What is FICA?
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act is the federal law that requires you to withhold two separate taxes from the wages you earn. It includes Social Security Tax and Medicare Tax at a flat percentage rate. The Social Security Tax is 6.2% rate of your wages, and the Medicare Tax is 1.45% of your wages. You’re…
Can churches reimburse employee health care premiums?
For many years, churches have been permitted to reimburse employees for or directly pay the cost of individual health insurance policy premiums and exclude such amounts from the employee’s gross income. However, recent Internal Revenue Service guidance effectively eliminates these health care reimbursement plans after December 31, 2013. Group health insurance policy premiums paid directly…
Does the church need to provide health insurance to their employees?
The answer is no. The church does not have to provide health insurance to their employees. Churches with less than 50 full-time equivalent employees for the previous calendar year are not required to provide health insurance. However, The Affordable Care Act requires most Americans to carry a “minimum essential coverage” health plan, or pay a…
FAQ’s – IRS and the Government Shutdown
Will I still have to meet the October 15 deadline? Yes. Regular filing deadlines will remain in effect during the shutdown. So anyone who requested an extension on their taxes last spring should still file their returns by October 15. The IRS is urging individuals to file their tax returns electronically because those returns are…
How do you determine the fair rental value of the parsonage or pastor’s home?
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 home, the amount of the rent would be presumptive evidence of the fair rental value (assuming the rental agreement was an “arm’s length” transaction). Other methods of…
Can clergy living in a parsonage receive a parsonage allowance?
Pastors living in parsonages should be provided with a “parsonage allowance.” Even in a parsonage, every pastor has some expense in maintaining his or her home. The amount of the allowance may depend on several factors: whether or not the parsonage is furnished, who provides the upkeep, pays the utilities, etc. When the parsonage allowance…
Is an activity a hobby or a business
Many clergy(and their spouses) participate in activities(outside their main job) that create additional sources of income. Is it a business or a hobby in the eyes of the IRS? The tax implications of that classification can vary greatly. Below are some questions to ask yourself when trying to determine if an activity is a business…
Health Insurance Payroll Deduction…Taxable or Not?
In order for the payroll reductions for health insurance to be tax-free for employees, the church has to establish a POP (premium only plan) or FSA (flexible spending account) or a cafeteria plan. These benefit plans offer the employee the option to forgo part of his or her compensation on a tax-free basis in order…
Housing Provided for Student Clergy – Taxable or Not?
Like other fringe benefits, free or discounted church-provided lodging is usually subject to income and other taxes. To determine the fair market value of the housing provided to an intern, the church may check local newspaper listings for comparable rental properties or ask a local realtor for an estimate of the property’s rental value. The…
Health Care Information on my W-2?
When you get your 2011 W-2, you might notice some new information on the form. Box 12 is where the church will report the cost of your group health insurance coverage. This amount is both the amount the church pays as well as the premiums paid via payroll deductions. The amount, which will be designated…
