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Why Only Half of Irish Employers Are Using the €1,500 Tax Break- And How to Fix it

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Why Only Half of Irish Employers Are Using the €1,500 Tax Break- And How to Fix it
Why Only Half of Irish Employers Are Using the €1,500 Tax Break- And How to Fix it

The Small Benefit Exemption (SBE) is one of Ireland’s most generous, yet surprisingly underused, tax relief schemes. More than 40% of employers aren’t taking advantage of it, even though well resourced multinationals are also leaving money on the table. 

The Overlooked Benefit

Under the SBE, employers can give staff up to €1,500 each year in non-cash rewards like gift cards or vouchers. The real win? These rewards are completely exempt from income tax, USC and PRSI for both employer and employee. 

Despite this, research from the CIPD/Irish Recruitment Network Pay & Employment Practices Survey shows that only 56% of employers are actually using it. In other words, almost half of Irish employees are missing out, and employers are passing up a simple and powerful way to retain and motivate their teams. 

Why Are So Many Companies Missing Out?

When we talk with HR and payroll teams, the same reasons come up again and again. Some think it’s too complicated to set up, or that their payroll systems won’t handle vouchers. Others say their global policies don’t allow for gift cards, or they simply didn’t realise the €1,500 threshold was available in the first place. 

These concerns are understandable, but the reality is that each one has a straightforward solution once you have the right platform in place. 

The Stakes Just Got Higher

From January 2025, the exemption limit was raised to €1,500. That means the opportunity is bigger than ever, yet many employers are still unaware of the change or unsure how to make the most of it. 

Making SBE Simple

Swirl Gift Card is tailored to help Irish employers fully unlock the SBE benefits regardless of size or structure. 

Here’s how Swirl makes compliance effortless: 

At Swirl, we’ve designed our platform to take the hassle out of employee gifting. Instead of worrying about compliance, distribution or tracking, you can give your staff flexible Mastercard gift cards that work anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Whether you’re ordering for 10 people or 10,000, the process is quick, scalable and straightforward. 

Why It’s Worth Acting Now

Adopting the SBE scheme isn’t just about saving tax. It’s about timing your reward programme to fit with year-end planning, avoiding compliance headaches, and giving your people a benefit they genuinely value. And because Swirl manages the admin side for you, you get all of the upside without adding extra work to your HR or finance teams. 

In Summary

Tax-free employee gifting is one of the easiest ways to reward staff, boost engagement and keep costs down. With the right partner, you can unlock up to €1,500 per employee, in full compliance with Revenue rules, and deliver a reward that feels meaningful. 

Ready to make the most of the Small Benefit Exemption?

Contact Swirl today and see how simple it can be to get started.

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