Tithing settlement

Tithing settlement is the name of a formalized series of meetings held at local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). During tithing settlement, each member of the church is individually interviewed by the bishop or branch president of the congregation and asked to declare whether he or she has paid a full tithe to the church, which is defined as ten per cent of the member's income. Tithing settlement meetings are held in November and December.

During the meeting, each member is given a copy of his or her donation record for the year, and asked to confirm it is correct.

Each church member is required to choose one of the four following tithing statuses as defined by the church:^[1]

• Full-tithe payers have paid one-tenth of their income as tithing.
• Part-tithe payers have paid tithing, but the amount is less than one-tenth of their income.
• Non-tithe payers have not paid tithing during the year and (in the view of the church) are not exempt from paying tithing.
• Exempt members have no income and have not paid tithing, but they declare that they would have paid a full tithe if they had income. Full-time missionaries and those completely dependent on church welfare assistance are also exempt.

Church members are invited to make a payment to correct any deficiency before the records are closed for year-end.

If a church member declines to participate or attend a tithing settlement meeting, the bishop or branch president is required to choose a tithing status on their behalf. Bishops and branch presidents are not authorized to enter a status of "exempt" on another's behalf.^[1]

It is church doctrine that the payment of tithing is mandatory for all members, including children. Church members must declare themselves to be "full-tithe payers" in order to receive a temple recommend and attend the temples. However, that is done in a separate meeting from the tithing settlement.^[2]

It is important to note that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints implements the honor system and personal accountability of the individual tithe payer. It is not the churches general position to question the honesty of tithe payers. The church predominantly accepts the status declared by the tithe payer through counsel and consideration of the leaders. It is up to the individual tithe payer to determine and in turn declare to their leaders whether he or she feels they are a full tithe payer or not.

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