and debates.

In His Service,
Danny A. Whetstone

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. Whetstone here to let him know.

From the Memo Board: February 2019

Dates to Know

February 18 – You should receive the 2019 MFR Template with the new mileage rates.

March 1 – January Financial Reports will be due.

June 17-20 – Family Fellowship Week in Edinburg, VA.

New Employee!

We are pleased to introduce Brittany Morrow as our new office assistant. Brittany’s initial tasks will include processing support checks. You can reach her by email at [email protected]. Her testimony is below.

My name is Brittany Morrow. My testimony of salvation starts when I was a young girl at VBS. One particular night of VBS I decided to go to an altar call; all my friends were going and I didn’t want to feel left out. I clung to a repeat-after-me prayer I said that night as my testimony of salvation. As I grew older I struggled with my “salvation experience.” I was under conviction and I knew I was missing something in my heart. On April 2, 2008, at a revival meeting, I gave my heart and life to Christ. Although I had grown up in church all my life it wasn’t until I got saved that I began to understand the love of Christ and what He could do with my life.

Fast-forward to 2014, I met Justin whom I married on July 9, 2016. At this time I moved to Kings Mountain and started attending Faith Baptist Church in Shelby. In October of 2016, God called Justin to preach. The Lord has given my husband opportunities to preach since then and has opened many doors for us to serve in. Together we serve in our church’s bus ministry where we both share a route and teach classes. We also serve as sponsors to our youth group. As sponsors, we help with the SIGMA youth program and attend youth meetings and trips. I’m thankful for the ministries the Lord has allowed me to be involved in and can’t wait to see what He has in store for my spiritual journey.

Retirement Accounts

Last year, our CPA and attorneys identified a tax advantage for you by having us begin to issue a 1099 tax document instead of a W-2 for all of our missionaries. These tax professionals recommended to the Executive Board to make the transition. The pastors on the Executive Board voted to make this change effective 2019.

One of the advantages of receiving a 1099 tax document is you have greater choices for types of retirement accounts. You now have available to you and/or your spouse these additional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) options:

1. Traditional IRA
2. Roth IRA
3. SEP-IRA
4. SIMPLE IRA
5. Solo 401(k)

You are also able to open an account with any investment firm of your choice.

Click here to read an article I found helpful in understanding the benefits of each account.

Another helpful article from Dave Ramsey is available by clicking here.

You may want to speak with someone about your retirement options. David O’Malley, Bro. O’Malley’s brother, is an advisor for Edward Jones. He has offered to assist our missionaries in any way, even if they are not a client of his. His offer is a no-cost unbiased consultation. His phone number is 561-833-9123.

Most investment firms offer the above IRA options to independent contractors. (Independent Contractor is the term the IRS uses to describe your relationship to WW as a self-employed missionary.) You will need to discuss your options with the firm. The investment firm will have specific instructions for you once you make the choice of what type of account you want. When you have opened your account, you can contact me and I will be happy to send your monthly contribution in for you.

Speaking with an investment advisor and/or your CPA can help you in choosing the best plan for you and your family. There are more options available to you than ever before. Please do not delay. Adding retirement investing to your monthly budget means preparing for your family’s future.

If you have any questions, I will be happy to assist in any way.

Mrs. Kim O’Malley

Benefits of Financial Reports

The Monthly Financial Report (MFR) is the tool that missionaries can use to become accountable to WWNTBM for their reimbursable expenses, rather than having all funds listed as salary. Over the course of 2018, 79% of those eligible chose to submit MFRs. By doing so, they were able to reduce their W-2 Wages by a combined average of 31.11%. If you are not currently utilizing MFRs and would like information about how to begin, please contact our Office. We also recommend watching the MFR Intro video. This is available in SecureCloud under Forms and Manuals.

Financial Status Report

We have uploaded a Financial Status Report to your SecureCloud account, showing figures for the fourth quarter of 2018. This is meant to show you the financial details that we have on file, such as your support estimate and the average amount of support you received this past quarter. This is information we provide to pastors who may call about your ministry. We ask that all missionaries update their support estimate once every four years or as your lives and ministries change. Please review this information and contact us if you have any questions.

Uplift Schedule

Each month World Wide holds encouragement conference calls for our missionaries. This year we broadened the times of these meetings to give more of our mission family the opportunity to join. Friday meetings at 11:15 AM EST will remain deputation focused. The other dates and times we arranged for the convenience of those in our mission family serving in varying time zones.

1st Tuesday of the Month: 6:00 AM EST
2nd Tuesday of the Month: 9:00 AM EST
3rd Thursday of the Month: 11:00 AM EST
4th Tuesday of the Month: 9:00 PM EST

Each week we send you an email to let you know about the meeting opportunities for the week and how to join. The current schedule is listed below. All are welcome to join any Uplift meeting!

February 8 – 11:15 AM EST – Jeremy Lockhart – Deputation Challenge
February 12 – 9:00 AM EST – Markie Bullock – Spiritual Encouragement
February 15 – 11:15 AM EST – John O’Malley – Character Building
February 21 – 11:00 AM EST – TBA
February 22 – 11:15 AM EST – Leland Johnson – Cold Calling on Deputation
February 26 – 9:00 PM EST – Mike Grove – Spiritual Encouragement
March 1 – 11:15 AM EST – David Landers – Spiritual Encouragement

Please contact us with any questions.

New Baby!

Elijah “Judson” Brown was born to Matt and Nikki Brown on January 30. He weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. The Browns are on furlough and will soon be returning to Cambodia. They have three older children: Joshua (5), Julie (3), and Judah (2).

New Missionaries!

Don and Karen Clarke are the newest missionaries to partner with World Wide. They are sent out of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kings Mountain, NC, with Pastor Jim Ogle. The Clarkes previously served as missionaries in Kenya for 15 years. They have seven adult children, including Gloria Duarte, who is our missionary to Brazil. They desire to serve in a helps ministry, including furlough replacement.

Tax Time Reminders

Tax season is once again upon us! Here are several reminders concerning tax issues that you may face. We trust that this information will be useful to you, both in giving you a better understanding of your reports and helping you to be aware of items that may affect your personal taxes.

Tax Paperwork for 2018

Tax-related paperwork generated by WWNTBM is in your SecureCloud folder. This includes W-2 forms, MFR Summary Reports, and Estimated Tax letters. Please be sure to look at the 2nd page of the MFR Summary, to see if there are any specific notes for you and your tax preparer. If you requested that we submit your tax information directly to your tax preparer, please note that those documents will be sent in mid-February. This is to ensure that there is time for us to include any forms that may arrive in our office from other sources. If you have any questions, please contact Naomi.

1099 Forms

If churches issued funds payable to you in excess of $600 during the year 2018, they may issue you a 1099 form. If those funds were either mailed to the office or included on Line 2 of your MFR as extra income, they are already included in the total of your W-2. Our office can assist you in verifying whether the funds were included on your W-2. Your tax preparer can assist you on your return in recording this so that you are not taxed twice on the same income. We recommend that you request churches to make checks payable to WWNTBM to avoid this issue in the future.

Foreign Tax Exclusion

In order to claim the foreign tax exclusion, you must be out of the US for 330 days over a 12 month period of time; however, these days do not have to be in the same calendar year. In order to gain the full benefit of the foreign tax exclusion, your tax preparer may be able to revise your returns based on the actual time you have spent overseas. Because of this, it is vital to provide your tax preparer with all of your travel dates to and from the US. You may also wish to discuss with your tax preparer what dates would be the best travel dates when planning to leave for the field or return on furlough, as this could affect how much you are allowed to claim under the foreign tax exclusion.

It is our understanding that, while the Foreign Tax Exclusion does benefit many of our missionaries, it may not always be the best solution, as there are other situations which may give a greater benefit. Some of those options may affect taxes not only for this year but for future years as well. This is another reason we recommend consulting a tax professional who can advise you in relation to your unique circumstance.

Healthcare and your taxes

Our financial report gives a location for you to track ‘heath insurance costs.’ However, each individual situation is different. Some use this area to record traditional health insurance, some use it to record expenses through the Marketplace, and others use it to record details for a health care sharing ministry such as Samaritan Ministries. While all of these are health-related costs, each of the examples affects your taxes in a different way. Please be sure that your tax preparer is aware of the details of your health coverage, as it may affect how they complete your tax return.

Estimated Tax Payments

Missionaries are considered to be self-employed and are therefore subject to self-employment taxes. Submitting quarterly estimated tax payments throughout the year will help to prevent having a large tax payment due each April. Estimated tax payments can be submitted on your own, or, if you are interested, you may contact our office for information on how we can submit them for you.

Tax Paperwork for those with Foreign Bank Accounts

US Treasury Dept. regulations require that if you have any foreign bank accounts, and if the sum total of all of your foreign accounts has ever been $10,000 at any given time during the past year, you must complete the IRS Foreign Bank and Financial Account Form (FBAR) and give it to your tax preparer. This includes all foreign accounts on which you are a signatory, such as a ministry account. This form, and further information about it is available on the IRS website at www.irs.gov. Please refer to the IRS website and your tax preparer if you have any questions.

Utilizing a Tax Professional

Studies have shown that the average person who uses a tax professional, instead of filing their own taxes, receives a much greater tax return. The savings far exceed the amount spent to hire a professional. Many have also found that using tax software does not always compare to the benefits of using a professional, either. In many instances, it is not that the software or the self-filer is wrong, but that other choices may be better. (Information is taken from daveramsey.com.)

It is also good to note that not all professionals are familiar with tax situations that might affect you. We encourage all missionaries to use a certified tax preparer who is familiar with special tax situations that affect missionaries and those living overseas. A listing of tax preparers used by other missionaries is available on SecureCloud, under the Forms and Manuals section.

Update to New Financial Procedures

In December we notified you of several new procedures to begin January 1, 2019. (Click here to read those details.) As we continued working with our CPA and tax attorneys throughout December, we were able to find solutions to alleviate some of the changes. Please review the following information and contact our office if you have questions.

Update for Non-Resident Aliens (Non-US Citizens)

We have learned the requirement to withhold 30% in taxes on US source income paid to Non-Resident Alien missionaries (NRAs) only applies when the individual is present in the United States. Therefore, no withholding will be taken while missionaries are overseas. Because of this change, there is no longer a need to have a single pay date each month for all NRAs. Missionaries will continue to receive funds on their regular schedule.

Our CPA still encourages NRAs to have their ministry recognized as a foreign non-profit organization (FNPO), as this will provide greater protection to World Wide and to the individual missionary.

We request that all NRAs notify the Office in advance of any travel to the United States so that we can be prepared to comply with IRS regulations. In addition, there are visa stipulations for those conducting ministry while in the US. Travel to the US under the wrong visa status could impact others within the World Wide family, as Homeland Security looks to us to ensure those associated with us are in the US legally. Thank you for helping us with this so we can remain in compliance!

Update on Payments to Individuals

WWNTBM recognizes that part of the ministry the Lord has called you to may include assisting individuals on the field, whether by giving charitable assistance to those in need or by paying a salary to a secretary or assistant pastor. Unfortunately, these situations can create employment and tax issues both in the US and on the field.

When missionaries pay any form of compensation to an individual in exchange for services rendered for their business (ministry), WWNTBM becomes the de facto employer of the individual. WWNTBM is then liable for employment laws and for issuing tax documents to the recipient. We have learned the requirement to withhold 30% in taxes for compensation paid to non-resident aliens (non-US citizens) only applies if they are in the US. However, due to the other difficulties created with compensating NRAs, missionaries may not list salaries (i.e., any compensation for services rendered) as reimbursable expenses on their MFRs, except those for individuals who have been previously approved by our Executive Board, (e.g., their spouse or children.)

Please click here to review information on Payments to Individuals and the changes that will apply as of January 1, 2019.

Foreign Non-Profit Organization Status

Thank you to those who have begun the process to register your ministry as a Foreign Non-Profit Organization (FNPO.) We realize this takes a lot of time to gather the necessary documents. If you have an FNPO and have not yet started the process of obtaining this recognition with our CPA, we recommend beginning this as soon as possible. Please contact Laura or Naomi with any questions you may have.

From Our President: January 2019

Danny Whetstone
There is an ever-increasing difference between light and darkness. As I reflect over the years of life and ministry, I am struck with the clarity of distinction between the two. It appears that for many years gray was the most pronounced color. Right blended with wrong. Just blended with unjust. It appears that the difference between the two is becoming increasingly clear. Everyone is taking sides! Yes, the world is divided. It is indeed true that America is divided. Is this a bad thing? I think not.

As much as in me is possible I want to live at peace with all men. But, I do not wish to do so if it requires me to live in “gray.” To make a definite decision to do right will divide us from lifelong friends. Sometimes it will divide families. We will find ourselves choosing. Will it be right, wrong or gray? Are we coming to the end? Is this the day in which all men must come out of the shadow of gray and declare to walk either in light or darkness? If this is that time, then I say, “Praise the Lord.” Let’s make our declaration clear. Let’s be determined to walk in the light. Let’s cry out against the darkness. Let’s offer the world a distinct choice between the two worlds that exist, and refuse to live any longer in the gray area of life.

God does not mince words when making a case for light and darkness. Even a cursory reading of the first chapter of Romans makes His declaration clear. It seems that much of Christianity has lived in “gray” in an attempt to influence the world toward light. I suppose that the idea would be that gray is better than black. Is it? That would not be God’s way of thinking, and should not have ever been ours. We must offer the unsaved world something clearly different. Yes, it is the narrow way. Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Oh yes, we must become all things to all men, but not at the expense of light. We must not invite the world to gray. The invitation should be with grace and love; however, the invite must be clearly to light.

We are entering some of the darkest days the world has ever witnessed. Will we be distinctively different? Will we offer the unsaved a notable difference. Salvation is not a halfway house for the condemned. Salvation is a light in which is no darkness at all. We must be dedicated to passing on God’s offer to the world. We have no right to offer anything else in His Name.

I have witnessed the years of mean, heartless offers of Christianity. I have also witnessed the years of soft, lifeless offers of the same. Grace and truth. There is no other way to represent God accurately. Yes, God is love, but His love will never abandon His holiness. What will it be for you this year? Light, darkness, or gray?

In His Service,
Danny A. Whetstone

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. Whetstone here to let him know.

From the Memo Board: January 2019

Dates to Know

January 15 – December Financial Reports will be due, along with any remaining receipts or financial paperwork for 2018.

January 31 – W-2 Forms and other tax documentation for the 2018 year will be available.

March 1 – January 2019 financial reports will be due.

June 17-20 – Family Fellowship Week with Valley Baptist Church in Edinburg, VA. Begin arranging your summer schedule to be with us!

Family Fellowship Week Change

Pastor Tim Daniel and the New Testament Baptist Church of Kinston, North Carolina, were to host our Family Fellowship Week meeting this year. However, due to the flooding last year, there are still not enough hotel rooms in the area to accommodate us.

Pastor Chad Estep and Valley Baptist Church of Edinburg, Virginia, graciously offered to help and host Family Fellowship Week 2019. The meeting begins with a meal on Monday evening, June 17, and ends with services on Thursday evening, June 20. Lodging and meals are provided by the church, and there is no cost other than travel. Missionaries are asked to attend all the services of the meeting. More information will be provided in coming weeks.

SecureCloud Packets

At the end of each month, we scan any mail that has come to the Office and place it in your SecureCloud folder. This would include check stubs for all bills paid by the Office, as well as any cards or correspondence from donors. Please be sure to check SecureCloud periodically, especially once you receive the notice that December packets have been uploaded, as many missionaries have received Christmas cards and letters which are available there.

January Income Totals

During a typical month, we close the books on the 25th, and any checks received after that date are posted to the following month. Due to receipting requirements, we cannot do this in the month of December. As a result, please be aware that your December support total may be higher than normal, while your January support total may be lower than normal. Please be sure to plan ahead for this!

Housing Allowances for 2019

Housing allowances previously in place have automatically rolled over to the new year. Missionaries who are ordained are eligible to have a housing allowance in place, which can provide certain tax benefits. If you did not have a housing allowance in 2018 and would like to have one for 2019, or if you have questions regarding this, please contact our office.

New Excel Template

A new Excel template for the year 2019 will be available during the second week of February. This will give us time to review the need for any possible updates. January financial reports will be due on March 1. Should you wish to complete your report before the new template is available, you are welcome to submit it on the 2018 template.

New Mileage Rate

Beginning January 1st, the IRS mileage rate has increased to $0.58 per mile for business/ministry miles. This change will be reflected in the new Excel template for 2019.

New Babies

Cadence Eliam was born to Clayton and Linda Eliam on Oct 15. She was premature, but thankfully she is doing fine! Cadence is the 6th child of the Eliams. Their older children are Cheryl, Nathan, Hadassah, Keila, and Timothy. Pray for them as they minister in Pohnpei.

John Prater was born to Ethan and Brittany Prater on December 2. He weighed 8 pounds and was 20 inches long. John is the fourth son of the Praters, joining his brothers Enoch (6), Silas (4), and Jude (2). Pray for the Praters as they are on deputation to go to the Dominican Republic.

New Missionaries

David and Aimee Marie Brubaker joined the World Wide family in December. They are sent out of Grace Baptist Church of Hinesville, GA, with Pastor Carey Hendricks. The Brubakers are both graduates of Ambassador Baptist College, and Aimee Marie is a sister to our missionary Matthew Rose. They have two children, Allen (6) and Artiss (5). Pray for them as they begin deputation to plant a church in Washington state.

Uplift Podcasts

The following recordings were recently published on Uplift.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. These recordings for our missions family contain the Uplift calls in their entirety, including prayer requests and challenges to our missionaries. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Jesus Prays for Us! — Elwood Hurst

Capturing Attention During Introductions — John O’Malley

Three Causes of Impatience — Terri Moore

Youth Ministry and Missions — Jim Ogle

Prayer & Dates: January 2019

January Prayer/Praises and Special Dates

Click the link above to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for January. Note: You will need to login to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on Files, Shared, then Headquarter Happenings, then scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.

From the Desk of a Friend: God’s Glory or the Need of Men

2 Corinthians 9:10-12
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

The concern of God for the ultimate need of mankind is great enough that He gave His only Son to bring sinners to reconciliation with Himself through Jesus Christ. Only Christ can meet this need; only the triune God should receive the glory.

As born again Christians, we should share the same value of reaching souls of men to point them to the Savior, the only One able to save them. A possible pitfall and tragic direction lie in some religious movements. They seem to hold a genuine burden for the needs of men. But to grow in number or recognition, they try to fulfill the work in ways other than God’s way, becoming like the lost to reach the sinner. This behavior leads to false security. Is our goal to meet the need of man through our own means and programs? Or is our goal to bring glory to God by meeting the needs of mankind?

These problematic approaches bring glory to man. The glory belongs to God and not to man. Our ultimate goal should be to bring glory to God by reaching mankind’s need for God. One author stated: “Increase of grace makes for an increase of thanksgiving to the glory of God.” To the saved soul, he or she will give thanksgiving to God instead of glory to man.

If we set our purpose and goal to bring glory to God, it will not diminish our hunger and desire to reach as many souls as possible. Instead, the desire increases to bring further glory to God. This goal not only honors God but also produces more lasting and genuine fruit. After all, it is God’s work, and He knows the best way. In fact, His way is the only way of salvation. His knowledge and plan far exceed ours and that of the world.

If Bro. Hurst’s article is an encouragement to you, please email him to let him know. You may also visit ebarnabas.org to make an appointment with him for encouragement.

New Financial Procedures

Our staff worked with our CPA and tax attorneys this year to bring World Wide into compliance with IRS and Employment laws. Our Executive Board directed us to implement new procedures by January 1, 2019. We have been in contact with all individuals who are currently affected. This section summarizes major changes that will take effect on January 1. Please make note of the following procedures and contact our office if you have questions.

New Pay Dates for Non-Resident Aliens (Non-US Citizens)

One area of compliance is the need to withhold 30% in taxes on US source income paid to Non-Resident Alien missionaries (NRAs). To accommodate the changes, all NRAs will receive a transfer on December 21, 2018, of all funds currently available. No taxes will be withheld on those funds. Any funds received after December 21 will be held until the January pay date, and the 30% in tax withholding will apply.

Starting in January, we can only distribute funds to NRAs one time per month. The payday for all NRAs will be the 25th of each month. If the 25th falls on a weekend, we will send funds on the Friday before. If we have been unable to close the books by the time we send funds, any funds received or processed after the transfer will be added to the next month’s payroll. For instance, if the 25th falls on a Sunday, we will send funds on Friday the 23rd. However, we may still internally process funds and close out books on Monday the 26th. In this instance, any funds processed after we have sent funds on the 23rd would be sent the 25th of the following month.

NRAs who have completed the process with our CPA to have their ministry recognized as a foreign non-profit organization (FNPO) will have the option for us to send transfers to their ministry bank account. Transfers made to recognized FNPOs will not be subject to the 30% withholding.

Payments or Gifts to Individuals

WWNTBM recognizes that part of the ministry the Lord has called you to may include assisting individuals on the field, whether by giving charitable assistance to those in need or by paying a salary to a secretary or assistant pastor. Unfortunately, these situations can create employment and tax issues both in the US and on the field.

When missionaries pay any form of compensation to an individual in exchange for services rendered for their business (ministry), WWNTBM becomes the de facto employer of the individual. WWNTBM is then liable for employment laws and for issuing tax documents to the recipient. Because the funds for such compensation come from US sources, this includes the requirement for WWNTBM to withhold 30% in taxes for all compensation paid to non-resident aliens (non-US citizens.)
By paying compensation to an individual, the missionary may also be entering into an employer/employee relationship according to local laws, and could, therefore, be personally liable for any local employment laws.
Business (ministry) gifts to individuals, whether given as cash or actual items, are limited by the IRS to a total deductible value of $25 per individual per year. Anything above that limit creates a tax situation when you try to claim it as a business expense.
Although as Christians we are commanded to help those in need, not all such assistance meets IRS standards for being tax deductible. For instance, individuals cannot receive a tax benefit for a benevolent or charitable donation made directly to another individual.
World Wide worked with our CPA and tax attorneys to establish guidelines which are beneficial to our missionaries, allowing them to carry out their ministry and remain in compliance with IRS intent. When making payments or donations to individuals, please keep the following principles in mind.

Compensation for services rendered

  • Any time you are paying an individual in return for something they do, you are compensating them. This includes circumstances we would typically think of as employment (i.e., a secretary, janitor, or landscaper.) It also includes situations where the recipient is required to earn a ‘donation,’ such as when the missionary agrees to pay a set amount on their school bill for every hour they spend volunteering in the ministry.
  • The best case scenario for the missionary to pay individuals is to first have their ministry established as a local non-profit. Once that is in place, we can work with our CPA to have the non-profit ministry recognized in the US as a foreign charity. (This process takes several weeks and currently costs $350-$400.) Once the paperwork is in place, WWNTBM can transfer some of the missionary’s funds directly to their foreign charity. The foreign charity then takes the responsibility of paying the individual according to local tax and employment laws. This option gives the missionary the tax deduction while relieving them of any personal liability. It also ensures that WWNTBM does not have to withhold 30% in US taxes for any local employees.
  • WWNTBM will no longer receive funds designated for individuals who are not missionaries with WWNTBM, including funds designated as “national support.” All funds received by WWNTBM should only contain the name of the missionary.
  • Missionaries may not list salaries (i.e., any compensation for services rendered) as reimbursable expenses on their MFRs, except those for individuals who have been previously approved by our Executive Board, (e.g., their spouse or children.) Because of tax withholding issues for non-resident aliens, the Executive Board has voted not to allow missionaries to claim a deduction for salaries paid to non-resident aliens. We recommend that missionaries legally establish their local ministry and obtain US foreign charity status before beginning or continuing to pay compensation to local individuals.
  • Please note: Personal compensation for non-ministry related tasks is between the missionary and the recipient. For instance, if you pay a for a housekeeper, babysitter, or landscaper at your home, those expenses have nothing to do with your MFR or the 30% in tax withholding by WWNTBM. However, when you pay others for work, and thereby sub-contract with another individual to further the ministry for which you receive US funds, that is when these rules apply.

Non-Compensatory Payments

  • One fundamental way for the missionary to avoid possible tax issues is to ensure that any donations or payments made to individuals are not given with the expectation of something in return. (e.g., Our ministry will assist with your child’s education because we help those with low income; but we do not expect you to lead singing or teach Sunday School as a prerequisite.)
  • All expenses listed on MFRs should be ordinary and necessary expenses to develop the long-term stability of the ministry within the local culture.
  • Donations to individuals in the church or general population are allowable expenses so long as they are for the promotion, public relation, or development of goodwill between the ministry and the local people, or the humanitarian needs of the community.
  • Donations to individuals apart from regular ongoing activities of the ministry as a whole are probably not deductible. For instance, seeing that your neighbor or coworker needs new tires and giving them money to meet that need is an expression of Christian love. But, if it is not the ministry of the church to provide vehicle repairs to the community as a whole, this is just a personal gift to a friend and is not tax deductible to the missionary.

Foreign Non-Profit Organization Status

In the past, transfers from World Wide to an overseas non-profit ministry account created an automatic deduction for the missionary. We recently learned rules exist which govern this deduction. To continue receiving this deduction, we need to go through a process with our CPA to legally establish that the foreign non-profit organization (FNPO) meets IRS guidelines. This process takes several weeks and involves gathering documentation for our CPA. The CPA’s review and certification cost $350 to $400. Upon completion, a Memorandum of Understanding needs to be signed by officers of the FNPO, agreeing to handle all funds received by World Wide and to comply with local tax laws.

Benefits of this registration include:

  • Ability to hold ministry funds at World Wide until needed, without claiming the income
  • Tax deductions for the missionary when personal funds are sent directly to the FNPO bank
  • Ability to pay local individuals through the FNPO, without 30% withholding on US source income
  • Protection for WWNTBM and for the missionary from both US and local employment laws (The FNPO becomes the employer.)

If you have an FNPO and have not yet started the process of obtaining this recognition with our CPA, we recommend beginning this as soon as possible. Please contact Laura or Naomi with any questions you may have.

Contributions to the Missions Agency

Part of our internal review has revealed inconsistencies in the way we manage the 5% contributions to help offset the expenses of the missions office. To clarify our policies, we want missionaries to be aware of the following guidelines. The 5% contribution applies in these situations:

  • A donor indicates new support, even if it is the first time we have received funds.
  • Funds begin coming from a donor on a regular basis, even if the check memo continues to say ‘gift,’ unless it is specifically designated such as ‘gift for building fund’ or some other specific project. Regular basis does not necessarily mean monthly; some donors give at varying times and some even give annually.
  • All regular funds received are subject to the 5% contribution, regardless of whether they are received in personal or ministry support accounts (i.e. accounts for ongoing operations of a ministry such as a School or Radio Station.)
  • Funds for specific projects will be evaluated on an annual basis to determine if they have become ongoing ministry support as opposed to one-time fundraising events.

Tax Documentation

Missionaries with World Wide have a unique tax status in that they are self-employed, but have received a W-2 as if they were an employee. In the past, this designation offered some unique benefits. However, based on much research, our CPA has recommended that we begin issuing 1099s as of the 2019 tax year. Please note the following:

      • The main change is the tax form you will receive from us starting in January 2020, for the 2019 tax year.
      • Your tax status does not change; you are still considered to be self-employed.
      • Missionaries will still receive a W-2 in January 2019, for the 2018 tax year.
      • Ordained ministers or those whose license or commission meet IRS guidelines will still be able to receive the benefit of a housing allowance.
      • Missionaries will still be able to submit their ministry expenses on monthly financial reports.
      • There may be changes in the form(s) your tax preparer submits when filing your personal taxes.
      • Those who have 403(b) retirement plans will need to make some changes in how these are structured. Our staff will be able to assist with this transition.