Michigan · Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion
Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion in Michigan (2026)
Ministers can exclude from income the portion of compensation designated as a housing allowance, up to the lesser of actual housing expenses, fair market value, or the designated amount. Michigan has a flat 4.25% income tax, so a Michigan filer's combined marginal rate on the next dollar at $63,498 of income is about 16.25% (12% federal + 4.25% MI).
2026 savings example for Michigan
Planning estimate for a single filer earning $63,498 (Michigan median household income in LevyIO's state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income. Federal tax uses the 2026 IRS brackets after the $16,100 standard deduction; MI tax uses the state brackets in LevyIO's dataset and assumes the state follows the federal treatment.
Estimated total savings
$813
Federal savings
$600
$5,440 → $4,840 · 12% bracket
MI state savings
$213
$2,699 → $2,486 · 4.25% marginal
Combined marginal rate
16.25%
≈ $163 saved per $1,000 deducted
Federal × Michigan marginal rates (2026, single)
Gross-income ranges include the federal standard deduction. The MI column is the state marginal rate at the midpoint of each range. The last column is the tax saved per $1,000 deducted at that combined rate.
| Federal bracket | Gross income (single) | MI marginal | Combined | Per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $16,100 - $28,500 | 4.25% | 14.25% | $143 |
| 12% | $28,500 - $66,500 | 4.25% | 16.25% | $163 |
| 22% | $66,500 - $121,800 | 4.25% | 26.25% | $263 |
| 24% | $121,800 - $217,875 | 4.25% | 28.25% | $283 |
| 32% | $217,875 - $272,325 | 4.25% | 36.25% | $363 |
| 35% | $272,325 - $656,700 | 4.25% | 39.25% | $393 |
| 37% | Over $656,700 | 4.25% | 41.25% | $413 |
Eligibility & forms
Ministers and clergy who receive a housing allowance as part of compensation
- Must be ordained, licensed, or commissioned minister
- Allowance must be designated by employer in advance
- Limited to lesser of: actual expenses, FMV of home, or designated amount
Federal forms: Form 1040, Schedule SE
Michigan filing notes
Check if your city imposes additional income tax. Michigan offers homestead property tax credit. Pension income may qualify for subtraction. EITC and city-tax withholding should be verified from current Treasury forms.
Common mistakes: Not having allowance designated before payment; Exceeding the fair market value limitation; Forgetting to include for self-employment tax purposes.
Frequently asked questions
How much can the Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion save a Michigan taxpayer in 2026?
In LevyIO's example, a single filer with $63,498 of income (the Michigan median household income in our state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income saves about $600 in 2026 federal tax (12% marginal bracket) plus about $213 in Michigan tax (4.25% state marginal rate), roughly $813 combined. It is a planning estimate computed from the 2026 IRS brackets and LevyIO's MI bracket data, not a survey figure.
What is the Michigan income tax rate for 2026?
Michigan has a flat 4.25% income tax. The MI standard deduction in LevyIO's dataset is $0 single / $0 married. Flat 4.25%. Some cities add income tax. 2026 personal exemption $5,900 per taxpayer. No broad standard deduction.
Who qualifies for the Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion in Michigan?
Ministers and clergy who receive a housing allowance as part of compensation. The federal rules are the same in every state; the requirements are: Must be ordained, licensed, or commissioned minister; Allowance must be designated by employer in advance; Limited to lesser of: actual expenses, FMV of home, or designated amount. Michigan filers should confirm on the MI return whether the state follows the federal treatment.
Which forms do I file to claim the Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion?
Federal: Form 1040, Schedule SE. Michigan: check the Michigan Department of Treasury instructions for the matching state schedule. Common mistakes: Not having allowance designated before payment; Exceeding the fair market value limitation; Forgetting to include for self-employment tax purposes.
Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion in other states
Sources
Reviewed 2026-09-17. Estimates are educational planning figures computed from the IRS 2026 inflation adjustments and LevyIO's state bracket dataset; they are not tax advice.