Introduction

Social security and Medicare taxes are collected under two systems. Under the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA), the self-employed person pays all the taxes. Under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), the employee and the employer each pay half of the taxes. No earnings are subject to both systems.

Table 1. Are You Covered Under FICA or SECA?

This publication covers the following topics about the collection of social security and Medicare taxes from members of the clergy and religious workers.

• Which earnings are taxed under SECA and which under FICA. (See Table 1 to determine whether FICA or SECA applies.)
• How a member of the clergy (minister, member of a religious order, or Christian Science practitioner) can apply for an exemption from self-employment tax.
• How to figure net earnings from self-employment.

This publication also covers certain income tax rules of interest to the clergy.

A comprehensive example shows filled-in forms for a minister who has income taxed under SECA, other income taxed under FICA, and income tax reporting of items specific to the clergy.

Note. In this publication, the term church is generally used in its generic sense and not in reference to any particular religion.

Comments and suggestions. We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.

You can e-mail us while visiting our web site at www.irs.gov.

You can write to us at the following address:

Internal Revenue Service
Technical Publications Branch
W:CAR:MP:FP:P
1111 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20224

We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone number, including the area code, in your correspondence.

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