Must be considered self employed to have housing allowance?

My husband is an ordained youth pastor. We have never needed to take advantage of the housing allowance because we always receive more than we paid at tax time. However, his salary appears to have gone up because of including medical insurance premiums in it this year, so now it may be beneficial. Does he have to move to self employed status to do this? It's very confusing! Thanks!

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Mar 06, 2015
 "self-employed? " and "housing allowance?". . .
by: Lewis in NC


Ministers have "dual tax status." Most are considered employees of their churches for income tax reporting purposes and all are considered self-employed for Social Security purposes.


See more on minister's dual status and clergy taxes by clicking on the link to the left entitled "Ministers taxes". At the same link you can read up on how he could qualify for a housing allowance and steps in getting the church to approve one within his salary.

If you then have further questions, just repost them at this blog. Hope this is helpful.

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