While Covid-19 seems to be yesterday's news, the main concern at the moment is about fresh snow. So before a cold winter and skyrocketing energy costs. The state countered this with relief packages. Employers should be able to transfer 3,000 euros to their employees tax-free. Is there a right to that?
The world has felt like it has been reeling from one crisis to the next for around 36 months. With partly dramatic consequences for togetherness and also for one's own existence. Or who would have thought not too long ago that society now classifies people by whether they are vaccinated or not? Or that more than 2 spades are necessary? Or that people who have been vaccinated four times can also become infected with Corona and happily spread the virus? The fewest. And just as few are now interested in the topic and its socio-political processing. Yesterday's snow, so to speak.
Meanwhile, something else pinches: the fear of fresh snow or a cold winter. The starting point was the war in Ukraine. First noted with horror in disbelief, then morally condemned, only to feel the effects in your own wallet. In the form of extremely high energy costs and inflation rates for all kinds of everyday goods that have not been seen in the past 50 years. This is worrying and makes the inconveniences of a cold winter in the past seem trivial. In the meantime, the whole thing has been declared a question of existence and has become a matter for the boss.
The federal government is bravely countering this with relief packages for its citizens. The latest hit: Employers should again be able - as during the pandemic - to transfer money to their employees tax-free in order to help them pay their heating costs. This time the amount was even doubled from 1500 to 3000 euros.
Basically, it can be said that a few warm words from the boss are usually good enough on their own. And often not. Unsurprisingly, regular surveys show that many employees find it extremely important to express their appreciation of their superiors. After all, even the good soldier would like to be scratched behind the ear. And as we have known and felt for a few months now, we have been at war for half a year. Even if luckily only the prices explode in this country.
This alone could have a relieving effect, but it does not. Because your own concern is always the most pressing. And for some, the increased cost of living has actually become a matter of survival. In this respect, any government help is welcome. And even employees who are less threatened would certainly not reject such a gift of money. Because maybe the third vacation of the year can be saved in this way.
Which brings us finally to the question of whether employees are entitled to the tax-free 3000 euros at all. Short answer: unfortunately no. The employer does not have to pay the lump sum. But he can. If he feels like it or if the company's financial situation allows it. Then he actually has nothing to do other than enter the bonus in the "tax-free allowance" wage type. If the payment marked in this way is made within a period that has yet to be defined, then it is completely exempt from tax and social security.
Aha. Isn't it at least possible to establish a moral claim to the money? Possibly, but it should be borne in mind that employers are not going through an easy time either and at least give their employees the opportunity to earn money. Or fight to keep their jobs in the future. To what extent the hoped-for bonus is actually appropriate can at best be assessed by looking at the company's balance sheets and calculations. A works council may be able to help here.
And something else for all those who now hang their heads: Such a bonus also harbors risks. After all, many a boss can use the payment of the bonus to morally ward off any desire for a salary increase with reference to the 3000 euros for years. Which should by no means be assumed here. However, it could still be familiar to one or the other dependent employee - from years without any crisis.
