Article Archives >> To the Point
Our church is selling its church building and grounds. Can the proceeds be kept and the church continue to operate out of someone's home? What about the interest that the proceeds would earn while in the bank? We will have about $2 million in proceeds.
Assuming that the church is a stand-alone organization and not part of a hierarchical system, unless there is some unusual provision in the deed to the church real estate, it is probable that the church can sell its building and keep the proceeds as liquid assets, to be held, of course, for the benefit of the church. I don’t see any fundamental reason why the church could not operate out of someone’s home, although there may be local zoning restrictions and if you were fully utilizing a $2 million property it may be somewhat impractical.
The church may invest the proceeds and pay not tax on the income. Investment income is considered passive income and not included in the definition of unrelated business taxable income. (See Ready Reference Page: “Nonprofits Often Worry About UBIT.”)
April 17, 2009
Article Archives >> To the Point
An Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector: A Practical Approach for the 21st Century
By Gary M. Grobman |
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