An Employee Benefit with Possible Magnetic Power

Sarah B

Employers seeking to attract new recruits and retain talent should consider offering educational assistance programs to their employees. The plans aren’t new, but they temporarily offer greater flexibility in how they work.


Through Dec. 31, 2025, the funds can be used to help employees pay their federal student loan debts. According to the U.S. Dept. of Education, the average borrower in 2024 has federal student loan debt of $37,850. Student loan payments can be made directly to employees or lenders. These tax-free benefits are limited to $5,250 per employee, per year. Benefits that exceed that amount are taxable as wages.


If your company doesn’t offer an educational assistance program, it might be a good idea to consider establishing one while this additional feature is still in force. In today’s tight labor market, fringe benefits like this one may be a magnet that gives your company an advantage. To learn more about adding this program to your benefit package: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employer-offered-educational-assistance-programs-can-help-pay-for-college


December 2025 Newsletter

By Sarah Bolton • December 1, 2025
Our regularly updated newsletter provides timely articles to help you achieve your financial goals. Please come back and visit often. Feature Articles How Does the New Tax Deduction for Car Loan Interest Work? NOL Deductions Can Ease the Pain of Business Losses The Tax Implications of Remote Work Tax Tips Simplify Expense Reporting With High-Low Travel Per Diem Rates Last-Minute Tax Strategy: Accelerating Deductions What Are the Tax Consequences of Employee Gifts?

December 2025: Upcoming Tax Due Dates

By Sarah Bolton • December 1, 2025
December 15 Calendar-year corporations: Pay the fourth installment of 2025 estimated income taxes, completing Form 1120-W for the corporation’s records.  Employers: Deposit Social Security, Medicare and withheld income taxes for November if the monthly deposit rule applies. Employers: Deposit nonpayroll withheld income tax for November if the monthly deposit rule applies. January 12 Individuals: Report December 2025 tip income of $20 or more to employers (Form 4070).

What Are the Tax Consequences of Employee Gifts?

By Sarah Bolton • December 1, 2025
The holidays are a time for gratitude, and many employers show appreciation by giving gifts to their staff. Different types of gifts can have different tax consequences. So whether it’s a gift card, a holiday turkey or a year-end bonus, it’s important to know how the IRS will treat the gift. “Achievement awards” are deductible by the employer and tax-free to the employee if certain rules are met, including that the gift be of tangible personal property. So are “de minimis” gifts, such as that holiday turkey. But year-end bonuses are taxable. Contact the office if you have questions about the tax implications of employee gifts.