What Are The Tax Advantages for Pastors, Ministers, and Missionaries?

All those who are properly licensed, commissioned, or ordained by an ecclesiastical body can take a Minister’s Housing Allowance, which gives the right to reduce their ministry-based income by an amount equal to the expenses associated with their housing costs.

How Does the Minister’s Housing Allowance Impact Your Retirement?

During your active ministry years, you pay significantly less SECA (The Self Employment Contribution Act) tax. Make sure you save the difference and set it aside in your retirement plan.
During your retirement years you can take distributions equal to your housing allowance from your 403(b)(9) retirement plan without paying taxes. Functionally, this is an increase in compensation equal to your tax bracket—maybe as much as 25% at that point in time.

All voluntary contributions you make to your 403(b)(9) retirement plan reduces your SECA tax, as well as your state and federal income tax. The SECA tax is paid by those with ministerial status who have not opted out of Social Security. For those who have not opted out, the increased savings is in the 15.3% range, in addition to normal retirement savings. Again, this provides an immediate tax savings of about 15.3%. Make sure to reinvest those tax savings back into your 403(b)(9) retirement plan account.

What Are The Tax Benefits for Missionaries?

For missionaries living overseas for over 50% of the year, contributions made to your retirement plan that are not made by your employer or ministry can go into an after tax Roth account. This means that when following the ROTH regulations, you will never pay tax on that money. Because of the Overseas Income Credit, you typically cannot contribute to a Roth IRA, but you can to a Roth 403(b).

To learn more about housing allowance, download our FREE Housing Allowance eBook.

* Envoy does not offer legal or tax advice and encourages that you consult with a lawyer and/or professional tax advisor for personalized tax advice.