Contact: Sandra Hoekstra-Lower, Christianity Today International, 630-260-6200 ext 4224

CAROL STREAM, Ill., July 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- The July/August 2010 issue of CHURCH LAW & TAX REPORT, a publication of Christianity Today International, will feature the article "How the Health Care Legislation Will Impact Your Church and Staff" by Richard Hammar, a nationally recognized authority on church tax and law. Hammar's article sifts through more than 2,500 pages of this new legislation and highlights the most relevant information regarding the bills' effect on churches.

From background of the legislation, to the impact on individuals, penalty for noncompliance, insurance options, and impact on employers, this article takes an in-depth look at the complex changes that are coming for churches across America. Although many of the bill's requirements will go into effect in 2014, churches will receive only limited exemption from not providing "minimum essential coverage" to employees.

Churches should note that beginning in 2010, small employers, (including nonprofits) are eligible for a refundable tax credit as inducement to obtain health insurance for their employees. No employer is required to provide health insurance coverage for its employees. However, the health care legislation incorporates a "play or pay" rule beginning in 2014 that imposes penalties on large employers (50 or more full-time employees) that fail to provide such coverage if certain conditions are met.

There are many more details in regards to the health care reform that impact churches. Subscribe to CHURCH LAW & TAX REPORT to read Richard Hammar's full analysis including specific examples for churches on this topic. A stand-alone Feature Report of Hammar's health care article is also available for purchase on YourChurchResources.com at http://store.churchlawtodaystore.com/hecarehownew.html.

Christianity Today International is a not-for-profit Christian media ministry founded by Billy Graham in 1956, with nine publications and an award-winning website reaching more than 2.5-million unique visitors monthly.