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1. Notify Missionary Resources you are ordained/commissioned; include copy of your certificate |
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Whom to email: hr@reliant.org
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2. Update your job description |
Details: Send in a new job description reflecting your responsibilities as a commissioned or ordained minister. Resources: Whom to email: hr@reliant.org
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2. Read Zondervan Minister's Tax and Financial Guide |
Details: Once we receive your email, we will send you this book. Use it as a starting point for educating yourself on the issues of Social Security tax, parsonage allowance, Social Security exemption and other financial topics on being a minister. |
3. Consult a tax professional as needed |
Details: We strongly encourage you to talk with a professional who is up-to-date on current practices in this field. Reliant is unable to offer tax advice for your specific situation.
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4. Complete a Parsonage Request form |
Details: Once your parsonage amount has been approved, it will become effective on the next applicable pay period. To change your parsonage amount in the future, simply complete a new Parsonage Request form and email it to hr@reliant.org for approval. Dave Meldrum-Green, our director of Organizational Affairs & treasurer, reviews and approves all parsonage requests. See Parsonage for more information. Resources:
Whom to email: hr@reliant.org
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5. Understand your new employment status |
Details: You are now considered "self-employed" by Reliant for purposes of Social Security and Medicare. Reliant will stop withholding FICA taxes and paying the employer portion on your behalf. FICA tax includes portions for Social Security and Medicare, and the tax rate for 2015 earnings was 15.3%. Resources: Chapter 6 in Zondervan Minister's Tax and Financial Guide |
6. Make a well-informed decision about Social Security |
Details: Ministers are granted the ability to opt out of Social Security if they meet certain requirements. By default you will remain in the system. A decision to opt out must be based on conscience, not convenience. Remember, you cannot make the decision to opt out simply because you think you can achieve a better investment return on those funds elsewhere (economic reasons). Reliant is not able to assist you with this decision. It is a completely personal decision. You may also want to talk with other ministers who have dealt with this option. A minister is fully responsible for social security taxes until he receives certification from the IRS that his/her opt-out request has been granted. Resources: Chapter 6 in Zondervan Minister's Tax and Financial Guide |
7. Notify Missionary Resources about your decision |
Details: If you are opting out of Social Security, your email must explicitly state, “I am opting out of the Social Security System because I am conscientiously opposed to public insurance as a minister.” Whom to email: hr@reliant.org
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