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2025 Housing Guide – PDF Download
The “Housing Allowance Exclusion” allows Clergy to exclude a portion of their income from Federal income tax in order to pay for housing. This results in less taxable income and less income tax. The “Housing Allowance Exclusion” is one of the biggest and best tax benefits currently available to Clergy, but it is also one of the most frequently misapplied.
This housing allowance guide provides following information:
- Housing Allowance Eligibility
- Different Types of Allowances
- What Expenses Qualify
- What expenses do not qualify?
- Substantiating expenses
- Designating a Housing Allowance
- How do I designate part of my salary as a Housing Allowance?
- How do I amend my Housing Allowance?
- Are there restrictions on how often or when I can change my
- Housing Allowance?
- Housing Allowance Limitations
- What is the Fair Rental Value of a Property?
- How do I calculate the Fair Rental Value of my Home?
- Housing / Manse / Parsonage Worksheet
- Housing / Manse / Parsonage Annual Form
Retainer
Example: If your retainer amount is $500.00, enter 500 in the quantity box.
Retainer Agreement
A retainer fee is an advance payment that’s made by a client that is considered a down payment on the future services rendered by Clergy Financial Resources.
This Agreement acknowledges that Clergy Financial Resources will represent the client based on the fee arrangement. A retainer fee may be paid on a fixed, pre-negotiated rate or on a variable hourly rate depending on the nature of retainer.
Retainer fees do not guarantee an outcome of the final service.
2024 Housing Guide – PDF Download
The “Housing Allowance Exclusion” allows Clergy to exclude a portion of their income from Federal income tax in order to pay for housing. This results in less taxable income and less income tax. The “Housing Allowance Exclusion” is one of the biggest and best tax benefits currently available to Clergy, but it is also one of the most frequently misapplied.
This housing allowance guide provides following information:
- Housing Allowance Eligibility
- Different Types of Allowances
- What Expenses Qualify
- What expenses do not qualify?
- Substantiating expenses
- Designating a Housing Allowance
- How do I designate part of my salary as a Housing Allowance?
- How do I amend my Housing Allowance?
- Are there restrictions on how often or when I can change my
- Housing Allowance?
- Housing Allowance Limitations
- What is the Fair Rental Value of a Property?
- How do I calculate the Fair Rental Value of my Home?
- Housing / Manse / Parsonage Worksheet
- Housing / Manse / Parsonage Annual Form
Online Organizer Instructions
NEW 2017 ONLINE ORGANIZER IS NOW AVAILABLE! Thank you for selecting the Clergy Tax Organizer ® to assist you with preparation of your tax returns. The organzier will help clergy accumulate and summarize their tax information to prepare a more accurate return. Each year we publish an organizer for clergy, which is designed to be…
Clergy Housing Allowance
Clergy Housing Allowance Ministers who own their home can not only take advantage of the housing allowance by including mortgage payments as housing expenses but also can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes on their itemized deductions. This is often referred to as a “double deduction. Once ministers pay off their mortgages, however, they can…
Estimated Payment Support
Is this your first ministry position? Have you had a change in compensation? With this innovative support plan, you no longer need to concern yourself with incurring endless charges at an hourly rate. We have simplified the process, one flat rate to calculate your estimated payments or optional withholdings. This service will ensure that your federal, social security and state tax liabilities are paid on time and no surprises at the end of the year.
Dependent Care FSA Plan or Employer Paid (Section 129)
Dependent Care FSAs allow employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay dependent care expenses. This plan can be standalone or offered in conjunction with a Section 125 Premium Only Plan or Health FSA. Single employees can set aside up to $2,500 and married couples can set aside up to $5,000 annually. If amounts are not used they will be lost under the use it or lose it clause.
Health FSA plan includes:
Resolution to Adopt a Plan- Includes minutes of the meeting to adopt the Dependent Care Plan as an employee benefit.
Plan Document – Plan Documents are personally prepared for each church and kept on file for review for IRS, etc.
Summary Plan Description (SPD) – Explains the Plan Purpose, Who is Eligible, How To Enroll, etc. in easy to read language. Also includes all information required by the Internal Revenue regarding the Plan Year Start and End Dates, Agent for Legal Service, Fed. ID#, and information regarding COBRA, FMLA, and required DOL information.
Election and Claim Form – Personalized for your church, it will include the Election Agreement and Claim Form to submit bills to the church for reimbursement.
Administrative Handbook – Includes sections on Administration, Non-Discrimination Testing, and Reporting and Disclosure information.
Here’s what will happen next:
Step 1: Complete the enrollment form below
Step 2: A benefit plan advisor will review your questionnaire for completeness.
Step 3: Schedule an Appointment to finalize your plan.
Once the review is complete, we’ll prepare your Plan Document, SPD, Forms, helpful guides, and easy-to-follow signing instructions.
Webinar – Principles of Compensation Planning for Clergy
Clergy Financial Resources would like to invite you to a webinar designed to teach the principles of compensation planning. The webinar is designed for clergy who are interested in recognizing new ways to minimize their own tax liability, in addition to, gaining a better understanding of the current tax laws that affect clergy today. Each webinar will be led by a clergy tax professional and will last between 45 to 60 minutes based on the level of discussion during the session.
Time: One-to-One | Contact Office To Schedule
Topics: Principles of Compensation Planning for Clergy
Who Should Attend:
• Clergy
• Associate Pastors
• Youth Pastors
• Seminary Students
• Lay Leaders
• Church Employees
What You Will Learn:
• How to build your salary package
• Allowance vs. Reimbursement
• Auto Expenses
• Professional Expenses
• Housing/Manse/Parsonage
• Ways to reduce your overall tax liability
• and more…
• Course Material included
Education level: Basic
If you would like to register more than one individual for this webinar, please enter the correct number of participants in the quantity box below, e.g. 2=two person, 3=three people, etc.
Special Project
Example: If your retainer amount is $500.00, enter 500 in the quantity box.