2026 Virtual Tax Seminars
Texas Methodist Foundation is offering virtual seminars for clergy participating in the financial management of their local church, led by licensed certified public accountants. The seminars provide updated information for 2026 taxes.
Church Finance & Legal Update Seminar
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
9:00 AM CST – 1:00 PM CST
Credit: Four Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit hours
Speaker: Elaine Sommerville, CPA (Sommerville & Associates, P.C.)
Cost: $60 (Register for both seminars and get a $10 discount.)
Objectives: This session will help you gain specific knowledge about relevant changes to current tax laws and learn more about the basics of general church finance, including how to handle unique issues related to church employees and contractors, reimbursement plans, charitable gifts, tax-deductible contributions, expense reimbursement, financial records, and reporting.
Deadline to Register: February 8, 2026 at midnight
Clergy Tax Seminar
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
9:00 AM CST – 11:00 AM CST
Credit: Two Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit hours
Speaker: Sandra Fowler, CPA, CPP (Sommerville & Associates, P.C.)
Cost: $30 (Register for both seminars and get a $10 discount.)
Objectives: This session will help you gain specific knowledge about relevant changes to current tax laws and learn about payroll issues related to ministers, such as employment status, housing allowances, reimbursable expenses, tax-free benefits, and retirement plans.
Deadline to Register: February 15, 2026 at midnight
Speakers
Payroll Services Manager, Sommerville & Associates, P.C.
Sandra K. Fowler, CPA, CPP
Sandra Fowler is a licensed certified public accountant in Texas. She joined Sommerville & Associates, P.C. in August of 2002. Sandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington. In 2020, Sandra became a Certified Payroll Professional with Payroll Org.
Shareholder, Sommerville & Associates, P.C.
Elaine Sommerville, CPA
Elaine Sommerville is a licensed certified public accountant in Texas. For 35 years, her practice has focused on tax compliance aspects of nonprofit organizations and churches. She is the sole shareholder of the CPA firm of Sommerville & Associates, P.C., located in Arlington, Texas, which provides tax and consulting services to over 300 churches and nonprofit organizations.
Mail checks to:
Texas Methodist Foundation
Attn: Samantha Stanley
11709 Boulder Lane, Suite 100
Austin, TX, 78726