Fringe benefits

By its nature, fringe benefit is the income of the recipient (employee), but paying income and social tax on the fringe benefit is the obligation of the person granting the benefit (employer). Fringe benefits i.e. benefits provided by the employer to the employee are subject to income tax at a rate of 20/80 and social tax at a rate of 33%.

Pursuant to subsection 1 of § 48 of the Income Tax Act, employers pay income tax on fringe benefits granted to employees.

Based on clause 7 of subsection 1 of § 2 of the Social Tax Act, social tax is paid on fringe benefits within the meaning of the Income Tax Act, expressed in monetary terms, and on income tax payable on fringe benefits.

Declaration

The period of taxation of fringe benefits is one calendar month. The employer declares the fringe benefits granted to employees and income and social tax calculated on fringe benefits during a calendar month in Annex 4 of the form TSD, which must be submitted together with the form TSD to the Tax and Customs Board by the 10th day of the month following the calendar month in which the fringe benefit was granted. The tax amount is paid to the bank account of the Tax and Customs Board by the same date at the latest.

Handbook - taxation of fringe benefits

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Home office utility expenses

When working in a home office, in agreement with the employee, the employer can reimburse the costs related to the use of the employee's home for work, such as electricity, communication services, water, etc. Incurring such expenses is not treated as covering the employee's housing expenses and as a fringe benefit, but the proportion of reimbursed expenses must be justified by the employer and the expenses incurred must be documented. Therefore, it is necessary to agree in advance between the employer and the employee, how much of the home expenses are related to home office. Since the expenses related to work are exempt from tax, all expenses must be reviewed by type on the invoice of utility expenses and assessed which expenses and to what extent are related to the performance of work.

For example, internet costs can be reimbursed exempt from tax only in the part of work use, while the amount of apartment association’s repair loan stated on the utility invoice cannot be reimbursed exempt from tax to an employee.

When using home as an office, sole proprietor’s utility expenses can also be included in the expenses related to the use of home for work. The proportion of costs must be justified and documented. On the invoice of utility expenses, all costs must be reviewed and evaluated by type, and the corresponding proportions must be calculated.

Last updated: 07.03.2024

Last updated: 09.04.2024

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