How to Pay LDS Tithing Online Using Bill Pay

Paying tithing is an important principle for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Traditionally, members would pay their tithing by filling out a tithing slip and handing cash or a check to their bishop or branch president. However, in recent years, the Church has made it easier for members to pay their tithing online. One of the options for paying tithing online is through bill pay.

What is Bill Pay?

Bill pay is a service offered by most banks that allows you to pay bills directly from your bank account With bill pay, you can set up payees and schedule recurring or one-time payments to be sent automatically Many banks offer bill pay for free as part of their online banking services.

To use bill pay for LDS tithing, you would need to set up The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a payee in your bank’s bill pay system. You would then enter the tithing amount and any other donations you want to give. The bank will withdraw the funds from your account and send a check or electronic payment to the Church.

Advantages of Paying Tithing through Bill Pay

Using bill pay to send your tithing and other donations has several benefits:

• Convenience: With bill pay, you can schedule payments to be sent automatically on a recurring basis. This saves you the trouble of having to remember to write a check or make an online payment each month.

• Record keeping: Most bill pay services allow you to view and print your payment history. This can make it easy to track your donations for tax purposes.

• Control over timing: You can pick the exact date you want payments to be sent. This allows you to time payments for when you know you’ll have sufficient funds in your account.

• Accountability: Seeing the payment deducted from your bank account can provide a sense of accountability. You can ensure you’re paying a full tithe as you see the funds leave your account.

• No checks or cash: Electronic payments mean you don’t have to worry about writing checks or having cash on hand to pay tithing.

How to Set Up Bill Pay for LDS Tithing

The process for setting up bill pay can vary slightly between banks, but generally involves the following steps:

1. Log in to your bank’s online banking site and access the bill pay section. Look for options like “Pay Bills” or “Bill Pay.”

2. Click on a link to add a new payee. Search for “Church of Jesus Christ” as the payee name.

3. Enter the Church’s headquarters address: 50 E N Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84150.

4. Input your member record number or name in the account number field.

5. Select the frequency for payments, such as monthly.

6. Enter the amount for tithing, fast offerings, etc. Schedule when payments should be sent.

7. Review and submit the payment setup.

Once the payee is established, future payments just require logging in and adjusting any amounts or dates. Some banks also allow establish recurring payments so the amounts are automatically sent each month.

Tips for Paying LDS Tithing with Bill Pay

• Schedule payments at least 5 business days before tithing settlement to ensure funds arrive in time.

• Avoid sending a payment on the 31st to prevent issues with shorter months. Stick to the same date each month, like the 15th.

• Print or save payment confirmations for your records.

• If desired, increase the payment amount periodically to cover the “interest annually” portion of the tithe definition.

• Contact your ward clerk if you don’t see your bill pay donations on your statement at tithing settlement.

• Use bill pay as a backup if you miss entering a donation online.

• Split donations into multiple payments if needed to work within account limits.

Questions About Paying Tithing Through Bill Pay

Many members have questions when getting started with paying tithing through bill pay. Here are answers to some common questions:

Is paying tithing through bill pay accepted by the Church?

Yes, the Church sees no difference between electronic donations sent through bill pay vs the online donations system. Both count as paying an honest tithe.

How do I allocate the money between tithing and other funds?

Unfortunately most bill pay systems only allow designating a total payment amount, not breaking it down into separate donation categories. You’ll simply need to indicate the full amount you wish to donate. Your ward clerk can assist with allocating it appropriately.

What if I make a mistake or need to cancel a payment?

Contact your bank immediately if you need to cancel a pending bill payment. Payments already sent will need to be adjusted with your donation records by your ward clerk.

Is there a fee for bill pay?

Most banks offer free bill pay. But some may charge a monthly fee if you don’t meet certain balance or transaction minimums. Check with your financial institution.

What if I switch wards?

Simply update the member record number associated with the payment to your new ward. Or you can continue donating to your old ward if preferred.

Can I pay towards missionary or humanitarian aid funds?

Unfortunately most bill pay systems can only handle a single payment amount. Your tithing and donations will go into the general funds of the Church.

Paying LDS tithing through your bank’s bill pay system can be a convenient option for members. Setting up recurring payments ensures you continue to live a tithe-paying life. Just ensure your ward has your bill pay donations recorded appropriately. And take advantage of being able to track your payments for taxes or personal records. Bill pay helps simplify the process of paying tithing for today’s cashless world.