Clarifying the IRS Rules About Endorsing Candidates From The Pulpit
Recently in the news, there have been stories about clergy endorsing political candidates from the pulpit: Pastors Preach Politics from Pulpit– News42.com Hastings Pastor Defends Endrosement – WCCO.com Pastors, Not the Gov’t, Should Decide When They Can Speak About Candidates From the Pulpit – Christian Post Minnesota Pastors Plan to Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit…
Top 10 Question of a New Call
The proposed salary package will normally represent the previous pastor’s salary package or the guidelines set by your organization. 1- Does the church provide a social security allowance? 15.3% or 7.65% of salary and housing. 2- Does the church provide for the supplemental medical insurance? 3-Does the church provide a 100% professional accountable reimbursement plan?…
Year end tax strategies for clergy
Here’s a quick checklist of tax savings strategies to consider and apply before the end of December: 1. Make Charitable Contributions and Donations: Generally, for individuals, contributions to tax-exempt charitable organizations are limited to 50 percent of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income for the tax year. Those unused items cluttering closets can be donated to…
Who is a minister for federal tax purposes?
Ministers are individuals who are duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed by a religious body constituting a church or church denomination. They are given the authority to conduct religious worship, perform sacerdotal functions, and administer ordinances or sacraments according to the prescribed tenets and practices of that church or denomination. If a church or denomination ordains…
Clergy Compensation Package
The 1986 Tax Reform Act, the 1987 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation, Technical Correction Act of 1988, and the 1993 Reconciliation Act made the most sweeping changes in almost 50 years. The law is not simple. Your salary package is the most important factor in determining your annual tax liability. At year end, you are limited in…
Understanding Clergy W-2 Forms
Clergy Financial Resources has created an “Understanding Clergy W-2 Forms” This PDF helps identify what needs to go in each box of a Clergy W-2. Click on the link below to access the file. Understanding Clergy W-2’s Source: Clergy Financial Resources https://www.clergyfinancial.com Clergy Financial Resources is a national accounting and finance organization serving churches and…
Clergy Housing Allowance: How to determine the Fair Rental Value of my residence and furnishings?
In general, the fair rental value of the property is a question of facts and circumstances based on the local real estate market. If the pastor rents his or her home, the amount of the rent would be presumptive evidence of the fair rental value. Obtain the current fair rental value of your home from…
Parsonage/Manse/Housing Allowance
Have you paid off your mortgage? You may be able to exclude from your gross income other eligible housing expenses directly related to providing a home. Qualifying expenses include utilities, repairs, improvements, furnishings, property taxes and insurance. Any additional mortgage that does not apply to improvements on your home cannot be excluded from gross income….
Clergy Housing/Parsonage/Manse Allowance
A housing allowance is one of the greatest tax benefits available to clergy today.
Can Student Clergy Receive a Housing Allowance?
The housing allowance exclusion is available only for qualified “ministers of the gospel.” The term “minister of the gospel” includes ministers, priests, and rabbis, i.e., those who have been ordained, commissioned or licensed by a church and who perform certain duties or services. These duties or services generally include the performance of sacerdotal functions, the…
