What is the policy on keeping financial records on tithing parishoners?

Question

I found out that mormon churches keep social security numbers, bank account numbers, etc., etc. on their parishoners who tithe. I guess they record this information from personal checks after the basket is passed around. What are the laws concerning this and why would the church want to have such detailed information?

Answer 1

First of all no one passes a bucket, a basket or a collection plate. There is no prayer for a good day's take.

Members pay tithing weekly, monthly or annually. At the end of the year a statement is given, and the member is asked if it is a full thithing. No bank or tax records. Just answer yes or no. What happens if you say no? You are not eligible to go to the temple. You may not receive certain callings. This is strictly between the member and the bishop.

Answer 2

You have been misinformed. The Church does not keep social security numbers or bank account information on tithe-paying or any other members.

Also, there is no basket passing in the LDS Church. Tithing is given in a sealed envelope directly to one of the local leaders who accounts for it for auditing and record keeping purposes. Members usually pay by check, but they can also make a donation in cash or by money order. The member is then provided a summary of all donations at the end of the year for the member's tax purposes and so the member can reconcile what the Church believes has been received with what the member believes he or she has paid.

Perhaps you are confusing paying tithing as a member of the Church with being a paid employee of one of the church-owned corporations? There are a few members who are employed by one of the corporations of the Church who must provide social security numbers for legal reasons as would any employer. The corporation will also get bank account numbers and a 'voided' check for direct deposit of paychecks (similar to other employers who pay by direct deposit), but this has nothing to do with tithing.

Answer 3

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does a very good job of accounting for all charitable funds be they tithing, fast offerings, or other money.

Each member is assigned a membership record number. This number is the one used to identify a member for use in tracking ordinance information, such as baptism. We do not use the social security number and we do not have anyone's personal bank information. Members give tithing in a sealed envelop to a leader in the congregation and usually pay by check. Two brethren are always present when counting the tithing money. The church keeps meticulous records for all money received in preparation for the annual audit and for tax purposes for members.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The church I went to kept records of the amounts the members tithed- this was so that at the end of the year, they could send a statement to the members that could be filed with their taxes.
They never asked for our social security numbers and personal information never went beyond name, address and phone number.
Since we never sent the statements with our taxes, we always tithed in cash without filling out the envelope- it should not matter unless someone wanted to claim their contributions.
I don't know of any reason the church would need SS #'s or anything beyond the basic name address and phone number.

Answer 5

As I read your question it seems that you are concerned about the legality of keeping the information that you mentioned. There is no law against retaining information that is freely given. If all of that data is provided on the check ( a bad idea in my opinion) or by some other means of free will then it is public knowledge.
Why would they want to retain the information? Two reasons first to maintain a clear paper trail of their finances for audit and public disclosure reasons (IRS). Secondly, depending on the sophistication of the fund-raising organization many positive things can be accomplished with a "donor friendly" approach.