Congress Passes the Clergy Act: A Second Chance at Social Security for Ministers
If you’re a minister, you may have seen the headlines about a bill that could change the retirement picture for clergy. The good news is that there’s no need to panic. Ministers who opted out of Social Security years ago may soon get a one-time chance to opt back in. On September 30, 2026, the…
The Minister’s Housing Allowance: What Every Pastor Should Confirm Before 2026 Ends
The housing allowance is still one of the most valuable tax benefits available to ministers. Here’s how the lesser-of rule works, what expenses count, and the three steps to take before December 31.
2026 Tax Law Changes Every Minister Should Know
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act brought new deductions, a higher standard deduction, and changes to charitable giving and 1099 reporting. Here’s what matters for ministers and churches in 2026.
Page 21: Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
← Page 20: Clergy Professional Expenses PAGE 21 OF 27 Page 22: Additional Clergy Housing → ⏱ About 15 minutes per account SKIP THIS PAGE IFNeither of you had a Health Savings Account during 2026. YOU NEED THIS PAGE IFEither of you had an HSA, including one nothing was paid into, if money came out…
Page 10: Secular Business Income and Expenses (Continued)
← Page 9: Secular Business PAGE 10 OF 27 Page 11: Rental and Royalty → ⏱ About half an hour SKIP THIS PAGE IFYou skipped Page 9, or your business bought no equipment, holds no inventory, isn’t run from your home, and you employed no one in your home. YOU NEED THIS PAGE IFYou completed…
Page 7: Non-Clergy Wages and Other Earned Income
← Page 6: Additional Ministry Income PAGE 7 OF 27 Page 8: Investment Income → ⏱ About 10 minutes SKIP THIS PAGE IFNeither of you worked outside ministry, took nothing from a pension or IRA, received no Social Security, and put nothing into a retirement account. YOU NEED THIS PAGE IFEither of you had a…
QSEHRA – Health Reimbursement Group
Plan documents prepared for your church
An IRS-approved health benefit for churches with fewer than 50 full-time employees that don’t offer group health insurance.
- Tax-free reimbursements for qualified medical expenses
- Covers individual premiums (on or off the Marketplace) and out-of-pocket costs
- Predictable costs within IRS annual limits
- Customized plan document, SPD, and election and claim forms
CHOICE Arrangement (formerly ICHRA) – HRA Plan Group
Plan documents prepared for your church
Reimburse employees tax-free for individual health insurance and qualified medical expenses, with no group plan required.
- Employees choose the coverage that fits their needs
- Predictable, controllable benefit costs for the church
- One of the most flexible options in church health benefits
- Customized plan document, SPD, and required forms
QSEHRA – Health Reimbursement Arrangement
(For Churches and Organizations with Fewer Than 50 Employees and No Group Health Plan)
A Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) is an excellent, IRS-approved benefit option designed specifically for small employers—such as churches and ministries with fewer than 50 full-time employees—that do not offer a traditional group health insurance plan.
With a QSEHRA in place, the church establishes a reimbursement-based health benefit that allows eligible employees to receive tax-free reimbursements for a wide range of healthcare expenses.
What Expenses Can Be Reimbursed?
A QSEHRA can reimburse employees for qualified medical expenses as defined by the IRS, including:
- Individual health insurance premiums (on or off the Marketplace)
- Co-pays and deductibles
- Prescription medications
- Vision care, including exams, glasses, and contact lenses
- Dental care, including cleanings, fillings, and major procedures
- Chiropractic and other eligible treatments
- Long-term care services
- Certain medically necessary over-the-counter medications (based on plan design)
This flexibility allows employees to choose the healthcare coverage and services that best meet their needs, while still receiving financial support from their employer.
Key Tax Advantages
A QSEHRA provides meaningful tax benefits for both the employer and employees:
- Tax-free reimbursements for employees – Funds received through the plan are not subject to federal income or payroll taxes when used for qualified expenses.
This creates a highly efficient compensation strategy, allowing churches to provide valuable health benefits without the high cost and complexity of group insurance.
Eligibility and Plan Requirements
To qualify for and maintain a QSEHRA, the following rules must be met:
- The church or organization must have fewer than 50 full-time employees
- The employer cannot offer a group health insurance plan to any employees
- The plan must be offered on the same terms to all eligible employees (with limited variations allowed for family size or age)
- The employer fully funds the benefit—employees cannot contribute
- Employees must have minimum essential coverage (MEC) to receive tax-free reimbursements
2026 Contribution Limits
The IRS sets annual maximum reimbursement limits for QSEHRA plans. For 2026:
- Individual coverage: up to $6,450 per year
- Family coverage: up to $13,100 per year
These limits are prorated for employees who are not eligible for the full year. For example, if an employee begins mid-year, their maximum benefit is adjusted based on the number of months they are eligible—employers cannot increase monthly allowances to “catch up” to the full annual maximum.
Why Consider a QSEHRA?
A QSEHRA is ideal for churches and small organizations that want to:
- Provide meaningful health benefits without sponsoring a group plan
- Control costs with predictable, defined contribution limits
- Offer flexibility for employees to choose their own coverage
- Convert healthcare expenses into tax-advantaged reimbursements
What Happens Next?
Getting started with a QSEHRA is simple and fully supported:
Step 1: Complete the Enrollment Form
Submit your information so we can design a plan tailored to your church’s needs.
Step 2: Expert Review
A benefits advisor will review your submission to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with IRS regulations.
Step 3: Receive Your Custom Plan Package
Once finalized, we will provide everything you need to implement your plan, including:
- Official Plan Document
- Summary Plan Description (SPD)
- Required forms and compliance materials
- Easy-to-follow setup and signing instructions
Do You Need Ongoing HRA Plan Support?
What If You Can’t Afford to Pay Your Taxes?
What If You Can’t Afford to Pay Your Taxes? If you’re unable to pay your tax bill in full, the most important thing to know is this: you should still file your tax return on time. You can file your income tax return even if you don’t have the money to pay what’s owed. Once…