Taxes and Retirement Guaranteed!

Two weeks into my first pastor position, the church treasurer walked into my office and proudly handed me my first paycheck. While I had worked various jobs growing up, this was my first as an adult. I was proud of that monumental moment.

As she turned to leave my office, she said words I’ll never forget: “Don’t forget to take your taxes out of that.”

Stunned, I was unsure how to respond. Finally, I muttered something like, “That’s your job, isn’t it?”

“Nope. As a pastor you’re considered self-employed. That’s your responsibility.”

Four years of college classes with a dual-degree in ministry, and that off-hand comment from a church treasurer was the first I had ever been told about pastors being self-employed. I instantly ran to my local tax preparer’s office for more guidance.

Can I confess something?

Over the next twenty plus years of ministry experience, pastoral tax obligations still don’t make much sense to me.

Housing allowances, self-employment taxes, retirement planning—it all feels a little overwhelming.

That’s why MB Foundation provides resources to guide pastors and churches through these complex situations. Navigate the ever-changing tax regulations with the help of the 2026 Tax & Financial Guides. Click below to download the guides today! Additionally, we partner with GuideStone to provide the MB Associational 403(b) Retirement Plan to assist pastors in stewarding their finances for the future.

Justin Hiebert, Ministry Representative