Official Tax Document

[Jester_ag]

I have talked to several different people, is there an *official* statement on if the Bishop is required to sign all the tax papers before they are handed out?

"Annual Charitable Cash Contributions"

There is a signature line, but is it required? if so that could be very time consuming for the bishop.

[jdlessley]

There is a signature line, but is it required?

The Church follows the guidelines of taxing authorities. In the U.S. the IRS states "a donor must have a bank record or written communication from a charity for any monetary contribution before the donor can claim a charitable contribution on his/her federal income tax return." (see the IRS's Written Record of Charitable Contribution and IRS publication 1771) The Church ensures each member has "written communication". Written communication must include a signature from an authorized representative of the charity. Bishops and branch presidents are authorized representatives of the Church for this purpose.

The Church uses the term "tax valid statement" in guidance for tithing settlement. A tax valid statement must include the signature of an authorized representative of the Church. Without the signature the statement is not a tax valid statement, a legal document, for the purpose of written communication.