Gross-Up

Definition

“Gross-Up” is a financial term that refers to an additional amount paid to cover a person’s taxes. It’s typically used by employers who bear the burden of an employee’s income taxes on certain compensation or perks. Essentially, it’s the money added to a payment to account for the taxes that will be taken out.

Phonetic

The phonetics of the keyword “Gross-Up” is: /ɡrəʊsʌp/

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways about Gross-Up

1. Remuneration Compensation: Gross-up is a provision wherein an employer agrees to pay the taxes owed by the employee on certain benefits or compensations, often resulting in the employee receiving a larger net amount.
2. Tax Implication: The gross-up process may have specific tax implications for the employee, the employer, or both, depending on the tax laws effective at a given period. The practice can potentially increase the taxable income of the employee, leading to a higher tax bracket.
3. Application: Gross-up is typically applied in relocation agreements, expense reimbursements, or other financial assistance provided by an employer. The primary goal is to cover the costs that an employee would otherwise have to pay out of pocket, making it a valuable part of a competitive compensation package.

Importance

The business/finance term “Gross-Up” is important as it refers to an additional amount of money added to a payment to cover the income taxes the recipient will owe on the payment. In essence, it is a practice used by employers to reimburse an employee’s tax liability for non-cash benefits or reimbursements, ensuring that the employee receives the full amount of the payment without bearing the burden of the tax. It is frequently used in relocation packages, bonuses, or any situation where an employer needs to cover an employee’s tax burden. Gross-Up is crucial in maintaining employee satisfaction and retention, as it prevents employees from having to pay taxes out of pocket on compensation or benefits.

Explanation

The term “Gross-Up” is primarily used in the world of finance as a way to compensate an individual for the taxes and deductions they will incur as a result of receiving additional income, ensuring that they have a specific amount in hand after taxes are deducted. Let’s say, for instance, if an employer wants to provide a certain net amount to an employee, they would “gross-up” the salary to include additional funds that cover the employee’s tax liability. Therefore, even after the necessary tax deductions have been made, the employee would still receive the intended net amount. This technique is often used for performance bonuses or relocation packages, allowing the recipient to benefit from the whole figure promised to them, irrespective of tax deductions.The main purpose of grossing-up wages is to maintain the tangible value of a bonus or a benefit when an employee is burdened with higher tax. To illustrate, when a company promises a $1000 bonus to its employee, they may actually disburse around $1300 (assuming a tax rate of approximately 30%), to ensure that the employee obtains the full $1000 even after taxes. In other words, corporations “gross-up” to bear the tax burden on behalf of an employee, guaranteeing them the complete worth of their reward. It ensures fairness, especially in scenarios where the employee has no control over the tax rates and shouldn’t be penalized for receiving a reward that pushes them into a higher tax bracket.

Examples

1. Employee Relocation Expenses: When a company decides to relocate an employee from one location to another, it often incurs substantial costs including moving expenses, housing allowances, etc. If a company agrees to gross-up these costs, it means the company will cover both the cost of the relocation itself and the additional taxes the employee would owe as a result of these additional benefits. 2. Bonus Payments: In many cases, when an employer gives an employee a bonus, it is taxed at a higher rate. If the employer agrees to gross-up the bonus, the employer pays the additional taxes, so the employee receives the full amount of the bonus.3. Per Diem Cost: When an employee is sent on work travel, the employer often pays a per diem amount for food, accommodation, and other essentials. Here, if the employer grosses-up, it means the company covers the tax burden associated with these costs, so the employee receives the full per diem amount without any deductions.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Related Finance Terms

• Net Income: This is the total revenue minus all expenses, taxes, and costs incurred in the earnings period.
• Pre-Tax Income: This is the income or earnings of an individual or corporation before taxes are deducted.
• Withholding Tax: This is an amount withheld by an employer from an employee’s wages and directly paid to the government as a prepayment of the employee’s tax liability.
• Taxable Income: The amount of income used to calculate how much tax an individual or a company owes to the government in a given tax year.
• Fringe Benefits: These are additional benefits that an employee receives for their job apart from their regular salary such as company cars, health insurance, etc.

Sources for More Information

• Investopedia
• The Balance
• Corporate Finance Institute
• H&R Block Tax Center