Court strikes down clergy tax break

This is going to create lots of debate.

 

This does not affect anyone yet and it may never.

 

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

 

Actually I have no problem with this. I do not think the government should be subsidizing churches or ministers.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Wouldn't that be like parsonages?

 

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.

 

Your property taxes are $14,400 a year?!? I've never heard of property taxes that high!

 

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



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