Benefit Services

A collection of a lesser‑known options for U.S. ministers to handle their taxes. Because clergy have a dual tax status (treated as employees for income tax but self‑employed for Social Security/Medicare), they typically pay estimated quarterly taxes on their own. However, the “secret” is that ministers can fill out a W‑4 and ask their church to voluntarily withhold federal (and state/local) taxes from their pay. This can simplify tax payments by avoiding quarterly estimated filings, even though churches cannot withhold FICA for ministers. It suggests that voluntary withholding makes managing tax obligations easier and avoids quarterly deadlines.