Glossary
Corporate gift card glossary
Short definitions of WKR, Sachbezug, trivial benefits, small benefit exemption, BUA and the other tax and compliance terms behind corporate gift cards in Europe.
Werkkostenregeling (WKR)
Dutch tax framework giving employers a 'free space' to grant tax-free benefits and rewards — including gift cards — to staff.
Free space (Dutch WKR)
The portion of taxable payroll within which Dutch employers may grant tax-free benefits — including gift cards — to employees under the WKR.
Eindheffing (Dutch final levy)
Flat 80% final levy paid by a Dutch employer on benefits that exceed the WKR free space.
Small-gift rule (Dutch)
Dutch practical rule for small tokens of attention to employees on personal occasions, outside the WKR free space.
Sachbezug (Germany)
German tax category for 'in-kind benefits' — gift cards up to €50 per employee per month are tax-free if ZAG-compliant.
Aufmerksamkeit (Germany)
German tax category for personal tokens of attention up to €60 per occasion — on top of the €50 Sachbezug.
ZAG-compliant
German classification: a gift card that complies with the Zahlungsdiensteaufsichtsgesetz — closed- or controlled-loop, not treated as a cash instrument.
Trivial benefits (UK)
UK rule: small benefits to employees up to £50 per occasion are tax-free, provided they are not cash and not given as a reward for work.
Fringe benefit
Additional benefit beyond regular salary — for example a gift card, phone or leased car. Tax treatment varies sharply by country.
Small benefit exemption (Ireland)
Irish rule: employers may give up to €1,500 per year (max five times) in non-cash benefits — typically gift cards — fully tax-free.
Chèque cadeau (France)
French gift voucher (often via the CSE) that is exempt up to ~5% of the monthly social-security ceiling per qualifying occasion.
Geschenkcheque (Belgium)
Belgian gift voucher that is exempt from social contributions and withholding tax up to €40 per employee per qualifying occasion (Saint Nicholas, Christmas, anniversary, retirement).
BUA (Dutch VAT deduction restriction)
Dutch BUA rule: VAT on staff benefits and client gifts is not deductible when the value exceeds €227 per person per year.
ZFŚS (Poland)
Polish social fund (Zakładowy Fundusz Świadczeń Socjalnych) from which benefits — including gift cards — can be granted exempt from personal income tax and ZUS, subject to conditions.
Retribución en especie (Spain)
Spanish tax category for in-kind benefits. Gift cards are exempt up to €1,000 per year provided they are non-redeemable for cash and part of a social policy.
Closed-loop voucher
Gift card redeemable only within a single brand or a controlled network of accepted merchants — not an open prepaid card.
Open-loop voucher
Prepaid card carrying a network logo (Visa, Mastercard) that is accepted anywhere — usually treated as a cash equivalent for tax purposes.
Business gift / relationship gift
Gift to an external relation (client, partner, supplier). In the Netherlands BUA and a deduction limit apply; figures vary widely per country.