Donations for Minors

Is there a way to make online tithing payments for a minor? I keep all their money in my checking account and keep track of it in my budget. I would like to pay online rather than write three separate checks for my children's tithing. Is there a way to do that?

Thanks!

Question 18 in the Online Donations FAQ indicates the minimum age for online donations is 13. For those 13 or over, you'd have to setup an LDS Account for them and donate using their LDS Account.

That's an interesting question – are you able to tie a single checking account to more than one LDS Account for donations?

sbradshaw wrote:That's an interesting question – are you able to tie a single checking account to more than one LDS Account for donations?

Yes. My wife and I both have our joint checking account associated with our individual LDS Accounts.

Crocken wrote:Is there a way to make online tithing payments for a minor? I keep all their money in my checking account and keep track of it in my budget. I would like to pay online rather than write three separate checks for my children's tithing. Is there a way to do that?

Thanks!

If you children aren't 13 yet then as noted, you'll have to stick with checks.

That being said, there's no need to write 3 separate checks. You just need to use 3 different donation slips in an envelope with a single check. Your clerk will be able to enter the donation correctly.

In answer to the original question, there's no way to make online payments in behalf of another person. You'd have to login as them - which is generally discouraged for security reasons.

Thanks. I wrote one check with three donation slips and got a call from the clerk telling me I can't do that. I had done it one previous time and didn't get a call.

Have him look for the "Add slip" button on the donation entry screen.

It would be nice if parents were allowed to to make donations on behalf of our minor children. It shouldn't be too difficult to pull a list of children from a household under 13 years old, and allow online donations to be made in their behalf so that they show up on their own statements. For now I'll have to make the donation and then ask the clerk to manually transfer it to my children?

preston.baxter wrote:For now I'll have to make the donation and then ask the clerk to manually transfer it to my children?

There's still the gray envelope that you give to a bishopric member.

That would require me finding currency or coins (I think we might have a jar around here somewhere, or perhaps I should check the couch cushions) or paper checks (haven't seen those around the house for a number of years now).

preston.baxter wrote:That would require me finding currency or coins (I think we might have a jar around here somewhere, or perhaps I should check the couch cushions) or paper checks (haven't seen those around the house for a number of years now).

It seems like it could be a good experience for the children themselves to find the currency or coins, fill out the donation slip, put it all in an envelope, and hand it to a member of the bishopric. That way they learn important lessons about tithing by actually doing.

It's also good experience for kids to learn cursive or diagram sentences on a chalkboard or mend a wagon wheel, but not all historical practices necessarily have application today. My preference would be for members of any age to be allowed to pay tithing online. Anyone can hunt down and use a gray envelope from church history, but only some members can use the tools of 2017?

preston.baxter wrote:but only some members can use the tools of 2017?

There are various laws that govern on-line accounts by children. That's probably where the limitation comes from. Having parents do it does seem to circumvent having the child actually involved.

How do your children handle their money now? Do they only use plastic?

Either way, there is no one here who can make those kinds of decisions. You can use feedback on the main lds.org page, but I wouldn't expect things to change.

In our family, when the kids get money (birthdays, holidays, allowance, whatever) we immediately deposit it to the bank. I help them track how much is in their savings account by showing them their balances on the bank website. When they want to buy something, they know that I go with them to the store, we make the purchase on my debit card, and then we move that money from their account into mine. We do exactly the same thing with Tithing, except that I have to submit it for them and it shows up on my statement. I feel bad about making the financial clerk transfer $1 just so it will show up correctly, so we typically just don't bother with that accounting issue. They know Tithing was paid, and so far the IRS hasn't audited me for claiming an extra $5 in donations that actually belongs to my kids.

When the bank allows, they DO get and use a debit card for their own checking account. I teach them about budgeting, bank reconciliations and statements using regular online banking tools. Until they are 18, all the accounts are set up with me as a joint owner so I can monitor their spending, and part of our regular PPI includes checking statements and reconciling.

preston.baxter wrote:paper checks (haven't seen those around the house for a number of years now).

If you have a bill pay service you can setup of a payer under the name of the ward but with your address. The bank should send you a check made out to the ward which you (or you child) can then give to the bishopric. Not as convenient as online donations but probably workable given the current options we have.

My son would like to pay his Tithing, but due to the Corovavirus we are in quarantine and there are no Church services being held. I would like to have the option of paying tithing for my son who is 10 when he gives me money. Is there a way to do this?

greenlanternmcd wrote: Is there a way to do this?

Not currently. For this situation you will have to wait until he can use the paper donation slip.

Given COVID-19 pandemic, it would be better if there were another solution. We're trying to do as much online as possible, to reduce complexity for our bishopric and clerks.

scottporter wrote:Given COVID-19 pandemic, it would be better if there were another solution. We're trying to do as much online as possible, to reduce complexity for our bishopric and clerks.

This is understandable, but there are often legal requirements that come into play with children sending money electronically. It may be something the church cannot allow and still stay within the law. Are your children able to make purchases from an online store using their bank account without parental intervention? I suspect not.

We can discuss it in this user-to-user mutual support forum, but that will not get your question to those who make the decisions to allow or not allow children to donate electronically. You can provide feedback from any church web page or ask your Stake President to raise your question in his coordinating council with the general authorities.

Even in the pandemic or other restrictions, there are options if we are willing to be flexible. You can ask your bishop for his suggestions. There are stories in church history where members saved their tithing until they could give it to the Lord's representative and I'm sure they received every blessing because the situation was out of their control and they were doing their best in their circumstances.

I would also like a way for my 9 & 11yr old children to pay online. Our ward is encouraging everyone to pay online right now due to the coronavirus. I didn't realize that's not possible for people younger than 13.

Could the church set up a way for the parent to send in funds for their minor's tithing? My boys are worried they told the bishop they would have their tithing paid by the end of 2020, but now they can't pay online.

ballam wrote:Could the church set up a way for the parent to send in funds for their minor's tithing?

This is primarily a user-to-user forum. The decision makers who could make this happen (assuming that the legal department would allow it) don't visit here.

There is the ability to attach a note to a donation. It's unclear if that note is visible to the clerk or bishop.

ballam wrote:My boys are worried they told the bishop they would have their tithing paid by the end of 2020, but now they can't pay online.

I think this is a good learning opportunity. Either they need to come up with something else, or have them report back to the bishop that on-line tithing isn't an option for them due to their age.

Assuming that you have any kind of in-person meetings, "little gray envelopes" are still an option. They could even be mailed to the bishop's home.

russellhltn wrote:There is the ability to attach a note to a donation. It's unclear if that note is visible to the clerk or bishop.

It is my understanding that any note entered appears only on the online donation slip and is not visible to the clerk or bishop. The clerk only sees the donation amounts that are recorded on the Church records. He does not get a copy of an online donation slip..

Still, I think the amount would be a tip-off that something's going on.