This Quarter’s Topics

Our New Location

Address/Phone Change

Our Move

Mileage Rates

Health Benefits
   HRA
   Health Sharing Ministries
   The Marketplace

Address/Phone Change

We have a new mailing address!  We are now located in the Lyons Plaza on Lyons Avenue in Newhall, California and our mailing address is:
               P.O. Box 221150
               Newhall, CA  91322
If you want to stop by just call or email us for directions. 
Our phone number has also changed and is now (661) 568-6801.  
Our email has NOT changed and is stewardship@ssfoundation.net. 

Our Move

Our move to our new location is now complete.  We appreciate so much the generosity of the donors that helped cover the expenses of our move, and although our monthly expenses have increased, the cost of the move has been completely covered.  As we continue forward we are confident the Lord will provide for our increased needs through the gifts and donations we receive throughout the year.  We have learned over the years that your giving has always risen to the level of our needs and we are trusting the Lord that this will continue. 

I can’t begin to tell you how excited everyone is about our new space.  We moved from 850 square feet and working right on top of each other to 1400 square feet.  It is a blessing for everyone to have their own desk (and a desk of adequate size).  We are now able to put the copy machine in a space of its own so the rest of us can hear each other talking.  Suffice it to say that we are poised for our best tax season ever and are looking forward to serving you more effectively through the coming years.  You are the reason for our existence and we never want to lose sight of that.

Mileage Rates

The 2020 IRS Mileage Rate is 57.5¢

Health Benefits

Churches have two options for providing tax free health insurance:  1) Purchase a group policy for all full-time employees or 2) Pay/Reimburse health insurance premiums through the use of a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).  A health reimbursement arrangement CANNOT provide the monthly share amount when an employer is using a health share ministry.   

HRA
When there is one full-time employee the church can reimburse or pay for the employee’s health costs with a HRA.  There is no limit on the amount available.  Churches with more than one full-time employee can use a QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement).  There are limits and strict discrimination rules apply.  For more information see our website at:  http://ssfoundation.net/pastors?qa_faqs=health-reimbursement-arrangement-hra

Health Sharing Ministries
For those who use Christian health sharing ministry for coverage, these expenses can NEVER be paid through a HRA.  When there is only one employee the employer can reimburse the employee for their share amount.  For employers with more than one employee, two sharing ministries provide group plans that the church can provide for all employees:  The Christian Care Ministry and Christian Health Care Ministries.

The Marketplace
When an employee obtains health insurance through a government online marketplace, and the employer provides a HRA, the employee must notify the marketplace.  Any subsidy would be reduced by the amount of the HRA. 

A simple newsletter cannot supply comprehensive details regarding any subject and especially one as complex as health benefits.  For more information we would recommend “Worth’s Income Tax Guide for Ministers”:  https://www.worthfinancial.com/product/worths-income-tax-guide-for-ministers/

Sincerely in Christ,

James W. Rickard

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