You imply that the housing allowance a congregation gives to a minister is “equal” to the full cost of the mortgage, but there is no evidence of that, one way or the other. It is totally up to the congregation. And, the MINISTER does pay FICA taxes on any housing allowance received as well as on any cash salary.
While I am not saying anything to necessarily support continuing to give ministers the housing allowance deduction, but do feel the need to clarify misunderstandings about it. Like some of yours.
I imagine Congress might do something to counter the court’s ruling. The churches, including organizations of most all the Christians and Jewish churches, have some large lobbying organizations in which they are acting together lobbying Congress to help protect their and their employees interest in the tax code.
No, I really didn’t imply that at all. And I think it is irrelevant. There is no reason for ministers to be treated differently than other employees when it comes to tax code. Period.
And I don’t have any misunderstandings—you seem to have some challenges in reading comprehension.
(And hey, if I benefited from such a huge tax deduction I’d probably talk myself into reasons to defend it too.)