Can Deacons qualify for a housing allowance? Deacons can qualify for a housing allowance, but only if they meet the IRS definition of a “minister” for tax purposes. The IRS does not base eligibility on job titles (pastor, priest, bishop, deacon, etc.). Instead, it looks at whether the individual is ordained, licensed, or commissioned and…

Home Office Deduction and the Clergy Housing Allowance: How They Work Together Many ministers ask whether they can claim a home office deduction while also benefiting from a clergy housing allowance. The good news is that it is possible to claim both, provided the rules for each are met and the two benefits are coordinated…

Housing allowance policy for your employee handbook Below is a Housing Allowance Policy suitable for inclusion in a church or ministry Employee Handbook. It is written in neutral language and reflects IRS requirements found in Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code (no external citations needed for policy documents). Housing Allowance Policy (For Ministers and…

2026 Housing Allowance Guide Now Available The Housing Allowance Exclusion permits clergy to set aside a portion of their compensation specifically for housing expenses, shielding that amount from federal income tax. By reducing taxable income, clergy can significantly lower their overall tax burden. Although this exclusion is one of the most valuable tax advantages available to ministers,…

The Housing Allowance Exclusion permits clergy to set aside a portion of their compensation specifically for housing expenses, shielding that amount from federal income tax. By reducing taxable income, clergy can significantly lower their overall tax burden. Although this exclusion is one of the most valuable tax advantages available to ministers, it is also one…

A common approach to estimating the fair rental value (FRV) of clergy housing is to apply a fixed percentage—often 12% to 15%—of the home’s current value. A more reliable alternative is to use methods such as a comparable rental analysis or a comparable sales evaluation performed by a qualified third party. Under IRC § 107,…

Housing Allowance Checklist for Clergy and Churches  Board Approval Ministers may exclude a designated portion of their income as a housing allowance from federal income taxes—provided it compensates ministerial services. The church board (or governing body) must determine eligibility and formally approve the allowance before the calendar year begins or prior to the minister’s start…

A minister cannot claim housing expenses for the months they are not employed as a minister. Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code specifies that the rental value of a home furnished to a minister as part of their compensation, or a rental allowance paid to them as part of their compensation, is excludable from…

Under IRC Section 107, the term “housing expense” for ministers includes costs associated with providing and maintaining a home. Unfortunately, the IRS has not published a defined list. Here are some detailed examples of specific expenses that can be considered for maintaining a home under IRC Section 107: Rent or Mortgage Rent Payments: Monthly payments…

A minister’s housing (or parsonage) allowance under IRC 107 is excludable from gross income only to the extent it is used to rent or otherwise provide a bona fide “home”—that is, a dwelling place complete with the usual amenities (such as furnishings and, for example, a garage) as indicated in the statute and regulations (IRC 107; § 107,…