Unsigned, this is your tax bill. Not the church’s.

Your housing allowance only counts if your board designates it in writing before the year starts. Miss December 31 and it cannot be backdated, patched, or argued. The whole amount becomes taxable income on your return, and the church never feels it.

Most pastors have never seen their own resolution.

Twelve questions. No sign-up, no email, nothing collected. You will see where your church stands before you tell us who you are.

What this checks

Twelve items church boards are responsible for: the housing allowance resolution, clergy FICA, accountable reimbursement, worker classification, benevolence documentation, offering controls, donor acknowledgments, background checks, conflict of interest statements, compensation approval, and facility rental exposure.

What it is based on

IRC Section 107 and IRS Publication 517 for the housing allowance. IRC Section 4958 for compensation approval. IRS worker classification tests and the substantiation rules under Section 170(f)(8) for donor acknowledgments. We cite the rule behind every item so you can check our work.

Who we are

My Church Compliance is run from Lakeland, Florida by people who work with churches and nonprofits on governance and operations. We are not a law firm and not a CPA firm, and we say so plainly. What we provide is a checklist, document templates, and a calendar so the deadlines stop sneaking up on you. Anything we give you should be reviewed by your own CPA or attorney before your board adopts it.

Clergy compensation

Has your board adopted a written housing allowance resolution for 2027?

Does your church withhold Social Security and Medicare from the pastor's pay?

Ministers pay these themselves through SECA. Withholding them is a common and costly error.

Is there a written accountable reimbursement plan for staff expenses?

1 / 3

Workers and money

Do you pay anyone as a 1099 contractor who works a regular schedule you set?

Nursery workers, custodians, worship musicians, and office help are the usual ones.

Is there a written benevolence policy with eligibility criteria?

Does more than one unrelated person handle counting and depositing offerings?

Do donor acknowledgment letters go out with the required IRS language by January 31?

2 / 3

Governance and safety

Are background checks current for everyone working with minors?

Do board members sign an annual conflict of interest statement?

Was the pastor's compensation approved by a board without the pastor voting?

IRS Section 4958 treats this as the safeguard against excess benefit.

Does the church rent space to any outside group or business?

3 / 3

YOUR RESULT

Where your church stands

Fix the urgent one tonight

Tell us two things and we will fill in your 2027 housing allowance resolution, ready for your board to adopt. Free, and we only ask now because the document needs the names on it.

Email is optional. Leave it blank and you still get the document.

How to actually get it adopted

Fill in the two dollar amounts. The housing figure is the lesser of what your pastor expects to spend on housing, or the fair rental value of the home furnished plus utilities.
Put it on the next board agenda. It needs a vote at a meeting with a quorum, before January 1. A hallway conversation does not count.
Record it in the minutes and keep the signed original with the permanent records.
Tell whoever runs payroll. The housing portion stays out of Box 1 of the W-2.

The resolution includes an evergreen clause, so it carries into future years if the board forgets. The amount should still be reviewed annually.

SO IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN

We watch all twelve, every year.

$79

per month · cancel any time

November: next year's housing allowance resolution arrives filled in, before the deadline
January: donor acknowledgment language and deadline reminder
Anytime you hire: worker classification checked before the first paycheck
Rolling: background check expirations tracked and flagged 30 days out
Every policy you're missing, written and ready for board adoption
Once a year: a one-page report your board can put in the minutes

Ask a question first

My Church Compliance
Lakeland, Florida

hello@mychurchcompliance.com

Important. This check is an educational self-assessment and the documents provided are templates. They are not legal or tax advice, and no professional relationship is created by using this tool. Church compliance rules vary by state and by circumstance. Have your own CPA or attorney review anything before your board adopts it.