Opinions on Michael Chitwood of "Clergy Alert"

[Deb]

If anyone has been to one of his "Church Compliance" seminars, read his materials, looked into what he's saying, I would be interested as to your opinion.

[1CatMom]

Yes, I've been to one of his seminars. I would not go again.

The church treasurer and I went to one in January. The speaker was doing a bunch of :yell at the audience and rather than intelligently discuss tax law as it relates to churches and non-profit organizations, there was a lot of :drama in the presentation with all sorts of threats that the IRS will be beating down the door of your church very soon. :tin :rolleyes

Instead of methodically discussing what the church needed to do to be in compliance with tax law, they skipped around in the workbook, getting a lot of people very confused (which I believe is their goal) and then spent the better part of 2 hours in the morning session promoting purchasing their software and materials to keep your church in compliance. :rolleyes :tin

We ended up leaving after the morning session.

If you want in depth information on Church Tax Law, I recommend Richard Hammar. He publishes a yearly Church Law and Tax Report as well as monthly and quarterly newsletters to keep you up to date.

If you want :drama then go to a Michael Chitwood seminar. :rolleyes