Legis Daily

Clergy Act

USA119th CongressHR-227| House 
| Updated: 1/7/2026
Vince Fong

Vince Fong

Republican Representative

California

Cosponsors (21)
Adrian Smith (Republican)Gregory F. Murphy (Republican)Darin LaHood (Republican)Mike Carey (Republican)Claudia Tenney (Republican)Beth Van Duyne (Republican)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Nathaniel Moran (Republican)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Rudy Yakym (Republican)Lloyd Smucker (Republican)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Mike Kelly (Republican)Ron Estes (Republican)Jim Costa (Democratic)Julia Letlow (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)Mike Thompson (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation creates a specific window for certain religious professionals to opt back into Social Security. Duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers, members of religious orders, and Christian Science practitioners who previously elected an exemption from Social Security coverage may revoke that exemption. The application for revocation must be filed no later than the due date of their federal income tax return for their second taxable year beginning after December 31, 2027. Once revoked, the decision is permanent , and individuals cannot again apply for an exemption. The revocation can be effective for either the applicant's first or second taxable year beginning after December 31, 2027, and for all subsequent years. If the application is filed late for a specific year, it must include full payment of all self-employment taxes that would have been owed for that year without the exemption. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, develop a plan to inform eligible individuals about this opportunity to revoke their exemption.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5904
Clergy Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6068
Clergy Act
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 7, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Feb 19, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-639
Introduced in Senate
Dec 10, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 10, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
Jan 7, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 370.
Jan 7, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5904
    Clergy Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6068
    Clergy Act


  • January 7, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 7, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.


  • February 19, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-639
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 10, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • December 10, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.


  • January 7, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 370.


  • January 7, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425.

Social Welfare

Congressional oversightIncome tax exclusionReligionSocial security and elderly assistanceTax administration and collection, taxpayers

Clergy Act

USA119th CongressHR-227| House 
| Updated: 1/7/2026
This legislation creates a specific window for certain religious professionals to opt back into Social Security. Duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers, members of religious orders, and Christian Science practitioners who previously elected an exemption from Social Security coverage may revoke that exemption. The application for revocation must be filed no later than the due date of their federal income tax return for their second taxable year beginning after December 31, 2027. Once revoked, the decision is permanent , and individuals cannot again apply for an exemption. The revocation can be effective for either the applicant's first or second taxable year beginning after December 31, 2027, and for all subsequent years. If the application is filed late for a specific year, it must include full payment of all self-employment taxes that would have been owed for that year without the exemption. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, develop a plan to inform eligible individuals about this opportunity to revoke their exemption.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5904
Clergy Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6068
Clergy Act
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 7, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Feb 19, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-639
Introduced in Senate
Dec 10, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 10, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
Jan 7, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 370.
Jan 7, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5904
    Clergy Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6068
    Clergy Act


  • January 7, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 7, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.


  • February 19, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-639
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 10, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • December 10, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.


  • January 7, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 370.


  • January 7, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425.
Vince Fong

Vince Fong

Republican Representative

California

Cosponsors (21)
Adrian Smith (Republican)Gregory F. Murphy (Republican)Darin LaHood (Republican)Mike Carey (Republican)Claudia Tenney (Republican)Beth Van Duyne (Republican)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Nathaniel Moran (Republican)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Rudy Yakym (Republican)Lloyd Smucker (Republican)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Mike Kelly (Republican)Ron Estes (Republican)Jim Costa (Democratic)Julia Letlow (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)Mike Thompson (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee

Social Welfare

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightIncome tax exclusionReligionSocial security and elderly assistanceTax administration and collection, taxpayers