How do I deduct my church service expenses as a lay minister in a church?

[jdbies52]

I do not see how to deduct my church service expenses as a lay minister in TurboTax Delux, please tell my how to correct do this.

[JulieCo · Accepted solution]

If you are referencing being able to deduct mileage, meals or other supply expenses in relation to charity work done for your church, they can be entered in the Charitable Donations section of TurboTax on the "mileage and travel expenses" screen.  Please note the deductions for SERVICES provided (meaning time provided) to a charitable organization are not allowed, therefore there is not anywhere to record that type of expense.

To find this place to enter your lay minister expenses (mileage, meals, supplies), take the following steps:

1. Select the Deductions & Credits tab at the top of your screen in TurboTax.  
2. If asked, say you will "choose what you want to work on."  
3. Scroll down to  Charitable Donations.  
4. Select Start/Update for Donations to Charity 2017.  
5. Add the name of your church as a charity.  
6. Select to Add Mileage and travel expenses.  See sample screenshot attached.
7. On the next screen, enter your total mileage for charity work for the church.  Then on the travel expense line, enter the total of any travel, meals, supplies or other expenses that were donated to the church, along with a brief description.  (Note that for travel expenses for a charity, you cannot deduct the expenses if there is a significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation involved in the travel. You must have substantial duties connected with the charitable organization while you're there.)  See sample screenshot attached.