Paying tithing on LDS.org uses the Church's member portal, where you can send money directly to your local congregation or to the Church's general fund

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers tithing payment through LDS.org as an alternative to cash or check donations at meetinghouse collection. You log in with your Church account, navigate to the donations section, and choose whether to give to your ward (local congregation), stake, or the Church overall. The system accepts bank transfers and credit or debit cards, and you can set up one-time or recurring payments.

This method works whether you attend services regularly or want to make a contribution remotely. The Church does not charge a fee for bank transfers, though credit and debit card payments include a small processing fee that varies by card type. Your payment history stays in your account for your own records.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a Church account (username and password) to access the LDS.org donation portal, which you can create or recover if you have forgotten it.
  • Bank transfers have no processing fee, while credit and debit card payments include a fee that the Church discloses before you confirm payment.
  • You can direct your tithing to your local ward, your stake, or the Church's general fund, and you can change where donations go with each payment.
  • Recurring payments save time if you give the same amount regularly, and you can pause or cancel them at any time through your account settings.
  • The Church keeps a record of all donations in your account, which you can view or download for your own tax and personal records.

Setting up your Church account to access the donation portal

Before you can pay tithing through LDS.org, you need to log in with a Church account. If you already attend services and receive communications from the Church, you likely have an account. Go to LDS.org, click "Sign In" in the top right, and enter your username and password.

If you do not have an account or cannot remember your login, click "Create Account" or "Forgot Username/Password" on the sign-in page. The Church will ask for your name, date of birth, and email address to verify your identity. Once you have access, you can navigate to the donations section from your dashboard.

How to make a one-time tithing payment

After you log in, look for "Donations" or "Contributions" in your account menu — the exact label varies slightly depending on when your account was created. Click that section and select "Make a Donation." The Church will ask you to choose where the money goes: your ward, your stake, or the general Church fund. If you are unsure which to choose, your bishop or ward clerk can tell you what your congregation prefers.

Next, enter the amount and choose your payment method. Bank transfer (also called ACH) has no fee and typically takes one to three business days to process. Credit and debit cards process immediately but include a fee — the Church shows you the exact fee before you confirm, so you know the total you will be charged. Review the details and click to complete the payment.

Setting up automatic recurring tithing payments

If you give the same amount regularly, you can set up a recurring payment so you do not have to log in each time. In the donations section, select "Set Up Recurring Donation" instead of "Make a Donation." Choose your frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or another interval), the amount, and your payment method.

Recurring payments use the same method every time, so if you choose a bank transfer, every payment will be fee-free. You can view all your active recurring donations in your account and pause or cancel any of them without penalty. If you need to change the amount or frequency, you can edit the recurring donation directly in your account settings.

Understanding payment fees and processing times

Bank transfers (ACH payments) have no fee and are the least expensive way to give tithing through LDS.org. These payments typically clear within one to three business days. Credit and debit card payments process the same day but include a processing fee that covers the card network's cost. The Church discloses the exact fee before you confirm, so you see the total amount that will be charged.

If you are giving a large amount, the fee difference between a bank transfer and a card payment can be meaningful. For example, a $1,000 donation might have a $15 to $30 card fee depending on your card type, while a bank transfer would have no fee. The Church does not keep the processing fee — it goes to the payment processor.

Viewing and managing your donation history

LDS.org keeps a record of every donation you make through the portal. Log in to your account, go to the donations section, and look for "Donation History" or "My Contributions." You can see the date, amount, destination (ward, stake, or general fund), and payment method for each gift. This history is yours to keep for personal records or tax purposes.

You can download or print your donation history directly from your account. If you need a formal statement for tax deduction purposes, the Church's financial records office can provide one — contact your bishop or ward clerk for instructions on how to request it. Your account history is not the same as an official tax receipt, though it serves as a personal record.

Troubleshooting common issues with LDS.org tithing payments

If your payment fails, check that your bank account or card has sufficient funds and that the information you entered matches your financial institution's records exactly. If you used a card, verify that the expiration date and security code are correct. The system will usually show an error message explaining why the payment did not go through.

If you cannot log in to your account, use the "Forgot Username/Password" link to reset your credentials. If you set up a recurring payment and want to cancel it before the next scheduled date, go to your account settings and delete it immediately — the Church processes recurring payments on the schedule you set, so canceling early prevents the next charge. If a payment went through twice by mistake, contact your bishop or the Church's member support line to report the duplicate and discuss a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay tithing to my ward instead of the general Church fund?

Yes. When you make a donation through LDS.org, you choose the destination before confirming payment. You can direct tithing to your local ward, your stake, or the Church's general fund. If you are unsure which your congregation prefers, ask your bishop or ward clerk.

What happens if my bank account or card information changes?

If you have a recurring donation set up and your card expires or your bank account closes, the payment will fail on the next scheduled date. Log in to your account, go to your recurring donations, and update the payment method. You can also delete the old recurring donation and create a new one with your current information.

Is there a limit to how much I can donate through LDS.org?

The Church does not publish a maximum donation amount for the portal. Very large donations may trigger additional verification steps for security reasons. If you are making a substantial gift and encounter a problem, contact your bishop or the Church's member support line.

Can I see a tax receipt for my tithing donations?

Your LDS.org account shows your donation history, which you can download and print for personal records. For an official tax receipt, contact your bishop or ward clerk — they can request a formal statement from the Church's financial records office. Keep your personal records from LDS.org as backup documentation.

What if I want to stop giving tithing through LDS.org?

If you have a one-time donation set up, you do not need to do anything — it processes once and stops. If you have a recurring donation, log in to your account, go to your recurring donations, and delete it. The Church will not charge you again after you cancel.