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Expense Category | Summary of Allowable Costs | Key Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Mobile Phone Device | $1,000 max limit to purchase a phone Only eligible once every two years Recoverable as 75% nontaxable Reimbursement and 25% taxable ERB (*International workers see International Worker Expenses for sat phone) |
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Apps | One-time purchases and subscriptions for apps directly relevant to field workers' job responsibilities are allowed. |
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Computers & Computer Equipment | Computers (desktop/laptop/tablet), computer equipment (e.g., monitors, printers, hard drives), and warranties, to the extent they are required to perform ministry responsibilities. Each type of item above is only eligible once every three years 75% nontaxable Reimbursement and 25% taxable ERB. |
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Software | One-time outright purchases of software: Recoverable as 75% nontaxable Reimbursement and 25% taxable ERB. Only eligible once every three years per software type Monthly Software subscriptions are 100% nontaxable (*International workers see International Worker Expenses for VPN) |
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Equipment | Sound/lighting/projection equipment, musical instruments, and other types of equipment, to the extent they are required to perform ministry responsibilities. Recoverable as 75% nontaxable Reimbursement and 25% taxable ERB.
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Website Hosting & Email Distribution | Website hosting services or email distribution services that are directly related to the worker's ministry role |
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Media Downloads | Media downloads such as books, digital photos, graphics, etc., and other resources required for ministry-role. |
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Expense Category | Summary of Allowable Costs | Key Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hotel/Lodging | Up to $250/night for ministry trips |
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Flight | Airfare Baggage Seat upgrade, if needed TSA pre-check or CLEAR |
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Rental Car/Borrowed Car |
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Mileage/Carpooling | Mileage for necessary ministry-related trips in excess of 50 miles each way (less than 50 are included in the support goal bonus). (*International workers see International Worker Expenses) |
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Parking & Tolls | Parking costs of more than $10 when conducting ministry work in a location that is not the local place of work. Parking costs incurred during travel (airport parking costs, hotel or conference center parking, etc.) Parking permits at the primary place of ministry can be recovered through an ERB. Tolls when traveling on a ministry trip are reimbursable. |
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Other Transportation | Taxi, bus, rideshare, train, water transportation, etc., when traveling on a ministry trip | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Covid Testing | Mandated testing for COVID in order to travel | Only testing not covered by Reliant's health plan can be reimbursed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Visa and Passport | Mandatory fees paid to regulatory agencies and governing bodies (*International workers see International Worker Expenses)
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Vaccinations and Immunizations (short-term international trips) | Vaccinations and immunizations required for international travel (taxable ERB) (*International workers see International Worker Expenses) Certain medications required for international short-term travel related to mission trips are reimbursable |
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Meals During Travel | Meals during ministry trips |
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Internet Access During Travel | Charges for internet and email fees while traveling for ministry purposes. (*International workers see International Worker Expenses) |
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Weddings and Funerals | If the criteria (under Key Details) for the wedding/funeral are met, then airfare, mileage, lodging, rental cars, meals, and other travel-related expenses, etc., can be reimbursed. |
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Conferences and Event Fees | As a general rule, most conferences, retreats, and events are reimbursable as long as the field workers substantiate why attendance at the event was necessary for their current ministry role. |
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Mission and Outreach Trips | The fee(s) for the Mission and Outreach Trip are reimbursable. |
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Spiritual and Ministry Planning Retreats | Spiritual and Ministry Planning Retreats are intended to be dedicated, focused, and intentional times of immersion in the Word, prayer, and/or ministry preparation. Costs associated with the retreats may be reimbursed with pre-approval on a Personal Development Plan. |
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Event Facility Rental | For rental facilities related to events: Room rental for an event, park shelter rental, etc. (Typically reimbursed through a project fund.) |
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Expense Category | Summary of Allowable Costs | Key Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Furniture (ministry gathering/small and large groups) | To the extent the furniture is required to perform ministry responsibilities, recoverable as 75% nontaxable Reimbursement and 25% taxable ERB. |
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Meals/Groceries (not associated with travel)
| Meals for ministry contacts, donors, and group events Groceries for prepared meals for ministry purposes One-time special event/celebration meals with co-workers that are out of the ordinary can be submitted through reimbursement Dormitory Meal Plan Passes, when used exclusively for conducting ministry per Reliant worker role (for example on a college campus), can be reimbursed at a max of $480 for a semester pass. |
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Books | Books that are ministry-related (they do not need to be religious in nature). |
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Continuing education courses Course-related books Associated Fees Some other continuing education-related expenses can also be recovered through an Expense Recovery Bonus, such as school-required health checks and immunizations and related travel costs associated with continuing education. |
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Counseling | Counseling is not eligible for reimbursement or ERB. (*International workers see International Worker Expenses) Short-term counseling is available through Reliant's Employee Assitance Program for those enrolled in Reliant's insurance. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gifts
| Gift-giving is sometimes required to further the ministry of Reliant. Gifts purchased must be clearly ministry-related and also help further that specific Reliant ministry. Gifts must have an intended recipient determined at the point of purchase. Gifts may not be purchased more than 30 days before the date they will be given to the intended party. Gifts cannot be personal in nature (such as for a birthday, baby, wedding, graduation, etc.) There is an annual limit for the amount of gift given per person per year. |
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Gift Cards | A gift card given by a Reliant employee to donors may be reimbursed with a valid ministry purpose, but annual limits for giving (see "gifts" above) apply. As a Standard, Reliant does not allow field staff to give gift cards to other field staff (employee or associate). |
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Moving Costs | Moving costs are not reimbursable through expense submission. (*International workers see International Worker Expenses) A moving allowance is available for moving costs incurred while moving from one U.S. ministry location to another U.S. ministry location. |
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Professional Fees | Professional fees paid to companies, agencies, or individuals for services necessary to conduct ministry are reimbursable. Professional fees include coaching designers, photographers, videographers, etc. (*International workers see International Worker Expenses) |
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Phone Calling Card/Prepaid Phone | Phone expenses (unrelated to cell phones or landlines) used for rare situations that require a prepayment or phone card to perform ministry duties. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recreation/Activities | Use discretion when submitting requests for reimbursement of recreation/activity expenses. The recreation/activity needs to have a valid ministry purpose related to the field staff role and must follow the Standard for reasonable, necessary, etc. A recreation/activity for the purpose of general fellowship would not qualify as a clear ministry purpose. Please see the key details for specific expenses that do not qualify for expense submission. |
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Subscriptions and Dues |
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Supplies | Due to the different job responsibilities of Reliant employees, the types of supplies used for ministry purposes are vast and varying. It is the field worker's responsibility to use discretion when purchasing supplies to ensure the items are truly reasonable and necessary for ministry expenses. |
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Tax Consulting | Only those U.S. Reliant employees who are ordained/commissioned ministers are eligible and can only be recovered through an ERB. (*International workers see International Worker Expenses below for more details.) |
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International Worker Expenses
(Relevant Only to International Field Workers)
Expense Category | Summary of Allowable Costs | Key Reminders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bank Fees | Bank Fees incurred by International field workers as they travel back to the US or other countries for ministry purposes. Bank Fees incurred in situations where the safety of a Reliant International worker is a concern or in which local banking options are either not allowable or unadvisable (e.g., due to the secure nature of their ministry role.) |
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Counseling | Counseling is not eligible for reimbursement or ERB. However, there is a counseling bonus available to International workers (See International Expense Allowances) Short-term counseling for International workers is available through Reliant's Employee Assistance Program. In the event of an international crisis, International field workers may qualify to receive crisis counseling for a pre-approved duration paid for by Reliant. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Communication |
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Immigration Fees | Mandatory fees paid to regulatory agencies and governing bodies. All immigration fees and related costs below (such as travel for visa runs) related to family members are taxable and recovered through an ERB.
Reimbursable costs include visa fees and necessary documentation, postage, photos, etc., for ministry-related international travel. Costs recoverable to international field workers through an ERB include: U.S. Passport fees and necessary documentation, postage, photos, etc.
Immigration fees for family Related travel for visa runs, etc., for family members.
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Immunizations, Vaccinations | To the extent not covered by Reliant health plans, pre-field physicals, vaccinations, and immunizations (including oral vaccinations with a prescription) required for international placement or internship can be recovered through an ERB. |
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International Mileage | Mileage for necessary ministry-related trips in excess of 50 miles each way (less than 50 are included in the support goal bonus) is reimbursable. When the cost of operating a motor vehicle in the international field worker's country of ministry exceeds that of the United States, the International field worker may submit ministry-related mileage at a rate that exceeds the United States IRS’s approved mileage reimbursement rate to be recovered through an ERB. |
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Language Classes | Language classes are reimbursable. |
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Legal Fees |
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Moving, Vehicle, Hardship, etc. | There is a specific International Expense Allowance designed to recover personal expenses for International workers that are not eligible for submission on the International Expense Submission Form. |
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Tutoring | Tutoring fees are reimbursable. |
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Translator Fees | Oral translator fees are reimbursable. Written translator fees are typically reimbursable, depending on the nature of the materials. |
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Storage Fees | Reimbursement may be requested for storage costs for personal items stored in the U.S. while the worker serves at an international assignment when connected to an international move. |
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