Thank you Sara for the kind words and encouragement! After looking back over my post, I wasn't very clear...shouldn't try to answer posts while babysitting 3 granddaughters hyped up on sugar:)
You are correct. The income tax exclusion from ministry-related income would be the least of the 3 amounts.
For example, if the actual eligible housing expenses for the time of employment was $4000, and the actual amount paid for a HA was $4800, and the FMV was $4400...the amount claimed as an exclusion would only be $4000 and the remaining $800 would be reported as extra income.
Oops! by: Sara
Vickey, I take back the first part of my previous message. There is an "or" and "least of" in your answer. My deepest apologizes!
I do not mean to offend. by: Sara
Vickey, should the words "or" or "the least of" be somewhere in your answer. Or, can you actually exclude all three? It can be difficult to be exactly sure what someone is answering because the person may have omitted words, fuzzy sentence structure, syntax issues, etc. But please do not get me wrong, I find your blog very useful and so far do not know what I would do without you and everyone who have taken the time to share so generously with people like me who lack your knowledge and shared with an abundance of patience. Please keep up the good work! From one who respect each and every one of you. I am still learning. Thank you! Thank You! Blessings, one and all! We are a small church and received much information from this site. May God be with you.
Housing Allowance Only for Employment Period by: Vickey
No. You will only be able to count eligible housing expenses during the time of your employment. So assuming you were being paid a housing allowance as of the first of January, you would only be able to claim an exclusion on the lesser of the actual housing expense for approx 4 months, the actual amount paid as a housing allowance for the 4 months, or the fair market rental value plus furnishings and utilities prorated for 4 months.