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Discussion Forum Index --> Advanced Tax Questions --> Qualifed Clergy for Housing Allowance
Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Qualifed Clergy for Housing Allowance
MDEA (talk|edits) said:
| 16 January 2008
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| I'm working with a two sister churches that seems to have different approaches to the Manse/Housing Allowance. I've read Pub 517 and it seems to me that a minister is a minister whether they are the senior minister or a staff minister. One churh says they can't issue manse allowance letters to staff ministers - that the reg only applies to Pastor's and co-Pastors and one church issue's housing allowance letters to all their ministers not just the senior or pastor minister. It should be noted that in this particular church the staff ministers can and sometimes do perform all the same duties as the senior minister, but it should be noted that they don't perform those duties as regularly as the senior minister. I'm using http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p517.pdf page 8, bottom of column 2 and top of column 3 and pg 6 column 2 as my references. I don't see anything that makes a dilineation between the two. Is there somewhere else I should research. Am I missing something? Thanks
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Marty760 (talk|edits) said:
| 16 January 2008
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| My understanding is if they are "ordained" ministers, it does not matter what their actual title is in their repsective churches
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Mscash (talk|edits) said:
| 16 January 2008
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| If you are using the word manse, at least one of your clients is a Presbyterian. In my particular congregation we throw the word minister around pretty liberally but pastor is reserved for people who are seminary graduates and specifically approved by the presbytery (roughly the equivalent of a Catholic diocese) and "called" by the congregation. Pastors are the only ones entitled to a clergy housing allowance because they are the only ones that pass muster with the head office. If you have a client affiliated with an independent or non-denominational church, they can make up their own reasonable rules.
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JR1 (talk|edits) said:
| January 16, 2008
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| Who is a minister? A minister is determined to be someone who is licensed, commissioned, or ordained, and meets any two of the following: leads worship, administers sacraments, is considered a spiritual leader, or is administering or managing affairs of the church or organization. Many churches and orgs have a checklist or policy to help determine who, within their body, qualifies as a minister.
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MDEA (talk|edits) said:
| 16 January 2008
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| Thanks - in this religion only licensed individuals can be called Ministers, other lay leaders are called Practitioners - I'm using the term Manse loosely - its a housing allowance. All the staff ministers have been licensed by the international organizing body and fit JR's description above. Thanks JR for helping ot clarify this...
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Dianez (talk|edits) said:
| 16 January 2008
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| Housing allowance is allowed by all ministers, Senior, music, associate...that doesn't determine the deduction. what needs to happen is the "elder board" "deacon board" whomever governs the finances of the church must segregate and agree on what amount is determined as housing allowance. each pastor may have a different amount depending on their particular home expenses.that is my understanding. an EXCELLENT resource is: Worth's Income Tax Guide for Ministers by B.J. Worth. 800-253-9315
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