Both spouses employed by church

My husband is the senior pastor and I just came on staff as the ministey pastor. He already gets full housing beneft and pays his own FICA. Is there any benefit to me being classified as a pastor or would it be better to be a regular church employee and have the church pay half of my FICA?

Comments for Both spouses employed by church

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Church Cannot Withold and Match FICA on a Minister
by: Vickey

A church CANNOT withhold and match Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) from a minister's wages. A minister pays his Social Security and Medicare taxes under the SECA system.

Note: Social security and Medicare taxes are collected under two systems. Under the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA), the self-employed person pays all the taxes. Under the Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), the employee and the employer each pay half of the taxes. No earnings are subject to both systems.

Sounds like your husband pays his taxes correctly through the SECA system. You will need to do the same:)

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