His Voice Newsletter 4/20

 

An Encouraging Word from His Voice Global

In this video, His Voice Global Co-Founder Vernon Burger provides some encouragement from God’s Word, the only true source of real comfort and purpose.

 

Kenya Update

Would you consider helping us financially with needs in Kenya? We need additional donations now to help us make up a budget shortfall while providing for additional expenses for food and caretaker time during the crisis created by the Coronavirus. Your contribution will make a real difference for the boys and girls as they quarantine. www.hisvoiceglobal.com/give

 

Uganda Update

The Ward family was taking some vacation time in South Africa when the pandemic made their return to Uganda impossible. Through the generosity of some friends in South Africa, they were able to stay there until ultimately making the decision to return to Houston with the help of the U.S. Embassy. They are anxious to return to their ministry in Arua, Uganda, as is the Elkins family, who were already in the U.S. when travel back to Uganda became difficult. 

That leaves the Harper family and fellow His Voice worker Asiki Emmanuel in Arua to care for the college-aged students and their own family as they quarantine. One reason the Harper’s have been able to stay on the field so faithfully for many years is because of God’s provision of teachers for their children. Watch this video to learn about their need for teachers and contact Wendy Harper if you know someone interested in joining them in Arua.

 

Tax Benefits of the CARES Act

The new CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act is designed to help you, businesses and nonprofits facing economic hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.

Here are a few key provisions of the CARES Act that may affect you and your charitable goals:


New Tax Incentives

The CARES Act expands charitable giving incentives and allows taxpayers who take the standard deduction to make up to $300 of charitable contributions to qualified charities this year. You might think this is a small amount and would not make a difference. But what if all of our donors gave “just” $300? Such support would have a huge impact on those we serve.

For those who itemize their deductions, the new law allows for cash contributions to qualified charities to be deducted up to 100% of your adjusted gross income for the 2020 calendar year. 

Required Minimum Distributions Suspended

The new law temporarily suspends the requirements for required minimum distributions (RMD) for the 2020 tax year. This probably comes as a relief to many of you who would have had to withdraw from your retirement accounts. Many donors use their RMD to make a gift from their IRA. Despite the RMD suspension, remember that if you are 70 ½ or older, you can still make a gift from your IRA or name a nonprofit as a beneficiary.

Why a Gift from Your IRA May Still Be a Good Idea

  • Your gift will be put to use today, allowing you to see the difference your donation is making

  • You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions.

  • Since the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level. This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.