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Court strikes down clergy tax break

Discussion in 'News & Current Events' started by Crabtownboy, Nov 30, 2013.

  1. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    This is going to create lots of debate.

     
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    This does not affect anyone yet and it may never.
     
  3. thisnumbersdisconnected

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    Not until all the appeals are exhausted. How did you miss this at the top of the article?

     
  4. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
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    Actually I have no problem with this. I do not think the government should be subsidizing churches or ministers.
     
  5. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    I didn't miss it. I figured just the idea would create discussion. If this is upheld it will affect pastor's who own their own homes. It will not affect pastors who live in parsonages as parsonages are church property. I realize there are not a lot of parsonages among Protestants . But it will not affect Catholic priests at all as where they live is church property.

    A pastor friend who ate with us on Thanksgiving says the sources he has talked to believes it will be upheld and pastor's will, in effect, take a pay in cut as they will no longer have the housing credit.
     
  6. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    This will most likely mean that I'd have to work at church more (meaning the church has to pay out more money) or that I get another job. I'm not thrilled about that option until my youngest is in school in 3 years.
     
  7. thisnumbersdisconnected

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    I doubt that. Housing allowances in other professions are legal and have not been challenged. The courts can't separate out a pastor's housing allowance and call it unconstitutional simply because of the nature of his employment.
     
  8. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    I checked Turbo Tax and found no information other than that for pastors. Can you enlighten me on others who can take housing allowances? Thanks.

    I agree they could not separate one and not include the other.

     
    #8 Crabtownboy, Nov 30, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 30, 2013
  9. Ryan.Samples

    Ryan.Samples New Member

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    Aren't the military Basic Allowance for Subsistence and Basic Allowance for Housing non-taxable?
     
  10. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Wouldn't that be like parsonages?
     
  11. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    The Director of SUNY Upstate Medical Center recieves $5000 for a housing allowance.

    BTW, that 5 grand is per month
     
  12. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Is this in addition to his salary?
    Does he own his own house?
    Can he deduct the $5000 from his income tax by shifting money around?

    Just asking, not arguing.
     
  13. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I'm not sure how the costs are where you are but for us, just our property taxes are $1200 a month. That doesn't include mortgage (we don't have one but most people do), utilities, repairs, upkeep, grounds, etc. $5,000 might very well be the cost to keep his home.
     
  14. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    Your property taxes are $14,400 a year?!? I've never heard of property taxes that high!
     
  15. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Yep. :tonofbricks:
     
  16. thisnumbersdisconnected

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    Thanks Ryan & Salty. I was in Columbia (not the one in South Carolina) watching

    [​IMG]

    get into the SEC championship game. Didn't have time or the inclination for CTB's nonsense.
     
  17. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    The military provides housing and substance or they provide BAH/BAS. If BAH and BAS is received (living in off-post housing and not utilizing the DFAC), then it is an entitlement which is non-taxable and is not included in total income. (Base pay excludes substance and housing which is provided by the military)
     
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