In this episode of The Church Law Podcast, Erika Cole, The Church Attorney®, dives into the vital topic of maintaining your church’s tax-exempt status. With over 25 years of experience guiding ministries of all sizes, Erika unpacks what tax exemption really means, the top five ways churches unknowingly put their status at risk, and real-life cautionary tales from churches that lost theirs. Learn how to avoid IRS scrutiny, protect your ministry’s financial future, and lead with legal confidence. 

SHOW NOTES 

Join the Faithful Foundations Membership today! 2025 Faithful Foundations Membership enrollment 

The Church Attorney’s Guide to 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status, How to Obtain, Maintain and Protect Your Church’s Tax-Exempt Status 

Tax Exempt Organization Search bulk data downloads (Publication 78) 

Case of first church tax-exempt status revocation based on engagement in political activity 

Church Law & Tax article: Understanding the Consequences for Losing Tax Exemption for Churches 

Download your FREE copy of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System document checklist here, and check out Episode 29 (“Using a Legal Audit to Position Your Church for the Long Haul”) to learn about the importance of a legal audit for your church. 

Unlock exclusive insights and expert advice by subscribing to The Church Attorney® YouTube Channel! Get access to video podcasts, live recordings, and much more—designed to help you navigate the legal landscape of church management with confidence. Don’t miss out—subscribe today! 

Questions? Comments? We welcome them! Please contact Erika Cole at erikacole.com. Erika reads each comment and may answer your question in an upcoming episode. 

See all episodes of Church Law. 

The Church Law podcast is part of Gloo LLC’s ChurchLawAndTax.com. 

Erika E. Cole, Esq., known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that helps church leaders be confident they are operating with integrity, and avoiding costly risks. Learn more at erikacole.com.