We’re down to the final two weeks of 2019. As the last day of the year approaches, your church may encounter a variety of charitable contributions questions. Take, for instance, this one we received not too long ago: How should our church acknowledge a contribution made from a donor’s retirement account?

We sought an answer from CPA Vonna Laue, one of Church Law & Tax’s long-time editorial advisors. As it turns out, this type of donation happens more often than I realized. It’s called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).

Laue provides a thorough answer to the question in this Q&A for website members—be sure to check it out, since it stands to reason this type of scenario may arise at your church sooner rather than later, if it hasn’t already. (Not a member? Join now.)

And don’t forget: you still have time to provide information and guidance to your church’s donors before the end of the year. Our Charitable Contribution Collection—four downloadable resources related to giving, receipts, and fundraising—offers useful best practices and direction.

Also this week:

• Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7 next month. Churches that still use this operating system should note these risk management concerns.
• Quiz: How well is your church protecting confidential information?
• Advantage Members: Six developments church leaders should watch in 2020. (Not an Advantage Member? Become one here.)

The Lord bless you and keep you,