PAYROLL FOR CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES

Easy-to-use payroll and HR software for religious organizations

Focus on growing your ministry while we help simplify your back office. Our full-service software makes it easy to run payroll, streamline HR, and stay compliant. We even handle all of your tax filings and payments for you – and it’s only $40 a month, plus $6 per worker.

 

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  1. OnPay
  2. Payroll Software
  3. Industries
  4. Churches Ministries

INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

Built for churches and ministries with clergy tax considerations

Our award-winning software processes payroll in minutes, automates all tax deductions for non-clergy employees, and lets you easily mark clergy members exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA). And with OnPay’s accuracy guarantee, you can be confident in the calculations so the focus stays on your congregation.

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FULL-SERVICE PAYROLL

Run payroll in minutes

  • Automated tax filings and payments – backed by our accuracy guarantee
  • Unlimited monthly pay runs and pay schedules
  • Free account setup and migration included
  • Expert customer support by phone, chat, or email
  • Flexible permissions to delegate payroll duties to church administrators

OTHER FEATURES

HR and benefits you can have faith in.

Employee self-service

Save time by letting new hires onboard themselves. It's easy to update personal details, view pay stubs, and access important tax documents at any time through the employee portal.

Secure document storage

Avoid paper cuts and stay organized with our secure document vault. All documents and messages sent through OnPay are automatically saved and stored for lifetime reference.

Top-notch benefits plans

Safeguard your church staff with benefits they’ll love like 401(k), health insurance, and more. It all syncs seamlessly with your payroll, and we’ll handle all the calculations.

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TOP-RATED

Loved by churches and ministries

“OnPay is very simple and the customer support is very good. They’ll help you in any way they can to make it easy for you. The price is reasonable and definitely worth it. And you don’t have to worry about taxes being paid, they handle all that for you. Try it, believe me you can’t go wrong.”

 

– God’s Glory Non Denomination Corp

PRICING

$40 + $6 per active employee

Transparent pricing – with no hidden fees.

  • One simple monthly rate for everything
  • No fees for direct deposit or debit card payments
  • Award-winning support from payroll pros
  • Deep software integrations with top accounting and time-tracking software
  • Keep employment records organized across all church locations

LET’S DO THIS

Try the best payroll for churches and ministries

Try OnPay out yourself to see how easy payroll and HR can be. To get started, just share a few basic details about your business. Our team of pros will set everything up and import your employees’ information for you.

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Payroll software FAQs for religious organizations

  • How much does it cost for me to run payroll for my church, ministry or religious organization?

    It’s a single monthly fee of $40 plus $6 per worker for everything OnPay does. No pricing tiers or sneaky add-ons.

  • Are churches responsible for paying payroll taxes?

    Yes! Though churches are generally tax-exempt, they’re still responsible to withhold, report, and pay tax obligations for all employees working non-clergy roles. This includes taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), federal and state income taxes, as well as any local taxes that apply. It is a good idea to consult your tax advisor or bookkeeper if you are unsure of your tax obligations.

  • How are payroll taxes handled with clergy members?

    It’s common for clergy such as ministers and priests to receive a Form W-2 for work they have completed in service of a ministry, even though they have no Social security or Medicare taxes withheld. This is because clergy must pay into social security and Medicare by filing Schedule SE (Form 1040), which is for Self-Employment Tax. If you have any questions about clergy obligations or what your church or religious organization is responsible for, it is always a good idea to seek the advice of a tax professional or a CPA.

  • Do churches have to file Form 941?

    Yes, churches, ministries, and other religious organizations that have employees are typically required to file Form 941 with the federal government on a quarterly basis to report paycheck withholdings for employee income taxes, as well as any Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from non-clergy employee wages. If you are unsure of your obligations, it is a good idea to seek consultation from your tax professional or bookkeeper.

  • Do religious organizations typically file Form 940?

    Generally, churches, religious organizations, and ministries will file Form 940 annually when paying wages of $1,500 or more in any quarter of a calendar year, or if they had one or more employees working for 20 or more different weeks. It is always a good idea to seek guidance from a tax expert, lawyer, or CPA for answers to any tax questions or for clarity on your obligations.

  • Are religious organizations such as churches exempt from FICA?

    Under certain conditions, churches and or ministries may be exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare taxes (both of which make up FICA). For example, a religious organization may file IRS Form 8274 to request an exemption from paying the employer’s share of Social Security and Medicare taxes, which the IRS may approve or decline. Though our team does not assist with this form, it’s likely an accountant, CPA or legal professional can help steer you in the right direction.