Reimbursing the ward

rexgj · #1

I had a woman hand me a check, written out to the ward. It was a reimbursement for a youth activity. They bought too many tickets, so she bought the extra tickets, and wanted to return that money to the ward YM/YW combined account.

The problem I ran into was it appears to me that 1) we need a donation slip filled out, 2) that makes her the donor, 3) but she's really just returning ward funds that were not used (in a round about way), 4) it really isn't a donation from her.

So how should this be handled? Can it be done? It probably isn't a huge deal that she be given credit for a $30 donation, except it isn't a donation, it's a return of funds.

Any suggestions?

aebrown · #2

rexgj wrote:I had a woman hand me a check, written out to the ward. It was a reimbursement for a youth activity. They bought too many tickets, so she bought the extra tickets, and wanted to return that money to the ward YM/YW combined account.

The problem I ran into was it appears to me that 1) we need a donation slip filled out, 2) that makes her the donor, 3) but she's really just returning ward funds that were not used (in a round about way), 4) it really isn't a donation from her.

So how should this be handled? Can it be done? It probably isn't a huge deal that she be given credit for a $30 donation, except it isn't a donation, it's a return of funds.

According to the instructions, she would simply write "Budget Return" on a regular donation slip on the "Other" line. The funds are deposited in the appropriate Budget subcategory.

There is no problem with it being credited as a donation. Just like the Other category, "donations" from a member to the Budget category are not considered as charitable contributions, and will not appear on the Official Tax Statement.

See slide 23 of the Handling Church Expenses lesson, which says:

If there are leftover funds, the member should place the money in a donation envelope, write “Budget Return” in the “Other” category on the slip, and give the envelope to a member of the bishopric.

rexgj · #3

Thanks. That is what I did, I was bothered, I guess by this appearing to be a donation, when it really wasn't. But the "other" explanation explains that. Thanks again.