Mail order ordained Ministers

[Stan R]

The thread that was just started by Mitchbcs (congrads) about Who on TBH has the ability to marry someone.. got me the thinking about what it took to become and odrained ministry... Man there is a whole industry out there offuer to ordain you for a fee.... I was shocked... but got a good laugh out of some of the comments.... this website.. http://www.universalministries.com/ would ordain you fro FREE they did not care what you believed in ad long as you believed in something even if that was nothing Others charge a fee... It appears that it makes you a legal miniister can do wedding, etc, Once even offered 5 free baptism certificates... Most said it meet the IRS rules for being a minister... Never thought this would be such a big business.

[Johnny Dangerr]

Wonder if there are any tax benefits???

[SmTx]

Wonder if there are any tax benefits???

Could probably be ordained and host "services" at your residence and get a property tax break.

[woody wood]

Tnik, Is that you???

[41Chevy]

Religion is very big business. Billions are made.

[dustoffer]

Ordained ministers may opt out of Social Security, and their actual documented housing expenses are not taxable, to include mortgage or rent, utilities, internet, phone, insurance, etc. Also can get a non-taxable reimbursement of their documented job-related expenses.

[chuck]

Ordained ministers may opt out of Social Security, and their actual documented housing expenses are not taxable, to include mortgage or rent, utilities, internet, phone, insurance, etc. Also can get a non-taxable reimbursement of their documented job-related expenses.

I pay social security and am not allowed to opt out, but housing expenses can be 100% deducted providing adequate documentation and housing allowance cannot exceed 50% of total compensation.

For those of us who don't make a fortune, it's a good deal. For those that do, it's a better one. I hope to live and serve long enough to pay back what my trip to ordination cost. For some it costs $25, for mine it was closer to $150k.

[Bill]

Can you say "IRS audit"?

Bet ya a dollar you get audited if you do it, that's also called fraud. Wish it was that easy to avoid paying taxes.

[steel shot]

Can you say "IRS audit"?

Bet ya a dollar you get audited if you do it, that's also called fraud. Wish it was that easy to avoid paying taxes.

Bingo! I wouldnt even try it.