Tax advice in forming church/ministry?

Posted by admin on February 6th, 2010 and filed under church ministry | 2 Comments »

I’m an ordained minister of a mainline denom. After 10 yrs, I want to go out on my own, but with a twist.

Through a contact, we want to offer companies access to a chaplain on an as need basis as an employee benefit. He already offers benefit and incentive programs through his company.

The question is, can I form a church that enjoys a legit tax-exempt status, offer my services to my friend’s company (and his clients) as a ministry of that church, have the CHURCH charge for the ministry much like many churches do for conferences and such, and then have the church pay me a salary as an employee where I can have a portion of that salary designated as housing allowance (non-taxed). The church would then also pay any travel expenses, reducing my taxable income even more.

Pls only serious answers. I’m just trying to take advantage of the LAW. I don’t want to skirt it.

BTW, I do have ppl wanting me to start a church. I would minister to them as well.

as a fellow minister I understand the plight of credability,and I will give you this advice.
contact a good church 501c3 organazation there are programs that will help you with this problem.
also see a good cpa.
get second and third opinions
main offices of your denomination should help you
with this.
God bless you !

2 Responses

  1. luvdady Says:

    as a fellow minister I understand the plight of credability,and I will give you this advice.
    contact a good church 501c3 organazation there are programs that will help you with this problem.
    also see a good cpa.
    get second and third opinions
    main offices of your denomination should help you
    with this.
    God bless you !
    References :

  2. wartz Says:

    Your business plan sounds like you will be offering what amounts to a counseling service with religious overtones. My former employer offered an employee assistance program which included this as a feature.

    My take is that it would be classified as a for profit business and that ministerial counseling should be offered to members of the congregation, not the paying public at large.
    References :

Leave a Comment

Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.