250 small benefit

[Kanai]

I was wondering about the small benefit of 250, which is a one off benefit.
Does it have to be actual cash or a voucher from somewhere? Can it be paid through payroll as a non taxable, non prsiabe non usc-able payment? I would prefer it that way or cash, rather than a voucher.
I checked the revenue site and they don't say, just mention vouchers all the time.
I know, if they say vouchers, they must mean vouchers!

 

[mandelbrot]

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/benefit-in-kind/overview.html#section3

Small benefits

Where an employer provides an employee with a small benefit (that is, a benefit with a value not exceeding €250 (€100 up to 31st December 2004), PAYE and PRSI need not be applied to that benefit. This treatment does not apply to cash payments, which are taxable in full. No more than one such benefit given to an employee in a tax year will qualify for such treatment. Where a benefit exceeds €250 in value the full value of the benefit is to be subjected to PAYE and PRSI.

Staff availing of this concession may not avail of staff discount concession in the same year of assessment.

 

[Kanai]

Thank you. I read what you posted and Searched a bit more.
So it has to be a voucher or a hamper or an object . No cash or cheque.
But I know a couple of people who got it with their wages.
Wrongly, obviously!
Argh. I hate vouchers, they lie in the drawer for months and I forget I have them..

 

[Mrs Vimes]

Argh. I hate vouchers, they lie in the drawer for months and I forget I have them..

So ask your employer for vouchers for wherever you do your grocery shopping, or for wherever you plan to buy Christmas presents or a restaurant you go to - as good as cash if you use them straight away.