If this ruling holds up, it is going to send shock waves through most LCMS congregations and across our clergy roster.
Also, see my posts at 12, 13, 16, and 17.
good. this has been abused for too long. I know plenty of “pastors” who claim to be “pastors” so they can deduct their entire mortgage. I bet you do too. Jessie Jackson for one.
Now, the daughter is also going to try the trick..
The downside is that these types of laws were the basis for military housing allowances being tax free (at least back in the dark ages when I served).
Given 0bama's hatred of the military, I can see him going after the troops.
This is going to be a mess. The exemption is there to put clergy who pay for their own residences on par with those who live in parish property for free, or priests who live in Church facilities.
Clergy who live in parish or Church property may be next.
I know that some of these housing allowances I saw on some books were in the thousands ..not a bad gig.. like 50 of those thousands for housing. not including a salary..... sounds like a rather large loophole for tax evasion... nice religious folks earning over six figures for their lord...hallelujah...some atheists and believers could live off those housing allowances alone.. preaching some gospels is good business.....
Eliminate all exemptions for all income, reduce the tax code to a simple percent of gross income and be done with it. If that won’t work, (and it won’t) then eliminate income tax completely, especially the unfair graduated silliness we now endure; institute a flat federal tax based on the GNP. If that won’t work, (and it won’t) shutter everything federal except National defense, Dept of State, etc as outlined in the US Constitution. Remind the feds that everything else not granted to the fed/national gov is the responsibility of the states or the people themselves. How radical.
Atheists in Madison strike again!
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
There was a time and a place for it. When Pastors lacked enough compensation to live on because the church was too poor to pay enough. But, today? Still possible, of course, as I know some who have tiny churches. However, when you think about the average church, they should do their best to pay the pastor a living salary, or allow time for him to hold a part-time job. Think of Paul. Anyway, there is much abuse these days and probably a good reason to do away with it to prevent fraud. Obviously, these people who perpetrate the fraud have no conscience to be pricked with their duplicity. Sorry state that is!
In 2010 Judge Barbara Crabb sided with the atheists (and against the Family Research Council) that the National Day of Prayer is unconsitutional.
That is an understatement. As a PPP (Poorly Paid Pastor) myself, and for many of the pastors I know, this will be a severe blow financially. Most pastors in my Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are significantly underpaid as it is, and this now will add to our distress. Thanks, Obama!
If this ruling holds up, it is going to send shock waves through most LCMS congregations and across our clergy roster.
Also, see my posts at 12, 13, 16, and 17.
I’ll say right off the top that I advocate a flat tax structure. One with a zero bracket for all who have modest earnings, and a moderate tax rate on all earnings above that. Picking and choosing what income (or non-cash benefit) to exempt from taxes not only results in a larger tax burden on those who do pay taxes, it corrupts taxation by encouraging special interest groups to lobby for tax exemptions, and to make campaign contributions and so forth. In the end, the value of the exemptions is dissipated in influencing the tax structure. Its a fools game. It how the politicians pit us against us. “Remember who the real enemy is.”
It is common. My FIL who has NEVER had a church but is an ordained minister in a main stream religion claims it.
You must associate with honorable people. I used to be like you, thinking most people were honorable. Most people are NOT honorable.
In reading this article and the posted comments, I noticed that there were no references to the Catholic Church. Now maybe they are impacted just like the Protestant religions, and they just weren’t mentioned. Somehow, I sense that is not the case.
I’m fairly sure that most pastors and priests live in a diocese-owned rectory, so a “housing allowance” wouldn’t appear to be in order, since they wouldn’t actually be paying the mortgage out of their salary. But maybe there’s more to it. If anyone has a complete and more accurate answer to this question I’d like to hear it.
This provision of the tax code applies to only two categories of persons: military officers and ordained clergy.
The latter may claim housing allowance only for income received in performance of sacredotal duties (ie, not for teaching religion in a community college); and then only up to the amount established by the governing body prior to payment or the actual expenses, whichever is less.
At one time there was a third limitation, that of the “fair market rental value” of the house plus utilities, but that was abolished by the SCOTUS in U.S. vs. Warren.
Warren is Rev. Rick “The Purpose-Driven Life” Warren.
Laws should apply to everyone equally, including "the poor."
People who don't have skin in the game never meet a tax they don't like.
…that’s FEDERAL judge. 0bama appointee?
Not to argue with the ruling but I would like to know who the plaintive is and how they have any standing. So many attempts to enforce Constitutional limitations on the federal government or to seek the qualification of Obama to be president have been thrown out on procedural grounds because of lack of standing. How does the plaintive here have standing?
Eliminate income tax altogether.
Urban Black preachers have always been reliable in delivering votes for the liberals. It will be interesting to see if this has any impact on that dynamic.