Have you ever heard the term “imputed income” and wondered what it means? Don’t worry – you’re not alone! Imputed income refers to fringe benefits or services you receive from an employer but don’t pay for directly. Even though you do not receive cash-in-hand, certain benefits are still considered a form of taxable income. In this article, we’ll break down imputed income in simple terms and explore its impact on your tax return.
What is imputed income?
As a W-2 employee, your compensation package may include fringe benefits beyond wages and salary. These perquisites (or perks) may include health insurance, life insurance, employee discounts, childcare reimbursement, personal use of a company-owned vehicle, bonuses, or educational assistance.
The value of the non-monetary job perks you receive that are not part of your wages or salary is considered imputed income. Your employer should assign a dollar value to all taxable benefits and report the amounts to you at the end of the year.
To give you a better idea, let’s consider a few examples:
- Personal Use of Company-Owned Asset: Suppose you live in a company-provided house or receive a company car for personal use. In these cases, the value of the accommodation or the car’s use is considered imputed income.
- Employer-Provided Health Insurance: If your employer covers your health insurance premiums, the portion they pay on your behalf is considered imputed income.
- Group-Term Life Insurance: If your employer offers group-term life insurance, coverage exceeding $50,000 is considered taxable as imputed income.
- Gym Membership: Some employers provide gym memberships to their employees as a fringe benefit. If you use the gym facilities for personal use, the value of the membership is considered imputed income.
- Season Tickets: An employer may offer seasonal tickets to sporting or theatrical events. The IRS considers this benefit substantial enough to be taxed as imputed income.
- Debt Forgiveness (or assistance): If a lender forgives a portion of your debt, the canceled debt is taxable as imputed income. Additionally, if you benefited from an employer program that assists in paying off student loan debt, those payments against your debt may be subject to taxation. Learn more about debt forgiveness here.
What is a de minimis (minimal) benefit?
De minimis benefits refer to small, incidental, or low-value fringe benefits employers provide to their employees. These benefits are considered too minimal or insignificant to require tracking and reporting.
The specific definition and criteria for de minimis benefits typically include items or perks of relatively low value or infrequent occurrence.
Examples of de minimis benefits may include:
- Occasional use of the company copy machine for personal purposes
- Snacks or drinks provided in the office
- Occasional tickets to sporting events or shows
- Holiday or birthday gifts (other than cash or cash equivalent)
- Personal use of a cell phone provided by an employer primarily for business purposes
- Flowers, fruit, books, etc., provided under special circumstances
- Occasional meal money or transportation expenses for working overtime
The exclusion of de minimis benefits from taxable income is intended to simplify tax reporting and administration, as the value of these benefits is considered too minimal to warrant taxation.
Learn more: The Tax Implications of Your Holiday Bonus
How to calculate the value of a fringe benefit
The IRS requires employers to identify the company’s taxable fringe benefits and their cash value, then calculate and pay FICA taxes on those benefits. Therefore, your employer is tasked with calculating the cash value of the benefit. The taxable portion of your fringe benefits will then be reported on your Form W-2 Box 12.
The most common method employers will use to determine the cash value of fringe benefits is calculating the benefit’s fair market value. Fair market value is the price the benefit would fetch in an open market between a willing buyer and a willing seller. For certain benefits like company-provided housing or vehicles, the fair market value may be based on comparable rental rates or the cost of similar assets in the market.
An organization may also calculate the value of a fringe benefit based on the cost incurred by the employer in providing the benefit. For example, suppose an employer offers a discounted gym membership. In that case, the value of the benefit may be determined by the cost the employer pays to the gym on behalf of the employee.
The IRS offers general valuation guidelines to help calculate the imputed income for certain benefits. More often than not, the fair market value will be used to calculate the cash value of this form of income.
How to report imputed income
As mentioned earlier, imputed income is subject to taxation just like any other form of income. Your employer will report this type of income on Form W-2 in boxes 12a through 12d. The code in each box will indicate the type of income and how it is calculated on your tax return. Remember, TaxSlayer will automatically calculate your total income and tax liability based on the entries from this form.
How does imputed income affect my return?
Imputed income increases your taxable income, which may affect your overall tax liability. Since imputed income is added to your total income, it may push you into a higher tax bracket, resulting in a higher tax bill.
Imputed income may also impact your eligibility for certain deductions or exemptions. For instance, if you’re eligible to claim a deduction for medical expenses, the imputed income from employer-provided health insurance might affect the total amount you can deduct. It’s helpful to account for imputed income when planning your taxes and setting aside funds for potential tax obligations.
What happens if I do not report my imputed income?
The IRS has a system in place to track and gather tax documents. Employers are often required to report imputed income to the IRS by providing necessary documentation or including it on the employee’s Form W-2 or 1099. Additionally, the IRS receives information from various sources, such as financial institutions and third-party vendors, which helps them verify the accuracy of reported income.
It is important to note that discrepancies between income reported to the IRS by your employer(s) and the income you report on your tax return can raise red flags during the filing process. Reporting your income exactly as it appears on your tax forms will allow your returns to be processed quickly and ensure you receive your refund as soon as possible!
