Clergy Tax Seminar Will Review Tax Law, 2011 Changes

A tax seminar for clergy will be held on Feb. 20 through a collaboration of Bethany Seminary’s Office of Electronic Communication, the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, and the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry. Seminary students, pastors, and other church leaders are invited to attend the seminar either in person at Bethany Seminary in Richmond, Ind., or online.

The sessions will cover tax law for clergy, changes for 2011 (the most current tax year), and detailed assistance on how to file the various forms and schedules that pertain to clergy (including housing allowances, self-employment, etc.).

Greatly appreciated by Bethany Seminary students, this seminar is being opened up to clergy and others across the denomination for the first time. It is recommended for all pastors and other church leaders who wish to understand clergy taxes.

Leading the seminar is Deborah L. Oskin, EA, NTPI Fellow, and an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. She has been doing clergy tax returns since 1989 when her husband became pastor of a small Church of the Brethren congregation. She has learned the problems and pitfalls associated with the IRS identification of clergy as “hybrid employees” both from personal and professional experience as an H&R Block agent. During 12 years with the company (2000-2011) she achieved the highest level of expertise certification as a master tax adviser, a teaching certification as a certified advanced instructor, and the status of enrolled agent with the IRS. She is serving Living Peace Church of the Brethren in Columbus, Ohio, as peace minister to the wider community. She also was Southern Ohio District’s board chair from 2007-2011, and works closely with several interfaith peace organizations in central Ohio.

The schedule for Feb. 20: morning session 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (eastern), lunch on your own, afternoon session 2-4 p.m. (eastern). Registration is $15 per person (nonrefundable to keep fees and overhead low). Registration for current students of Bethany Seminary, Training in Ministry (TRIM), Education for Shared Ministry (EFSM), and Earlham School of Religion is fully subsidized and free to the student. Those who register to attend online will receive instructions about how to gain access to the seminar a few days prior to the event. Registrations are not complete until payment is received.

Register at www.bethanyseminary.edu/webcasts/clergytax2012 .

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