Mississippi · Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion
Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion in Mississippi (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. Mississippi has a flat 4% income tax, so a Mississippi filer's combined marginal rate on the next dollar at $48,610 of income is about 16% (12% federal + 4% MS).
2026 savings example for Mississippi
Planning estimate for a single filer earning $48,610 (Mississippi 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; MS tax uses the state brackets in LevyIO's dataset and assumes the state follows the federal treatment.
Estimated total savings
$800
Federal savings
$600
$3,653 → $3,053 · 12% bracket
MS state savings
$200
$1,452 → $1,252 · 4% marginal
Combined marginal rate
16%
≈ $160 saved per $1,000 deducted
Federal × Mississippi marginal rates (2026, single)
Gross-income ranges include the federal standard deduction. The MS 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) | MS marginal | Combined | Per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $16,100 - $28,500 | 4% | 14% | $140 |
| 12% | $28,500 - $66,500 | 4% | 16% | $160 |
| 22% | $66,500 - $121,800 | 4% | 26% | $260 |
| 24% | $121,800 - $217,875 | 4% | 28% | $280 |
| 32% | $217,875 - $272,325 | 4% | 36% | $360 |
| 35% | $272,325 - $656,700 | 4% | 39% | $390 |
| 37% | Over $656,700 | 4% | 41% | $410 |
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
Mississippi filing notes
Use the 2026 4% rate above $10,000, not older 4.4% or 4.7% assumptions. Standard deduction is $2,300 single / $4,600 married. Verify retirement exclusions and current forms before filing.
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 Mississippi taxpayer in 2026?
In LevyIO's example, a single filer with $48,610 of income (the Mississippi 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 $200 in Mississippi tax (4% state marginal rate), roughly $800 combined. It is a planning estimate computed from the 2026 IRS brackets and LevyIO's MS bracket data, not a survey figure.
What is the Mississippi income tax rate for 2026?
Mississippi has a flat 4% income tax. The MS standard deduction in LevyIO's dataset is $2,300 single / $4,600 married. Tax year 2026 rate: 0% on first $10,000 of taxable income and 4% above $10,000. Low property taxes and low cost of living.
Who qualifies for the Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion in Mississippi?
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. Mississippi filers should confirm on the MS 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. Mississippi: check the Mississippi Department of Revenue 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.