Church Paying for Cell Phone and Automobile
Reader Question: We (the church) pays for a cell phone and vehicle for our pastor. The church pays the insurance and owns the car but he is the only one that drives it. Do either of these “benefits” need to be taxable? P.A. Yes, both of these benefits are taxable. However, they are only partially…
Clergy Commuting Expenses
You cannot deduct the costs of taking a bus, trolley, subway, or taxi, or driving a car between your home and your main or regular place of work. These costs are personal commuting expenses. You cannot deduct commuting expenses no matter how far your home is from your regular place of work. You cannot deduct commuting expenses even if you work during the commuting trip.
Accountable Reimbursement Plans Are Often Misunderstood By Church Administrators
Accountable Reimbursement Plans Your church should establish an accountable reimbursement policy. Clergy are allowed to exclude all reimbursed expenses from their reportable income. The church reimbursement policy should include the following, but not limited to: office supplies, religious material, subscriptions and paperbacks, meals, entertainment, seminars, dues and memberships, library, educational expenses, camps, legal and professional…
