Tax Consequences of Giving Your Employees a Holiday Gift

Article Highlights:

  • De Minimis Fringe Benefits 
  • Cash Gifts 
  • Gift Certificates 
  • Group Meals 
  • FICA and Wage Withholding 
It is common practice this time of year for employers to give employees gifts. Where the gift is infrequently offered and has a fair market value so low that it is impractical and unreasonable to account for it, the gift’s value would be treated as a de minimis fringe benefit. As such it would be tax-free to the employee and tax deductible by the employer.

A gift of cash, regardless of the amount, is considered additional wages and subject to employment taxes (FICA) and withholding taxes. Caution: if the gift recipient is a W-2 employee, the employer may not issue them a 1099-MISC for a holiday gift of cash; the amount must be treated as W-2 income. Where an employer gives gift certificates, debit cards or similar items that are convertible to cash, the value is considered additional wages regardless of the amount. However, if the gift is a coupon that is nontransferable and convertible only into a turkey, ham, gift basket, or the like at a particular establishment, the gift coupon would not be treated as a cash equivalent.

Holiday group meals, cocktail parties, picnics or the like for employees are also treated as de minimis fringe benefits.

If you have questions about holiday gifts to employees, please give this office a call.



Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .
I consent to receive SMS messages

Our Office

2112 Randolph Ct., Antioch, California 94509

Our Additional Locations

Our expertise is widespread and we have multiple office locations to make it convenient for you to get help. You can find us at:

San Jose Office

333 W San Carlos St. Ste 600
San Jose, CA 95110

Palo Alto Office

3000 El Camino Real
Building 4 Ste 200
Palo Alto CA 94306

San Francisco Office

44 Montgomery St Ste 300
San Francisco, CA 94104

San Diego Office

600 B Street Ste 300
San Diego, CA 92101
Let Aldea Tax Services Inc relieve your tax & accounting stress today.
Antioch-based Tax & Accounting Experts and Proud Partner of ADP.