Parsonage Exemption Ruling Now Under Appeal

In one of three FFRF lawsuits against the IRS challenging religious preferential treatment by the federal government, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled on November 22nd, 2013 that the 1954 housing credit allowance given to “ministers of the gospel” is unconstitutional.  Under the current provision, ministers of religious faith may use an untaxed portion of their income toward housing rent or the purchase of a home.

This ruling in favor of FFRF is now under appeal by numerous religious groups in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, with oral arguments being made in Chicago on September 9th, 2014.

Between 2002 – 2007 alone, clergy in the United States had saved an estimated $2.3 billion in taxes.  This decision will have huge ramifications regarding religious privilege given by our government in this country.

To read more about the Barbara Crabb decision, please click here