The Shepherd's Wallet Podcast

Tax season is stressful for everyone. For pastors, it's a different kind of stress — because your tax situation is genuinely unlike anyone else's.

In this special episode, I'm sharing the audio from my recent live tax webinar, where I walked pastors through the clergy-specific tax issues that trip up even experienced CPAs: housing allowance optimization, dual tax status, self-employment tax, and the common mistakes that cost ministers money year after year.

If you've ever handed your return to a preparer and just hoped for the best — this one's for you.

In this episode:

• Why clergy taxes are in a category of their own

• How to know if your CPA actually understands clergy tax law
• What to do right now to protect yourself this tax season

Want the visuals? Watch the full webinar on YouTube (link below). And download my free Tax Professional Interview Guide to know exactly what to ask your preparer before you hand over your return.

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/yfhHpm5uCM0?si=RYQkThSBdK8jXqRD

📄 Tax Professional Interview Guide: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/tax-interview-guide

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.

In this episode, I highlight a SECA tax deduction that's been legitimate IRS policy since 1980 - but has the potential to fall through the cracks for ministers. Pastors can still deduct unreimbursed ministry expenses when calculating self-employment tax, even after TCJA eliminated those deductions for income tax purposes.I also break down exactly how the deduction works, what expenses qualify, and what you should do before filing your taxes this season.

FREE TAX WEBINAR: February 17, 2026, 1pm EST

Register Here: https://subscribepage.io/TaxWebinar2026

Resources mentioned:

• Pastor Tax Services: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/taxes
• Sacred Capital Community: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/join
• Full article: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/blog/the-clergy-tax-deduction-that-survived-tcja-and-most-pastors-dont-know-about

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.

Should pastors take sabbaticals? It seems like a simple question—but it's sparked heated debate in ministry circles. Some pastors feel guilty taking extended rest when their congregants don't get the same benefit. Others argue that sabbaticals are just poor boundary-setting dressed up in spiritual language.

In this episode, Seth pushes back on both objections. He makes the case that pastoral ministry isn't just demanding—it's different in kind from other professions. When your professional identity is fused with your spiritual identity, and your job is to lay down your life for your flock, the toll is deeper than boundaries alone can address.

You'll hear:

• Why the discomfort pastors feel about sabbaticals actually proves they need them
• The difference between managing people and caring for people—and why it matters
• Why "just set better boundaries" isn't the complete answer
• The biblical pattern for extended rest (it's older than you think)
• A simple 6% savings strategy to fund your own sabbatical—even without church support

Whether your first sabbatical was years ago or you needed one yesterday, this episode gives you both the permission and the plan.

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.

It's December, and lots of financial professionals are talking with their clients about Roth conversions—but is that the best strategy for pastors? In this episode, we break down the "Super-Roth" concept: how your church 403(b) combined with housing allowance in retirement can actually beat a traditional Roth in terms of pure tax efficiency. But there's a catch (there's always a catch), and it has everything to do with what happens when you pay off your mortgage. Learn how to think strategically about your 403(b) balance, when Roth conversions make more sense, and why the legacy factor might tip the scales.

Resources mentioned:

• Pastor Refinance Calculator: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/refinance-calculator
• Pastor Tax Review: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/taxreview
• Sacred Capital Community: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/join
• Full article: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/blog/should-pastors-do-roth-conversions

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.

Most CPAs who make errors with clergy tax returns aren't failing pastors out of incompetence—they're failing because the system never equipped them to succeed. In this episode, I walk through what clergy taxation looks like from a tax preparer's perspective, the proactive questions they'd need to ask (but probably won't), and a spectrum of responses if you suspect your preparer is in over their head.

Resources mentioned:

• Free Interview Guide: shepherdswallet.com/tax-interview-guide
• Contact for CPA consultations: shepherdswallet.com/contact or [email protected]
• Tax Mastery Training: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/taxes
• Sacred Capital Community: shepherdswallet.com/join
• Full article: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/blog/how-to-find-a-cpa-who-actually-understands-clergy-taxes

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.

Listen in as I make the case to your church board for investing in your financial wellness.

In this unique episode, I speak directly to church board members about why caring for their pastor's financial health isn't just compassionate – it's good stewardship. Pastors, this is designed for you to share with that "person of peace" on your board who could champion these changes.

I present a progressive action plan that any church can implement, starting with zero-cost corrections that save pastors thousands, moving through strategic investments that protect both church and pastor, and culminating in comprehensive care that prevents six-figure transition costs.

You'll discover:

• Why your pastor is your church's only appreciating asset
• The true cost of pastoral financial stress (hint: you're already paying it)
• Zero-cost fixes that save pastors thousands annually
• How key person insurance becomes a retirement blessing
• Three questions for your next board meeting

Whether you're a pastor hoping for change or a board member seeking wisdom, this 15-minute presentation could transform how your church approaches pastoral care.

Resources mentioned:

• Full Article: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/blog/what-pastoral-turnover-really-costs-your-church
• Free housing allowance calculator: shepherdswallet.com/housing-allowance-tool
• Pastor Financial Wellness Partnership: shepherdswallet.com/partnership
• Tax Review Service: shepherdswallet.com/taxreview
• Pre-order "Shepherding Your Finances": shepherdswallet.com/book

Perfect for sharing with board members, finance committees, and church leadership teams.

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.

What if a single conversation could save you $1,500 every year for the rest of your ministry? In this tactical episode, we walk through exactly how to ask your board for a SECA offset: the game-changing compensation adjustment that transforms pastors' tax disadvantage into an advantage.

You'll get word-for-word scripts for:

• Making your initial request
• Handling the top 5 objections (including "we can't afford it")
• Responding gracefully if they say no
• Following up effectively

Plus: Pre-meeting preparation, timing strategies, documentation needs, and what to do if you've opted out of Social Security.

Whether you're dreading this conversation or ready to advocate for yourself, this episode gives you the confidence and language to address pastoral tax inequity at your church.

Resources mentioned:

• Full article: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/blog/2-ways-churches-can-reverse-pastor-tax-disadvantage
• Free Tax Comparison Calculator: shepherdswallet.com/tax-calculator
• Sacred Capital Community: shepherdswallet.com/join

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.

Ever felt guilty keeping a receipt from a ministry lunch? Like somehow you're being "too worldly", or taking away from the earnestness of your ministry? You're not alone. Many pastors struggle with the tension between faithful ministry and financial wisdom, often to their family's detriment.

In this episode, we dismantle the false guilt around expense tracking and reveals why proper documentation isn't about greed—it's about honoring the sacred capital flowing through your ministry.

Resources mentioned:

📝 Full Article: https://www.shepherdswallet.com/blog/the-four-bucket-system-for-bivocational-ministers

👥Join the Sacred Capital Community (FREE): http://shepherdswallet.com/join

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.

Every parsonage pastor knows the sinking feeling: "Everyone else is building equity except me."

Today, I'm going to sit with you in that feeling—then show you why it's based on a lie. I've developed a simple strategy just for parsonage pastors that has the potential to build wealth faster than any mortgage ever could—all it takes is a mindset shift!

Resources mentioned:

📝 Full Article:

https://www.shepherdswallet.com/blog/the-phantom-mortgage-build-equity-in-a-parsonage

👥Join the Sacred Capital Community (FREE): ⁠https://shepherdswallet.com/join

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.

Think your housing allowance is free money? Think again. In this eye-opening episode, I reveal why treating your housing allowance like a spending target instead of a tax benefit could be sabotaging your financial future.

We'll explore:

• Why the "maximize at all costs" mentality is backwards
• The simple math that changes everything (hint: 12% off isn't free)
• The biblical perspective on stewardship vs. tax optimization
• How to think about your housing allowance the RIGHT way

Plus: Quick overview of how to properly calculate your Fair Rental Value.

Resources mentioned:📊 Free Housing Allowance Documentation Tool: https://shepherdswallet.com/housing-allowance-tool

📝 Detailed FRV Calculation Guide (blog post): https://www.shepherdswallet.com/blog/determining-fair-rental-value-2025

💰 Pastor Tax Review: https://shepherdswallet.com/taxreview

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.