All Leaders

  • 1.  Introduction--Tax Resource

    Posted 01-24-2024 03:13 PM

    Hello everyone! My name is Pam Palmer and I serve as the Director of Tax and Compliance for the LCMS. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about taxes--especially clergy tax. Please feel free to reach out to me via Shareboard, email at pam.palmer@lcms.org or 314-996-1441. Thank you!



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    Pam Palmer
    LCMS
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  • 2.  RE: Introduction--Tax Resource

    Posted 01-29-2024 04:15 PM
    Wonderful to hear from you, Pam! Housing allowance and parsonage allowance has always been a confusing subject and trying to explain it to our voters assembly! Can you explain the difference between the two and the current status of legal challenges to allowance?

    Thanks so much!
    Ginny Ranisate, Office Manager
    St. Johns Lutheran Church
    803 W First St
    Park Rapids, MN 56470
    218-732-9783



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Introduction--Tax Resource

    Posted 01-31-2024 01:34 PM

    Hi Virginia,

    There is a resource that is available to you on Shareboard that addresses the Housing allowance and the Parsonage allowance. It is taken from the Congregational Treasurer's Manual.

    The resource regarding the housing and parsonage allowance can be found at this link. 



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    Pam Palmer
    LCMS
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Introduction--Tax Resource

    Posted 02-06-2024 09:56 AM
    Thank you!
    Ginny Ranisate, Office Manager
    St. Johns Lutheran Church
    803 W First St
    Park Rapids, MN 56470
    218-732-9783



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Introduction--Tax Resource

    Posted 04-11-2025 02:23 PM

    Pam, thanks for introducing yourself. I've just started exploring how, as a church, we can avoid paying sales tax for the items our church members buy for their respective committees. Short of establishing tax exempt accounts with every vendor before a transaction, or funneling all spending requests through our admin assistant or financial secretary, I'm hoping you might have a more efficient idea on how to limit our sales tax exposure. Thank you!

    Blessings,

    Gordon Soderlund



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    Gordon Soderlund
    Epiphany Lutheran Church
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Introduction--Tax Resource

    Posted 04-14-2025 08:23 AM

    While setting up tax-exempt accounts with vendors or funneling purchases through a central administrator are the most common strategies, there are a couple of alternative approaches that might help streamline the process.

    1. Standardized Tax Exemption Packet--Create a simple "tax-exempt packet" for committee members to carry when making purchases. This packet would include:
      1. A copy of your church's tax exemption certificate.
      2. A brief letter of authorization from the church
      3. Guidelines on what qualifies as a tax-exempt purchase 

    This allows members to present documentation at point of sale without needing to set up an account ahead of time. 

    • 2. Online Purchasing through a Central Account: For items that can be ordered online, having one central Amazon Business or similar account tied to your exemption certificate can help keep purchases tax-free and trackable, even across different committees. 

    Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions or if I can be of service in any way!

    Pam Palmer



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    Pam Palmer
    LCMS
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    Original Message


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