do ministers have to pay income tax?

[Syrinx]

I know that churches are exempt from paying taxes, which I'm not so sure I agree with. But I was wondering... do ministers have to pay personal income taxes on the income that they receive from their congregations? It's just something random that I'm wondering about. :shrug:

[Obamanaut]

1. Two of my BILs do. Both Baptist ministers. They get salaries, and

all the normal deductions are taken.

[Syrinx]

2. thanks

It was just something I was curious about and had never really thought about before. And you know, I think it's great for little churches that do real good in their communities to get a break on taxes, but a lot of the mega-churches that make millions of dollars promoting hate and division, I think should be made to cough up the dough.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. Only on what they report. Not on what they steal.

I'm a little biased. I worked in the business office of a car dealer. We used to get "church people" always trying to scam on sales taxes. I had one Catholic priest trade his Park Avenue every year for one the same color so his "flock" wouldn't be wise that he was getting a new car. He would bring in a paper bag with small denominations. IIRC, it was about $8k to trade year to year.

[Syrinx]

4. lol

I can't imagine paying 8k a year to update to a nearly identical car, since I spend about 2k for a car I hope will last for 8 years. :)

[Obamanaut]

5. LOL. nt

[lillypaddle]

6. I'm an accountant & work for a CPA

Yes, they pay taxes on the salaries they earn as ministers.