COVID-19-related leave donation programs now eligible for tax relief
- Learn more about special tax relief for leave donation programs set up by employers for those affected by COVID-19.
- Find out how this tax relief addresses two important issues.
- Find out how this special relief differs from ordinary tax relief for leave donations.
The IRS recently announced special tax relief for leave-based donation programs set up by employers to aid those directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under such programs, an employer can allow its employees to give up vacation, sick or personal leave in exchange for a cash contribution by the employer to a qualified charitable organization.
Two issues addressed for leave donation
Ordinarily, leave-based charitable donations must be included in the donating employee’s income. In addition, the opportunity to elect such contributions usually raises the concern that eligible employees might be taxed on income that could have been donated because the ability to donate triggers “constructive receipt.” Notice 2020-46 addresses both tax issues.
First, cash payments that employers make to qualified tax-exempt organizations in exchange for vacation, sick or personal leave that their employees elect to forgo won’t constitute income to the employees if the payments are:
- Made before January 1, 2021, and
- For the relief of victims of the COVID-19 pandemic in the affected geographic areas.
These areas include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and four other U.S. territories. You do not need to include such payments in Box 1, 3 or 5 of the employee’s Form W-2.
Second, the mere opportunity to make a leave donation won’t result in constructive receipt of income for employees. However, electing employees may not deduct the value of the leave donation on their income tax returns. Deductions by electing employees would result in “double-dipping,” because the donated leave will already have been excluded from their income. Employers may deduct the contributions either as charitable contributions or as trade or business expenses, if they meet applicable requirements.
A different kind of relief
Tax relief for leave donations has generally become standardized. However, this version differs in its description of the employer’s deduction by plainly stating — rather than implying — that the employer may rely on either the deduction for charitable contributions or the business expense deduction (again, provided applicable requirements are met).
Have questions about how this relief might apply to you? Call Fiducial at 1-866-FIDUCIAL or make an appointment at one of our office locations. Ready to book an appointment now? Click here. Know someone who might need our services? We love referrals!
For more small business COVID-19 resources, visit Fiducial’s Coronavirus Update Center to find information on SBA loans, tax updates, the Paycheck Protection Program, paid sick and family leave, and more.
