Clergy Taxes

Tax guide

The ECFA is a trusted partner and resource for best practices in ministry finance. Their annual tax guide is comprehensive, accurate, and accessible. To better understand clergy taxes, read through their annual guide, Minister’s Tax & Financial Guide.

Minister’s Tax and Financial Guide [eBook]

How to pay taxes

Clergy have dual tax status, meaning that under some aspects of tax law, they are considered self-employed. This means that clergy must pay in taxes voluntarily throughout the year, rather than having an employer automatically withhold the taxes. Most clergy know about quarterly estimated taxes, but few know that there might be an easier method. Check out our article, “The Best Kept Secret in Clergy Taxes,” to learn more about both options.

If you’re confused about how to pay social security taxes, read through the IRS’s guide, Social Security and Other Information for Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers. Though there’s a provision in the Internal Revenue Code that permits some ministers to opt out of paying Social Security tax, the RCA General Synod has determined that this does not apply to RCA ministers. A theologically Reformed perspective on civic life doesn’t support opting out of Social Security. If the IRS were to investigate a minister’s request for an exemption, the General Synod would not support the request.

Housing allowance

A housing allowance is the most significant tax benefit that clergy receive. It’s important to do it right—both to maximize the tax benefit, as well as to be in compliance with federal tax code. You can claim a housing allowance whether you pay for your own housing or live in a parsonage. The EFCA has provided two worksheets for estimating a housing allowance, depending on your situation.

Once you know the amount of housing allowance you plan to claim each year, make sure that the number is recorded properly. For ministers currently serving congregations, here’s a helpful article for determining how much you can claim: “Housing Allowance Made Easy (Sort of).”