Begin the Process

Step 1:  Clergy Tax Organizer

Step 2: State Worksheet

• This State Worksheet is required to complete your return and will help you collect and report the information needed to prepare your state return.

Why act now?
CFR has limited resources to process the majority of returns in March and April. During February, we have more appointments available and greater capacity to serve you. Please take advantage of this availability and avoid the year-end rush!

Friendly Reminder: To ensure the best chance of filing by April 15th, we strongly recommend submitting your organizer and supporting documents by the first week of March.  Submitting early allows for smoother processing, as returns are prepared once all required documents are received. Later submissions may need to be filed with an extension.

For more information or if you additional assistance, please use the contact information below.

Tel: (888) 421-0101
Fax: (888) 876-5101
Email: clientservices@clergyfinancial.com

Get a Head Start on Tax Season

It’s always best to start early—there’s no benefit in putting off the inevitable.

By now, many of your tax documents such as W‑2s, 1099s, and other forms have likely arrived or will be arriving soon. With the April 15th filing deadline approaching faster than you think, now is the perfect time to begin preparing.

A recent survey found that 34% of taxpayers begin working on their returns in January. We applaud those early birds and encourage everyone else to follow their lead.

To complete your return, you’ll need to gather all necessary documents. For most, this includes Form W‑2, which reports wages and withholdings, as well as various 1099 forms that detail bank interest, dividends, or other types of income.

While tax preparation can feel painstaking, starting now can make the process far less stressful. Clergy Financial Resources offers simple steps to help you ease the burden and stay organized throughout the season.

Breaking tax preparation into manageable steps will make the task less overwhelming and save you time and frustration later. Here are a few straightforward strategies to give you a strong head start on your taxes today.

Create a System for Organizing Tax Documents

One of the biggest frustrations during tax season is sitting down to prepare your return only to realize an important document is missing. The best way to avoid this is to establish a simple system before the first tax form arrives. Your system doesn’t need to be complicated—something as basic as a large envelope or an accordion file works well. The key is to designate a specific spot and make sure everyone in the household knows where tax documents should go.

Reviewing your 2024 tax return can also provide a helpful roadmap for 2025. It will remind you which financial institutions typically send forms, which charities you supported, and which deductions you may be eligible to claim again.

After looking at last year’s return and considering any major life changes in 2025, create a checklist of the documents you’ll need. Starting early gives you time to gather everything, stay organized, and identify potential tax-saving opportunities before the filing deadline.

Review Tax Documents as They Arrive

As tax documents begin to arrive, don’t simply file them away. Take a few minutes to review each one carefully so that any discrepancies can be identified and corrected well before you start preparing your return. Obtaining a corrected W‑2 or 1099 can take time, so it’s best to address issues early rather than waiting until the deadline approaches.

It’s important to note that approximately 60% of clergy W‑2 forms are issued with errors by churches and payroll providers. These mistakes often stem from a lack of understanding about taxable income reporting, housing allowances, reimbursement and allowance plans, and other elements of clergy compensation. Be sure to review your church’s W‑2 form thoroughly and confirm that the numbers are accurate. If your church is unable to prepare the W‑2 correctly, additional steps may be required to ensure your return is filed properly.

If your church is unsure how to file the W2 form for clergy, we are here to take the stress out of W-2 and 1099 reporting. When your year-end data is ready, simply submit it through our secure form. We’ll handle the rest—e-filing, printing, mailing recipient copies, and sending you confirmation once it’s complete. Click the link below to streamline your tax filing process.

Easy Online Filing for Churches

Order your Clergy Tax Organizer

Each year, we publish a new tax organizer, which is designed to be used as a learning tool and reference guide. This organizer will assist you in gathering the information needed to prepare your current tax return. Click the following link to order your Clergy Tax Organizer and state organizer.

There is a required fee to order the organizer; however, this fee is applied to your annual tax service and is not an additional cost. Once your order is processed, you’ll be able to download the organizer immediately.

This organizer is your assurance that no important tax information will be overlooked. It is the most thorough organizer available to clergy and has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as one of the most complete resources of its kind.

To get started, compile your tax records and receipts, then complete the organizer. We recommend reviewing both the clergy and state organizers carefully and answering all applicable questions. Your return will be prepared primarily from this data. Completed organizers and supporting documents can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded directly to your CyberCabinet.

After we receive and process your information, our office will contact you to schedule your tax review. This step ensures accuracy and consistency, identifies potential tax‑saving opportunities, and helps plan ahead for estimated payments or optional withholdings. Once finalized, your completed tax return will be uploaded to your CyberCabinet for review prior to e‑filing.

Start gathering your tax information today—review credit card statements and checkbooks for possible deductions and charitable donations. Preparing early helps you stay organized and reduces stress as the season progresses.

We welcome new clients and process returns in the order they are received. While our goal is to complete all returns by April 15th, extensions may be necessary. Filing an extension is a simple automated process that moves the deadline to October 15, 2025.

For added peace of mind, Clergy Financial Resources offers Audit Protection Plus for just $125 per year. This coverage protects you from the high costs of tax corrections, required correspondence, mail examinations, and direct audits.

Simplify Your Tax Season Today

The U.S. tax code is complex—even the IRS Commissioner has acknowledged the need for professional help. In fact, nearly 80% of clergy rely on tax professionals to prepare their returns. Ministers face unique challenges under the tax code, with advantages and disadvantages that apply only to them. Clergy compensation, deductions, and expenses are often misunderstood, which can lead to costly mistakes. Our team of clergy tax specialists is here to simplify the process, handle the details, and save you valuable time.

Clergy Financial Resources will begin processing and preparing returns on February 1, 2026, and all returns will be completed in the order they are received.

Once your organizer and state worksheet are finished, please upload, mail, or fax your tax materials along with all supporting documents—such as W‑2s, 1099s, and other income records. Be sure to include any forms or correspondence from the IRS or your state, as well as a copy of your 2024 tax return (if not previously provided).

CyberCabinet Plus  

Your personal CyberCabinet provides secure, 24/7 access to your individual tax returns and supporting documents, allowing you to review and retrieve them at your convenience. New clients may contact our office to enroll.

If you ever need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out using the contact information below.

Important: Standard email is not secure and does not provide encryption. This means your messages and credentials could be accessed by anyone with visibility into the transmission between your computer and your email provider. To protect yourself from identity theft, please avoid sending any tax information through standard email.

Mail Documents:
Clergy Financial Resources
11214 86th Avenue N.  
Maple Grove, MN 55369

Fax Documents:
(800) 876-5101