Phillip1
New Member

Deductions & credits

If I am understanding correctly, you have a full time job and you serve as an unpaid pastor for your church.

If this is correct, you cannot deduct your pastor related expenses as self-employment expenses. You may be able to deduct some of your pastor related expenses (like things you buy for the church) as charitable donations (assuming the church has a 501(c)(3) designation) and you could take the charitable mileage deduction for miles you drive for church duties.

If, however, being a pastor is your full time job and you make your income through the church, you could deduct you pastor expenses as self-employment expenses.

Whether or not you earn income as a pastor is the main factor that determines whether you can deduct expenses as self-employment expenses or take some of the expenses as charitable donations.