The church pays the half of the pastor's tax.

by Barurch
(FL)

My church pays half of the taxes of the pastor quarterly.

I know the financial support for his tax from the church should be added to his income.

What is the best way to file 941 form in my case to reflect the church's help on 941 form?

Thanks in advance

Comments for The church pays the half of the pastor's tax.

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A SECA Allowance is Taxable Income
by: Vickey

Many churches help their ministers with all or part of their tax burden from being paid under the SECA system. See more on ministers and what the SECA system is on this page:

https://www.freechurchaccounting.com/clergytax.html

SECA employees are responsible for the entire 15.3% social security tax...unlike nonminister employees that are paid under the FICA system and only have to pay half that amount.

NOTE:By law,, a minister may not be treated as a FICA employee (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/ministers.pdf).

SO many churches decide to help their ministers with their full 15.3% SECA tax burden by paying half of SE tax. This additional amount is often referred to as a "SECA Allowance" AND is ALWAYS considered taxable income.

According to the IRS's "Minister's Audit Techniques Guide":
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/ministers.pdf

"If the church or church agency pays amounts in addition to salary to cover the minister's self-employment tax or income tax, these are also includible in gross income. Rev. Rul. 68-507, 1968-2 C.B. 485."

SO my answer to your question is to report that amount you give him for half his SE tax along with his wages/salaries on line 2 in the IRS form 941 and in Box 1 of a W-2.

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