When a state law conflicts with a federal law, the federal law wins. That, in a nutshell is the doctrine of preemption.
Example â #1 â this pastor receives a cash salary of $45,000 per year and lives in a church owned parsonage with a monthly Fair Market Rental Value (FMRV) of $1600; the annual FMRV is $19,200. The church pays the utilities (which they should) that amount to $2,800 per year.His annual self-employment tax (Social Security) will amount to $9,467 ($45,000 + 19,200 + 2,800 = $67,000 x 92.35% = $61,875 x 15.3% = $9,467) of which the church agrees to pay $6,500 (9.8% of $67,000).. Life Insurance â $100,000 of term life insurance, paid by the church, with the wife as beneficiary â this protects the church and provides for the family upon a premature death. The church can pay the premiums on the policy but only the premium on the first $50,000 is a tax-free fringe benefit.
Chaplains working for community agencies providing food, housing and emergency and relief services are paid the least, averaging $35,050 per year. Chaplains working for the federal government are paid the most, receiving $73,020 per year.