Under Revenue’s Small Benefits Exemption Scheme you can give employees a small benefit of up to €500 in value, tax-free, each year. This benefit must not be in cash.
Possible tax saved
A person paying 40% PAYE will save up to €520 in tax by availing of this scheme.
Net after tax salary to pay for the voucher is €500
To get this cash in to your hand you need a gross salary €1,042
The difference of €542 is PAYE, USC and PRSI which would be deducted if you got this amount in a salary.
The employer also saves 10.75% Employers PRSI for people on the A class rate of PRSI - the majority of private sector employees.