Richard R. Hammar

Find comprehensive help understanding United States tax laws as they relate to pastors and churches with Richard Hammar's 2023 Church & Clergy Tax Guide. Tax law in general is highly complex and ever changing. Add to that the many unique...

Find comprehensive help understanding United States tax laws as they relate to pastors and churches with Richard Hammar's 2023 Church & Clergy Tax Guide. Tax law in general is highly complex and ever changing. Add to that the many unique...

Have you ever done an internet search on church liability, federal reporting requirements, incorporation, employment laws, negligence, counseling, the legal authority of pastors, or any other legal concern your church is facing only to come up with too...

Let's be honest: Things like board structure, bylaws, elections, membership requirements, minutes, and business meetings will likely never land on your list of “most exciting topics.” Yet as a church leader it’s critical that you have...

For decades, American churches and pastors have operated with uncertainty about how much they can legally engage in political activities. Questions like, "What types of political activities and speech are allowed under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code?"...

Did you know pastors and other church staff may be required by law to report child abuse and that laws on this vary state by state? This resource will guide you through finding how each state defines child abuse, who is required to report abuse,...

In 2020, the US Congress passed—and President Trump signed—two key stimulus deals designed to respond to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. In this PDF download, attorney and senior editor Richard Hammar provides a side-by-side...

Far too many pastors reach retirement age and can’t consider retiring because they do not have enough in retirement savings. Along with paying the pastor an appropriate salary the church should also afford an appropriate retirement package. Get an...

Every ministry, no matter how small, could benefit from maintaining an employee handbook. It defines what you expect from employees and what they can expect from you. If updated regularly, an employee handbook can also offer valuable legal protection...

Though they might seem like harmless fun, social media sites can cause serious liabilities and hardships for the church. This resource aims to help your church enjoy these sites for the valuable social connections they provide by helping you understand...

Though nearly every church has insurance coverage, many church leaders lack confidence in their understanding of their policies and the terminology associated with them. As you gain a better understanding of church insurance, as well as your church's...

The willingness to welcome former sex offenders into a congregation needs to be balanced with proper protocols. This download will walk you through the legal and safety concerns your church should address and offers sample policies to help you integrate...

Whether it's one staff member or hundreds, churches usually must negotiate wages and benefits. With tight budgets, it is sometimes a struggle to set competitive pay rates and provide benefits to employees. Learn about key aspects of compensation planning...

Churches face complex compensation questions every year, making compensation planning an important task for many reasons. Richard Hammar walks through several key legal and tax elements churches need to consider when planning a pastor's compensation.

Discover the best ways to transport people safely. Learn how to select safe drivers. Determine precautions you should take to safely transport children. You will also find out if your church should adopt a cell-phone usage policy when driving, and you'll...