Taxation of employer benefits

Taxable employer benefits

The following benefits provided by your employer are taxable:

• accommodation that is free or subsidised where the job does not require you to live in the accommodation (see Free or subsidised accommodation)
• awards made to you due to staff suggestion schemes
• charge cards: private use of a company charge card by you
• childcare facilities:
  • provided by the employer that are free or subsidised
  • or
  • provided by independent facility, where the employer pays for or subsidises the cost.
• company cars: for mostly private use
• company vans: for mostly private use
• discounts for you where the goods are sold at below the employer's cost
• employer contributions to an employee's Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA), subject to relief up to certain limits depending on the age of the employee and the amount of the contribution- this is no longer a taxable benefit from 1 January 2023
• exceptional performance awards, whether in the form of cash, vouchers or gifts
• loans where no interest is charged or the rate of interest is ‘preferential’ (see Benefit of preferential loans)
• meal vouchers (disregarding 19 cent per voucher)
• medical insurance premiums
• shares in a company that are given by the company to you free of charge or at a discounted price
• sports and recreation facilities:
  • provided by the employer but not to all staff, and you avail of the facilities
  • or
  • where the employer pays subscription fees to other facilities for certain employees
• subscriptions to a professional body where membership of the body is not a requirement of the job.

Next: Non-taxable employer benefits