Reward. Motivate. Save Tax.
Under Irish Revenue’s Small Benefits Scheme, employers can now reward employees with a non-cash bonus of up to €1000 in value completely tax free each year. Provided certain guidelines are followed neither the company nor the employee will pay PAYE, PRSI or USI, potentially saving €1,314 per employee in tax.
To qualify for the tax exemption, only two tax-free bonus may be paid to each employee in any one year up to a combined value of €1,000. If more than two bonuses are given in a year, it is only the first two that will qualify for tax-free status. The tax-free bonus must be paid in non-cash form.
There is no paperwork and no return to be made to avail of the scheme. Companies (or sole traders) are simply invoiced for the total value of tax-free vouchers ordered. The invoice is treated as a normal business expenses for accountancy purposes, and there is no need to adjust payroll in any way – provided the above rules are followed. Business owners and director can also benefit from the scheme.