I am the minister of music at my church, and I'm about to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy. I get paid a salary at my church, and I wanted to know if I should include that salary in my bankruptcy paperwork? Since there is no paper trail to the money, I didn't know whether or not to include it.
2007-01-01 22:58:25 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
You must disclose all income for the last 2 years on your Statement of Financial Affairs, your gross income for the last 6 months on Form 22 Means Test and your current income on Schedule I. You will also sign a declaration under penalty of perjury that you have disclosed all of your income.
Worst situation, your case will get dismissed without a discharge. The US Attorney can also press criminal charges against you.
2007-01-03 11:09:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm thinking you need to be honest about your income, don't you? Set the example (even if people don't know your personal situation, your God will).
Ask your lawyer what the best move is for you. Since the church probably keeps a record of it's transactions (even the cash ones), you'll run the remote possibility of getting bitten on this one of the IRS audits the church if you don't report the cash transactions you received from them. But that's a chance you'll have to make a decision on.
2007-01-01 23:50:10 · answer #2 · answered by Tate T 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To answer your question, if you want to do the right thing, yes you should include your church income in your papers. If you want to do the questionable act, include it only if there is a paper trail. (Do they file a W2 for you at the end of the year? Are you paid in cash, or check?)
2007-01-02 00:29:52 · answer #3 · answered by MARK G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a bankruptcy attorney in California. You are signing your bankruptcy paperwork under penalty of perjury and the U.S. Attorney's office is getting more aggressive in prosecute bankruptcy fraud. Failure to list your church income is a crime and contrary to the Bible. Remember the commandment about bearing false witness?
2007-01-03 11:57:12 · answer #4 · answered by Carl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what will JESUS do. it is a income and since you can file you tithing that you give to the the church at tax time then in the salary in your bankptcy.
2007-01-02 01:17:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only your lawyer can answer this for you. I tend to suspect since you are asking if it is ok to hide income you probably are not a minister
2007-01-01 23:00:36 · answer #6 · answered by Star 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I assume you want to be honest and follow the law, so yes you must report it as part of your income.
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2007-01-01 23:15:07 · answer #8 · answered by trisha j 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say No, because you don't include that on your taxes, or do you. Church is exempt from taxation.
2007-01-01 23:29:29 · answer #9 · answered by silkieladyinthecity 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pray and the answer will be revealed unto you. If it is yes, it is from God, telling you to be honest. If it is no, it is from Satan, trying to make you cheat.
2007-01-01 23:49:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋