In principle, cash gift cards from an employer are not covered by the de minimis limit for small employee benefits, regardless of the reason for which it is given.<\/p>\n
Therefore, an employee must be taxed on a regular gift card.<\/p>\n
In order for a gift card to be issued as a gift in kind – which is not taxed by an employee – a number of criteria must be met. In individual cases, Skat makes a specific assessment of whether the gift can be considered a gift in kind or can be equated with cash. Only if it can be considered a gift in kind can it be covered by the de minimis limit for small employee benefits.<\/p>\n
Gift cards etc. can be considered a gift in kind if the gift card:<\/p>\n
1. cannot be exchanged for cash, and<\/p>\n
2. has sufficiently limited applicability.<\/p>\n
Make sure the value of the gift card doesn’t exceed the de minimis limit for small employee benefits. This is 1.300,- for an employee (for a full year), or 900,- for a Christmas gift (per 2023)<\/p>\n
Make sure the gift card has a specific content. For example, it could be a specific menu or a specific stay.<\/p>\n
However, the gift recipient can have a certain degree of freedom of choice without the gift being equated to cash. Just as there can be some freedom of choice when the gift is otherwise limited to a specific service, such as a three-course meal at a named restaurant or an overnight stay for two people, with some freedom of choice in terms of which hotel.<\/p>\n
Your terms and conditions already state that gift cards issued to businesses cannot be exchanged for cash. This is stated in the following wording in your terms and conditions:<\/p>\n