Where does the WTS get their money from?
JWs still consistently donate money to the "Worldwide Work" putting it in a box labeled such at the KH. This money goes directly to the WTS each month from the congregations.
Some congregations build up quite a balance in their individual accounts and the elders may draw up a resolution to send a large chunk to the WTS after a voice vote at the Service Meeting. (Try saying no to that!)
The WTS has large sums of money that it invests and earns interest from.
Some people have the WTS selected as a recipient of some or all of their estate should they die.
Some people loan their money to the WTS to invest for them which earns them a better rate and it is subject to less tax than if they did this themselves. There is a booklet that can be sent to you upon request from the WTS explaining this procedure to your financial planner.
At every circuit assembly and distriction convention, the elders and CO and DO designate a certain lump sum from the donations to be sent to the WTS. Only these men decide; there is no opportunity for the others to vote on this.
Congregations and circuits deposit money with the WTS to be held rather than put it in a bank and the WTS invests it and keeps the interest.
Others give large sums and monthly sums to the WTS because it helps their own personal tax standing in the country they reside in.
Here are some other financial opportunities:
*** w99 11/1 22 When Generosity Abounds ***
Ways
in
Which
Some
Choose
to
GiveCONTRIBUTIONS
TO
THE
WORLDWIDE
WORKMANY set aside, or budget, an amount that they place in the contribution boxes labeled "Contributions for the Societys Worldwide WorkMatthew 24:14." Each month congregations forward these amounts either to the world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, or to the local branch office.
Voluntary donations of money may also be sent directly to the Treasurers Office, Watch
Tower
Bible
and
Tract
Society
of
Pennsylvania,
25
Columbia
Heights,
Brooklyn,
New
York
11201-2483, or to the Societys office that serves your country. Jewelry or other valuables may be donated as well. A brief letter stating that such is an outright gift should accompany these contributions.
CONDITIONAL-DONATION
ARRANGEMENTMoney may be given to the Watch Tower Society under a special arrangement in which, should the donor have a personal need, the donation will be returned to him. For more information, please contact the Treasurers Office at the address noted above.
CHARITABLE
PLANNINGIn addition to outright gifts of money and conditional donations of money, there are other methods of giving to benefit Kingdom service worldwide. These include:
Insurance: The Watch Tower Society may be named as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or in a retirement/pension plan.
Bank
Accounts: Bank accounts, certificates of deposit, or individual retirement accounts may be placed in
trust
for or made payable
on
death
to the Watch Tower Society, in accord with local bank requirements.
Stocks
and
Bonds: Stocks and bonds may be donated to the Watch Tower Society either as an outright gift or under an arrangement whereby income continues to be paid to the donor.
Real
Estate: Salable real estate may be donated to the Watch Tower Society either by making an outright gift or by reserving a life estate to the donor, who can continue to live therein during his or her lifetime. One should contact the Society before deeding any real estate to the Society.
Wills
and
Trusts: Property or money may be bequeathed to the Watch Tower Society by means of a legally executed will, or the Society may be named as a beneficiary of a trust agreement. A trust benefiting a religious organization may provide certain tax advantages.
As the term "charitable planning" implies, these types of donations typically require some planning on the part of the donor. To assist individuals desiring to benefit the Society through some form of charitable planning, the Society has prepared an English-language brochure entitled Planned
Giving
to
Benefit
Kingdom
Service
Worldwide. The brochure was written in response to the many inquiries the Society has received regarding gifts, wills, and trusts. It also contains additional useful information on estate, financial, and tax planning. And it is designed to help individuals in the United States who are planning to make a special gift to the Society now or to leave a bequest at death to select the most advantageous and efficient method in the light of their family and personal circumstances. This brochure may be obtained by requesting a copy directly from the Charitable Planning Office.
After reading the brochure and conferring with the Charitable Planning Office, many have been able to assist the Society and at the same time, maximize the tax benefits of doing so. The Charitable Planning Office should be informed of and receive a copy of any relevant document pertaining to any of these arrangements. If you are interested in any of these charitable planning arrangements, you should contact the Charitable Planning Office, either in writing or by telephone, at the address listed below or at the Societys office that serves your country.
CHARITABLE PLANNING OFFICE
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
100 Watchtower Drive, Patterson, New York 12563-9204
Telephone: (914) 306-1000
