Protection for the Treasurer
How does Homegroup.Online protect the treasurer’s Social Security number and their anonymity?
Our terms establish a formal separation between the group and the treasurer. Contractually, the treasurer acts as a transaction agent on behalf of the group—moving funds rather than holding funds in a personal capacity. Because funds are never routed through personal bank accounts, a Social Security Number (SSN) or EIN is not required to use the service.
While an EIN is not required to use the platform, larger service entities (such as intergroups or areas) that already have an EIN can seamlessly utilize the utility as an additional digital collection tool that integrates cleanly into their existing banking and accounting workflows.
Most importantly, treasurer anonymity is fully protected. Outbound checks are issued by the platform to shield the treasurer’s personal name and banking details, yet they are explicitly marked as the group’s funds with an “apply to account” memo notation so vendors know exactly which autonomous group to credit.
Easily Accept Payments
(donation versus contribution)
How is one Homegroup.Online account used to collect cash & electronic payments via CHASE®, Venmo®, Credit/Debit Card, etc.?
The platform provides a single access point to eight payment providers—including Zelle, Venmo, and debit cards—without you having to set up or manage any of them, Homegroup.Online maintains these accounts on your behalf.
To facilitate electronic payments, your group is provided a unique web page. An https URL and QR code links to your group’s Payment Page (example).
To facilitate cash deposits, Homegroup.Online issues the treasurer a personalized, deposit only, Chase® ATM card. When depositing cash at an ATM, a detailed record automatically appears in your HGOL account. Paper checks can also be deposited through the ATM or mailed directly to our PO Box for processing.
Making Payments & Automatic Accounting
Without a bank account, how does the treasurer pay someone or contribute to program offices? Is the accounting with Homegroup.Online easy?
See a sample Treasurer’s Payment Page.
The Homegroup.Online account is used to generate a payment to anyone, program offices or individuals. Your treasurer simply designates an amount and recipient, and a check will be mailed to them. Homegroup.Online will automatically create a CHASE® bill-pay payment to the recipient, specifying your group as the payee.
Each transaction, cash and electronic, into and out of the HGOL account, is recorded with details such as transaction numbers, gross amounts, processing fees and other particulars, so your treasurer can easily report income, fees, totals, etc.
Informational Resources
Not to be considered legal or tax advice. See disclaimer.
What should the group know about collecting and distributing money?
Most group transactions meet the threshold for non-reporting, but only if they organize and declare that with the IRS. Legal entities can file for non-reporting or tax-exempt status for several reasons:
- Bringing in less than $5000 annually
- Performing charity or community service
- Operating as a non-profit
Most groups satisfy at least one of these. However, without becoming a legal, organized entity, the threshold for non-reporting is only $600 annually. Unorganized groups that bring in over $600 annually, without reporting it, may be in violation of the law.
As a matter of course, the IRS does not require HGOL to disclose details of members, groups, or individual transactions. However, HGOL may release information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law. Since HGOL does not require Tax ID numbers, HGOL would not have that information to release.