Charitable Contribution Bundling
Charitable Contribution Bundling Recent changes in the federal tax code have raised the amount of the standard deduction compared to past years. At the time of this writing, the federal standard deduction is $12,400 per year for single taxpayers, and $24,800 per year for married couples. One of the implications of claiming the standard deduction…
Ministers Versus Non-Ministry Employees
Ministers Versus Non-Ministry Employees Churches should make a careful distinction between their paid workers who are acting as ministers versus those who are non-ministry employees. There are several considerations that can only apply to those who qualify as “ministers.” First, ministers can receive a clergy housing allowance, if properly designated, which shields a portion of…
Surviving spouses not eligible for housing allowance
The housing allowance exclusion is available only to ordained clergy-not to surviving spouses. The tax return for the year in which a clergyperson dies may include, as an exclusion from the gross income of the clergyperson, a housing allowance exclusion for the full period of time the clergyperson was alive. That is, the death of…
Housing – Fair Rental Value Limitation
In 1971, the IRS issued a Revenue Ruling which imposed the third factor upon clergy who own their own home: the amount excluded from gross income cannot exceed the fair rental value of the housing. This rule was added to Code section 107(2} itself in 2002. According to the above-referenced Revenue Ruling and current publications…
Guidance for American Rescue Plan
The IRS is reviewing implementation plans for the newly enacted American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Additional information about a new round of economic impact payments, the expanded child tax credit, including advance payments, and other tax provisions will be made available as soon as possible. The IRS strongly urges taxpayers not to file amended…
Who is a Minister for Tax Purposes?
A minister occupies a unique niche in the United State tax code. He or she is considered an employee for income tax purposes, but self-employed for social security and Medicare. In addition, a minister is eligible for a housing allowance that is not subject to income tax and has the choice to opt-out of social…
Refund delays, stimulus check errors foreshadow rough tax season
Tax-refund delays and stimulus-payment hiccups could spill into the upcoming tax season as the Internal Revenue Service continues to face challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic and as Congress considers yet another round of direct payments. Millions of Americans waited months for refunds in 2020, and millions also have yet to receive some or all…
Tax Season Start Date
The IRS announced it will begin accepting and processing returns on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. The decision was made to push back the start date by a month to allow the department extra time to prepare following the Dec. 27, 2020 tax law changes. The tax filing deadline remains April 15, 2021.
When are credit cards purchases deductible
Credit card statements are necessary to prepare your taxes. They have a record of items that were purchased with the credit card some of which may be tax-deductible on your tax returns. There is a belief that you deduct your purchases as you pay off your credit card: This belief is incorrect. When you put…
When are credit card purchases deductible?
Credit card statements are necessary to prepare your taxes. They have a record of items that were purchased with the credit card some of which may be tax-deductible on your tax returns. There is a belief that you deduct your purchases as you pay off your credit card: This belief is incorrect. When you put…