Definition

Sachbezug (Germany)

German tax category for 'in-kind benefits' — gift cards up to €50 per employee per month are tax-free if ZAG-compliant.

Sachbezug refers to in-kind benefits granted by an employer to an employee. Under § 8 (2) sentence 11 EStG, they are tax-free up to €50 per employee per month, provided they cannot be redeemed for cash.

Condition: the voucher must be closed-loop or controlled-loop (ZAG-compliant). Open-loop prepaid cards bearing a network logo are excluded. The €50 cannot roll over to another month.

For personal occasions (Aufmerksamkeiten) a separate €60-per-occasion allowance applies, on top of the monthly €50.

Country guide
Tax-free gift cards in Germany
Use case
employee rewards
Related term
Aufmerksamkeit (Germany)
Related term
ZAG-compliant
Related term
Closed-loop voucher
Related term
Open-loop voucher

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