{"id":63306,"date":"2023-09-27T14:01:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/?p=63306"},"modified":"2023-10-19T05:39:40","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T05:39:40","slug":"what-are-fringe-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/education\/what-are-fringe-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAT ARE FRINGE BENEFITS: All You Need to Know, Examples, and How to Calculate It","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Employers frequently want to attract good employees by offering attractive compensation packages. Compensation, however, extends beyond an employee\u2019s hourly or salary wages. It also includes fringe benefits, which are additional small business employee perks. So, what are the fringe benefits of HRM? And, how do you calculate fringe benefits tax? Also, what are the advantages and disadvantages of fringe benefits and their examples? This blog post will address all of these concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fringe benefits in HRM are additional benefits provided to an employee in addition to their base salary for performing a specific service. Some FBs, such as social security and health insurance, are mandated by law, while others are provided voluntarily by the employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Free breakfast and lunch, gym membership, employee stock options, transportation benefits, retirement planning services, childcare, education assistance, and so on are examples of optional fringe benefits in HRM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the benefits of FBs is that they are tax-free for the employer if certain conditions are met. Beneficiaries of FBs, on the other hand, are required to include the fair value of the benefits in their annual taxable income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, the employer provides fringe benefits in HRM, even if the actual provider is a third party. This is because the employer is the one who pays for the benefit provided to the employee. Similarly, even if the benefit is extended to other family members, the employee is usually the recipient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The various fringe benefits in HRM provided to employees differ from one company to the next, because the employer can choose which benefits will be provided to employees during a given period. During the recruitment process, employees are allowed to select the FBs that they are interested in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether it is a company car, an employer-paid gym membership, or educational financial assistance, the employee is free to choose the options that provide the most comfort in their current position within the company. Employee discounts, gifts, and no-additional-cost services may also be provided by retail employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the goal of providing employee FBs is to ensure their comfort in the workplace, it also helps the company stand out to potential employees. Employers in highly competitive markets may find it difficult to retain top employees based solely on salary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Providing employees with unique FBs helps the company stand out from the competition. It increases the likelihood of attracting high-value and talented employees from schools or competing companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are numerous examples of fringe benefits that you may encounter because they can range from formal employee benefits to in-office perks. Here are some examples of available FBs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some fringe benefits are taxable, so you must report the amount unless the IRS expressly exempts the fringe benefit from the tax. Calculate, withhold, and report the federal income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes on fringe benefits. Additionally, calculate, remit, and report the federal unemployment tax on fringe benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some taxable FBs include cash bonus pay, paid personal time off, and personal use of business vehicles. Determine the value of employee FBs by January 31 of the year following their distribution to your employees. This way, you can report fringe benefits for all employees who receive them on Form W-2, Wage, and Tax Statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can add the value of the fringe benefits to the employee\u2019s regular wages for federal income tax withholding. Alternatively, you can withhold at the 22% fringe benefits tax rate (the same rate for supplemental pay).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After adding the employee\u2019s wages, calculate and withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes on the total compensation. To calculate the employer portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes, add fringe benefits to the employee\u2019s total compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some FBs are not taxable compensation for employees. This means that the benefits may be exempt from federal income tax withholding, FICA, and FUTA tax. They are not usually included on the employee\u2019s Form W-2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it may appear complicated at first glance, calculating the fringe benefit rate is quite simple. Simply add up the annual cost of the employee\u2019s fringe benefits (including payroll taxes) and divide by the employee\u2019s salary or wage for the year. The next step is to multiply that number by 100.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This gives you the percentage of the fringe benefit rate. Here\u2019s how it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fringe Benefit Rate = (Total fringe benefits an employee get \/ Annual salary of the employee) X 100<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember to include unemployment insurance, health insurance, pension plan contributions, and any other benefits you provide when calculating total fringe benefits in HRM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assume an employee earns $80,000 per year and your total FBs are around $20,000. A straightforward calculation would be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, the employee\u2019s fringe benefit rate would be 25%. This means that your company is paying the employee an additional 25% on top of their base salary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assume you currently pay your employees around $35 per hour and provide FBs worth around $10,000 per year. You must divide the total cost of the benefits by the employee\u2019s annual salary. So, if your employee works 40 hours per week, the calculation is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then multiply by 100 to get the percentage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, this employee\u2019s fringe benefit rate would be 13%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider the following factors when calculating FBs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re an employer considering offering fringe benefits, a good place to start is by researching the advantages and disadvantages of doing so. Offering a 401(k) plan to your employees, for example, can be quite costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n List any existing fringe benefits. If you\u2019re thinking about offering FBs, make a list of what you\u2019d like to offer. This can calculate you in calculating the total cost of the fringe benefits and determining whether it fits within your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The benefits will vary according to each employee\u2019s role and position. This can make calculating the fringe benefit rate more difficult. To make things easier, check employment contracts to determine each employee\u2019s FBs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have all the necessary information, it is time to calculate the total value of the fringe benefits you provide. This shouldn\u2019t be too difficult, and it\u2019s the first step in calculating the fringe benefit rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following are some advantages and disadvantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Employers invest in fringe benefit programs for a variety of reasons, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Companies that provide benefits in addition to salary often stand out from their competitors, making the company appealing to a variety of stakeholders. Customers, for example, are more likely to buy from companies that are known in the public eye for treating their employees well and providing a safe work environment. The company will also attract talented employees who want to work for companies that value their employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When employees are unable to work due to work-related illnesses or injuries, businesses lose money. This is because employees will spend time seeking treatment instead of contributing their skills and experience to the company. Providing a safe working environment and FBs like a gym membership, health insurance, and dental care coverage can improve their health and reduce sick leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Employees frequently work harder when they believe their employer values their contribution to the company. Providing additional benefits such as paid holidays, health insurance, an employer-provided car, stock options, and so on is one way to increase employee satisfaction. It will also help to reduce the number of disgruntled employees and keep them engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health insurance, workers\u2019 compensation, retirement plans, and family and medical leave are some of the most common examples of fringe benefits. Paid vacation, meal subsidies, commuter benefits, and other benefits are examples of common fringe benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health insurance, life insurance, tuition assistance, childcare reimbursement, cafeteria subsidies, below-market loans, employee discounts, employee stock options, and personal use of a company-owned vehicle are examples of benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A fringe benefit is any nonwage payment provided to employees by their employers (for example, pension plans, profit-sharing programs, vacation pay, and company-paid life, health, and unemployment insurance programs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, FBs are taxable to the employee, must be reported on the employee\u2019s W-2 as supplemental income, and are subject to withholding and employment taxes. In a publication titled Employer\u2019s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits for Use in 2021, the IRS guides FBs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gravy, allowances, benefits, bonus, compensation package, employee-benefit, lagniappe, perk, perks, perquisites, and perquisites are other words for a fringe benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAn Example For Salaried Employees<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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An Example for Hourly Workers<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Employers Should Consider<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#1. Think about the advantages and disadvantages of providing fringe benefits.<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
#2. List all the potential FBs you provide.<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
#3. Determine the worth of each employee\u2019s fringe benefits package.<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Advantages and Disadvantages of Fringe Benefits<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Advantages<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Disadvantages<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Why Do Employers Offer Fringe Benefits in HRM?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Public opinion<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Employee well-being<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Employee involvement<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What are fringe benefits examples?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What are the 7 fringe benefits?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the meaning of a fringe benefit?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are fringe benefits deducted from a paycheck?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is another word for fringe benefits?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is 401k a fringe benefit?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n