As we near year end...

Dear Fellow SDB's and Friends,

It's hard to believe there are only a few days left in 2006! This has been an exciting year for Seventh Day Baptists. We are grateful for your support to help equip us to provide needed ministry tools to our churches around North America.

As we approach the year's end, as you may consider a last gift for tax consideration, would you please keep the ministries of the Seventh Day Baptist Conference of churches in your thoughts. Your contribution will help:
* Sabbath school materials
* Summer Christian Service Corp training
* Publications and brochures
* Foreign and Domestic Mission fields
* Pastors education
* AIM - our SDB Alliance In Ministry

We would be grateful if you would remember us in the closing days of 2006 with a year end contribution to one of our ministries. Your donation will help us continue to equip the local church with their specific needs...can you imagine the possibilities.

If you have already sent in a year-end gift, thank you! In case you haven't, we've made it easy for you to donate online http://www.seventhdaybaptist.org/. Or you can send it to us at the SDB Center in Janesville, Wisconsin. Please also consider forwarding this message - we would be grateful to know of others who may be interested in helping support the Alliance In Ministry of the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference. And, of course, if there is anything that we can do for you, please contact us.

May God bless you and your family in 2007.

Rob Appel
SDB Executive Director

What's in a Word

Yesterday Linda and I were looking for Christmas Crackers: no, not food to eat but pretty paper wrapped cylinders which "pop" as they are pulled apart revealing small toys and crepe paper crowns. It is an English tradition (which I did not learn in Jamaica). The looks on the store clerks faces when I asked for Christmas Crackers were priceless. Our search came up fruitless. (But not the cake in the fridge).
I grew up saying "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays". In the last few years there has been a push for PC (politically correct) speech which came to a head this year and now Target and Wal-Mart are both using the "C" word again. Words do have meanings, yet meanings can change. When I was in grade school "gay" ment happy and fun. Now it means something else. Growing up in Jamaica a "fag" was a cigarette and a "rubber" was a large eraser for school work.
So, even though it may seem odd and different, let me bless you in this way: May your celebration of the Incarnation of our Lord be joyous and draw you closer to He who is Creator, Light, the Word, Savior and the Head of His Church.

Gordon

Phones are okay!

Telephone service is back to normal (whatever that is) at the SDB Center. All the necessary changes have been made so we can make and receive calls once again.

I must say that it sure was quiet this morning-- all except for Morgan's cell phone. I am glad we had that backup system in place. We need to stay "connected."

Phone service changes

There may be some delays in phone service at the SDB Center on Monday, December 18. We are switching phone service providers.

Calls are being routed to Morgan Shepard's cell phone, so you might get what sounds like Morgan's personal message. Please record your message or need, and the party you are trying to reach can use his/her cell phone to return your call.

We appreciate your patience with this cost-saving upgrade to our phone service.

BJC pre-mailing

In a couple of weeks your church will be receiving info on the Baptist Joint Committee.


Every few years an issue will arise that is so controversial or so important, or both, that churches are asked to send their delegates to the General Conference session with instructions about how to cast that church’s vote. This process is called a “vote by churches” and when it occurs it takes two years to complete. One Conference session will send the issue to the churches for a vote at Conference the following year. During the Conference session in 2006 such a vote was set for a vote by churches at the Conference 2007 session.

In a couple of weeks your church will receive a packet with info on the Baptist Joint Committee. In this packet there will be pro and con opinions on whether we should remain affiliated with the BJC.

The “vote by churches” Formula is based on the following: “two delegates for each member church, as a church, and one additional delegate for each ten members of the church or major fraction of ten members.” The Conference will allocate delegates based on the statistics your church submits to General Conference Office by the end of February 2007, so it is especially important this year to submit accurate numbers. A church which has not submitted membership numbers will be allowed to cast only the minimum number of votes to which a church can be entitled, that is, three.

According to the Bylaws, past practice, or the action of Conference in 2006, your church has the following options for the vote in 2007:
1. It may cast a unanimous [“block”] vote either “yes” or “no” or it may divide its vote.
2. It may send its delegates with instructions about how to vote - or -
3. It may send its delegates uninstructed, allowing them to caucus at Conference to decide how the church’s votes will be cast.

Whenever we have an issue come before us that requires a “vote by church”, it is a very important topic of discussion. It is imperative that your church discuss the pros and cons of this subject matter when you receive the materials and always remember to pray before voting. This is not a matter that should be dealt with in haste. Rather, it should be one that is given the utmost attention to the detail and background.

God Bless you all as you work on issues that we all have opinions on. May your discussions be fruitful, respectful and insightful! I pray that our work together is not divisive and our unity will become stronger.

Year End Tax Information

You've seen some of this information before but here's another reminder.

Have a Blessed Christmas!
Morgan

Recent Tax Law Changes May Affect People Giving to Charity:
IRS Offers Tips for Year-End Donations

WASHINGTON — Individuals and businesses making contributions to charity should keep in mind several important tax law changes made last summer by the Pension Protection Act.

The new law offers older owners of individual retirement accounts a new way to give to charity. It also includes rules designed to provide both taxpayers and the government greater certainty in determining what may be deducted as a charitable contribution. Some of these changes include the following.

New Tax Break for IRA Owners

An IRA owner, age 70 ½ or over, can directly transfer tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to an eligible charitable organization. This option is available in tax years 2006 and 2007. Eligible IRA owners can take advantage of this provision, regardless of whether they itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans are not eligible.

To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to the eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the amount given to the charity.

Not all charities are eligible under this provision. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients.

Transferred amounts are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution rules. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats transferred amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions.

Rules for Clothing and Household Items

To be deductible, clothing and household items donated to charity after Aug. 17, 2006, must be in good used condition or better. However, a taxpayer may claim a deduction of more than $500 for any single item, regardless of its condition, if the taxpayer includes a qualified appraisal of the item with the return. Household items include furniture, furnishings, electronics, appliances, and linens.

Guidelines for Monetary Donations

To deduct any charitable donation of money, a taxpayer must have a bank record or a written communication from the charity showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution. A bank record includes canceled checks, bank or credit union statements and credit card statements. Bank or credit union statements should show the name of the charity and the date and amount paid. Credit card statements should show the name of the charity and the transaction posting date.

Donations of money include those made in cash or by check, electronic funds transfer, credit card, and payroll deduction. For payroll deductions, the taxpayer should retain a pay stub, Form W-2 wage statement or other document furnished by the employer showing the total amount withheld for charity, along with the pledge card showing the name of the charity.

Prior law allowed taxpayers to back up their donations of money with personal bank registers, diaries or notes made around the time of the donation. Those types of records are no longer sufficient.

This provision applies to contributions made in taxable years beginning after Aug. 17, 2006. For taxpayers that file returns on a calendar-year basis, including most individuals, the new provision applies to contributions made beginning in 2007.

The new law does not change the prior-law requirement that a taxpayer get an acknowledgement from a charity for each deductible donation (either money or property) of $250 or more. However, one statement containing all of the required information may meet the requirements of both provisions.

To help taxpayers plan their holiday-season and year-end donations, the IRS offers the following additional reminders:

Contributions are deductible in the year made. Thus, donations charged to a credit card before the end of the year count for 2006. This is true even if the credit-card bill isn’t paid until next year. Also, checks count for 2006 as long as they are mailed this year.
Check that the organization is qualified. Only donations to qualified organizations are tax-deductible. IRS Publication 78, available online and at many public libraries, lists most organizations that are qualified to receive deductible contributions. The searchable online version can be found on IRS.gov under, “Search for Charities.” In addition, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations, even though they often are not listed in Publication 78.
For individuals, only taxpayers who itemize their deductions on Schedule A can claim a deduction for charitable contributions. This deduction is not available to people who choose the standard deduction, including anyone who files a short form (1040A or 1040EZ). A taxpayer will have a tax savings only if the total itemized deductions (mortgage interest, charitable contributions, state and local taxes, etc.) exceeds the standard deduction. Use the 2006 Schedule A, available now on IRS.gov, to determine whether itemizing is better than claiming the standard deduction.
For all donations of property, including clothing and household items, get from the charity, if possible, a receipt that includes a description of the donated property. If a donation is left at a charity’s unattended drop site, keep a written record of the donation that includes a description of the property and its condition.
The deduction for a motor vehicle, boat or airplane donated to charity is usually limited to the gross proceeds from its sale. This rule applies if the claimed value of the vehicle is more than $500. Form 1098-C, or a similar statement, must be provided to the donor by the organization and attached to the donor’s tax return. See IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, for more information.
Links:

Search for Charities
Publication 526 , Charitable Contributions
Schedule A, Schedule A Instructions
Form 1098-C, Form 1098-C Instructions

(Source: IRS Newswire December 14, 2006 Issue Number: IR-2006-192)

The thing about typos

'Webcomic pioneer' Randy K. Milholland once said:
"Typos are very important to all written form. It gives the reader something to look for so they aren't distracted by the total lack of content in your writing."


Or it could be all the snow and cold in Wisconsin. Sorry, Morgan.
By the way, Lord knows [hint] you'll find a typo in the December Kevin's Korner.
It happins. :}

Kevin

Memorial Fund Quarterly Meeting - Washington DC

Disclaimer - After posting this BLOG the Editor of the Sabbath Recorder informed me of several typos in my post. In writing the BLOG I reverted to my "southern" influences and let slip a "BaBtist" and then added a "d" on advance for good measure. This in no way reflects on the Trustees of the Memorial Board. Needless to say I will be watching Kevin's writings for future errors.

"I ain't purfect and I ain't wanna be purfect"

The Trustees of the Seventh Day Baptist Memorial Fund will be holding their upcoming Quarterly meeting Jan 27-28, 2007 at the Washington DC Seventh Day Babtist Church. Reports for past grants and requests for grants and or loans need to be received at the SDB Center by 19 Jan 2007 in order to be considered by the Trustees. Thanks in advanced.

Morgan Shepard
Financial Director
SDB Memorial Fund

2006 IRS Tax Filing Information

RALs Removed on Free File; 93 Million Eligible for Program

WASHINGTON — The successful and innovative Free File program launches its fifth year in January with an agreement by private sector partners to remove ancillary offerings such as Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) from the program.

Free File is a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service and the Free File Alliance, a coalition of tax preparation software manufacturers who make their software products available to eligible taxpayers for free and provide free Federal return electronic filing. The Free File software products are the same as their commercial products.

For 2007, taxpayers who earn $52,000 or less will be able to find a Free File offer for which they are eligible. This means 70 percent of all taxpayers – 93 million people – will be eligible for Free File.

“We heard many legitimate concerns about the marketing of ancillary products during the last filing season,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “This is a constructive step.”

Free File Alliance Executive Director Tim Hugo said: "Each year, the Free File Alliance has sought to improve a program that is now eligible to over 93 million Americans. Today, with the voluntary elimination of RAL's and ancillary products, the Free File Alliance takes another giant leap forward on behalf of the taxpaying public."

More than 15.4 million tax returns have been prepared and submitted through Free File since it debuted during the 2003 filing season. Preparation and e-filing of federal tax returns have been free since the inception of Free File. However, manufacturers have offered refund anticipation loans and other products for which they charge a fee. RALs use a taxpayer’s refund as collateral for a same-day, interest-charging loan.

Taxpayers must enter Free File through the IRS Web site. The Free File Alliance may still offer customers the option of having their state tax return prepared for a fee. Some Alliance members are offering the state return for free as well.

Some alliance members also will provide free access to Form 1040EZ-T for those people who have no legal obligation to file a tax return but who can request the one-time telephone excise tax refund. In addition, taxpayers can use Free File to file a Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File. Some alliance members offer their Free File software in Spanish.

The latest agreement to remove ancillary product offers improves on an already solid foundation for the Free File program. Earlier this year, taxpayers responding to a survey reported an overwhelming level of satisfaction with the program.

According to the survey, 94 percent said they intend to use Free File again next year, 94 percent said they found Free File very easy or somewhat easy to use and 97 percent said they would recommend Free File to others. Convenience, not the free cost, was the most appealing factor of Free File.

Only 6 percent of the Free File users purchased an ancillary product from a software provider, but half of those said that their purchase was not intended. Also, IRS’ own data reveals that only 0.5 percent of the Free File users requested a refund anticipation loan (RAL).

Russell Research, a market research firm contracted by the IRS, conducted a telephone survey of 1,800 taxpayers who used Free File during 2006. The poll was conducted during May and June of this year. The typical Free File user was a 40-year-old woman (57 percent female/43 percent male) who prepared both federal and state tax returns with Free File and had used Free File the previous tax year.

“This survey confirms what we’ve known anecdotally for four years: taxpayers like Free File. This level of public satisfaction with Free File is just astounding,” Everson said. “This innovative program combines the best of the private and public sectors to provide real value to the taxpayers. With this latest agreement, we’ve made a great program even better.”

Source: IRS Newswire December 5, 2006 Issue Number: IR-2006-187

Charitable Deduction Guidelines

New Guidelines for Payroll Deduction Contributions to Charities

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today new guidelines for taxpayers to follow to substantiate donations to charities that were made by payroll deductions.

"This makes it easier for businesses and individuals to support worthwhile charities without fear of losing the deduction," said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson.

Notice 2006-110 explains how a taxpayer who makes charitable contributions by payroll deductions can meet the new recordkeeping requirements. The taxpayer should retain a pay stub, Form W-2, or other document furnished by the employer that shows the total amount withheld for payment to charity, along with the pledge card that shows the name of the charity.

The recently enacted Pension Protection Act of 2006 changed the recordkeeping requirements for taxpayers claiming deductions for cash contributions to charities, including contributions made by payroll deductions. For calendar year taxpayers, the new rules apply to contributions made beginning in 2007.

For federal workers, the notice specifically provides that a pledge card with the name of a Combined Federal Campaign will meet the new requirements.

Notice 2006-110 will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2006-51 on Dec. 18, 2006, and is available on IRS.gov.

IRS Newswire December 1, 2006 Issue Number: IR-2006-186

SNOW DAY!!

Winter has arrived to Janesville! We woke up this morning to 6-9" of snow! Lots of drifting as well. Needless to say it will be a quiet day here at the SDB Center. If you call and we are not here please call back Monday and we should be dug out by then.

Have a great Sabbath and weekend!

Morgan