In the world of global HR and payroll, consistency is key. Standardised compensation structures, unified payroll systems, and centralised bonus schemes simplify management and ensure fairness across multiple countries.
But in the pursuit of uniformity, many multinational organisations are missing a golden opportunity to deliver more meaningful, cost-effective rewards for their local employees.
One of the most overlooked opportunities in Ireland is the Small Benefit Exemption (SBE). This simple, Revenue approved scheme allows employers to provide up to €1,500 per year in tax-free benefits to each employee, bypassing the usual payroll deductions.
By embracing local perks like the SBE, you can elevate your bonus policy from simply compliant to strategically impactful boosting employee satisfaction while reducing payroll costs.
The Global Policy Gap
Multinational companies face a common challenge: global systems often overlook local advantages.
Ask yourself:
- Are your Irish employees missing out on tax-free rewards because your global systems don’t support local benefits?
- Is it hard to send employee gifts in Ireland because your payroll or HR setup is too centralized?
- Are you looking for an easier and more affordable way to reward staff in Ireland?
If your answer is “yes” to any of these, your organisation has a global policy gap.
The Small Benefit Exemption is straightforward, legal, and generous, yet many large companies fail to utilise it because global bonus systems aren’t flexible enough to accommodate country specific perks.
The result?
- Employees miss out on tax-free rewards that boost engagement and loyalty.
- Employers lose an opportunity to reduce payroll costs without spending more.
Why the SBE Matters in Ireland
Ireland’s Small Benefit Exemption is a win-win for both employers and employees.
Under the scheme:
- Employers can provide up to €1,500 per employee per year in non-cash rewards, such as gift cards.
- These rewards are fully exempt from PAYE, PRSI, and USC for both employer and employee.
- The scheme is Revenue approved and designed to make employee recognition efficient and cost-effective.
Yet, only about half of Irish employers take advantage of the SBE.
Why?
- Many believe it’s too complex to implement under rigid global payroll policies.
- Global HR teams often prioritise standardisation over localisation, unintentionally leaving local tax advantages untapped.
Overlooking the SBE means missing the chance to reward smarter not harder or more expensively.
Swirl: The Bridge Between Global Systems and Local Efficiency
This is where Swirl steps in. We help multinational companies unlock the benefits of Ireland’s SBE without disrupting existing global policies or payroll systems.
Here’s how we make it effortless:
- Seamless Integration with Global Policies
Deliver local tax-free perks without rewriting your global bonus framework. - Minimal Effort for HR and Payroll Teams
Our user-friendly platform simplifies ordering, fulfillment, and delivery, making employee gifting stress free. - Built In Revenue Compliance
Swirl is designed to align with Ireland’s SBE and 2024 Enhanced Reporting requirements, giving you full peace of mind. - Scalable for Any Workforce
From 50 to 5,000 employees, our solution grows with your organisation.
With Swirl, you can reward your Irish employees efficiently, compliantly, and without red tape, all while enhancing engagement and maximising your payroll spend.
Don’t Let Global Policy Block Local Value
Your commitment to attracting and retaining top talent in Ireland shouldn’t be limited by global standardisation.
By leveraging Ireland’s Small Benefit Exemption, you can:
- Boost employee satisfaction and loyalty with meaningful, tax-free rewards.
- Save on payroll costs without increasing your total reward budget.
- Stand out as an employer of choice in the Irish market.
Swirl makes it quick, compliant, and effortless to implement the SBE. Bridging the gap between global consistency and local impact.
Contact Swirl today and start turning your Irish bonus policy into a local competitive advantage.
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