The Shepherd's Wallet Podcast

Navigate Tax Season Without Losing Your Peace

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.

The SECA Deduction Many Pastors Don't Know About

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.

Why Sabbaticals Aren't Selfish: A Case for Pastoral Rest

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.

The Super-Roth: Why Your 403(b) Might Be Your Best Retirement Tool

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.

What Your CPA Doesn't Know to Ask About Your Taxes

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