Supplemental Wages

Supplemental wages play a significant role in compensating employees for various forms of additional work or contributions beyond their regular duties.

What is Supplemental Pay?

Supplemental wages refer to any form of compensation provided to an employee beyond their regular salary or wages. These additional payments can come in various forms, including bonuses, overtime pay, commissions, severance pay, and accumulated sick leave payouts. Unlike regular wages, which are predictable and recurring, supplemental wages are typically irregular and non-routine.

What Are Considered Supplemental Wages?

The following are qualified as supplemental wages:

• Bonuses: Extra payments given to employees for exceptional performance, meeting targets, or as holiday bonuses.
• Overtime Pay: Compensation provided for hours worked beyond the standard workweek.
• Commissions: Additional earnings based on sales or performance targets achieved.
• Severance Pay: Lump-sum payments made to employees upon termination of employment.
• Accumulated Sick Leave Payouts: Compensation for unused sick leave accrued over time, often provided upon resignation or retirement.

What Does Not Qualify As Supplemental Pay?

Regular salary or hourly wages, reimbursements for business expenses, and fringe benefits such as health insurance premiums are not considered supplemental pay. Stipends and paid time off also do not count as supplemental pay unless the employer makes a payout for them (ie. payment for unused PTO). 

Who is Responsible for Reporting Supplemental Wages?

The responsibility for reporting supplemental wages typically falls on the employer. As part of their payroll and tax reporting obligations, employers must accurately document and report all supplemental wage payments made to employees to the appropriate tax authorities. 

What Are The Tax Laws on Supplemental Wages?

Taxation of supplemental wages varies from one country to another and is subject to specific regulations and guidelines. In most cases, supplemental wages are taxed differently. For instance, in the Philippines, a bonus of 90,000PHP or below is exempted from taxes.  In Australia, bonuses and commissions are taxable, too, regardless of whether they are the only payments made to the employee or are provided on top of the regular salary. 

Hence,  it's essential for employers to stay informed about these regulations and consult with tax professionals or legal advisors to ensure compliance.

Managing Supplemental Wages: Tips for Employers

Here are some essential components of managing supplemental wages effectively:

• Communication: Clearly communicate with employees about the nature and timing of supplemental wage payments to manage expectations and avoid misunderstandings.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate records of all supplemental wage payments, including the purpose, amount, and date of payment, to facilitate tax reporting and compliance.
• Withholding Compliance: Adhere to applicable tax withholding requirements and ensure accurate calculations and reporting of taxes on supplemental wages.
• Employee Education: Educate employees about the tax implications of supplemental wages and provide resources or guidance to help them understand their tax obligations.

Compliance Monitoring: Regularly review and update payroll processes to ensure compliance with changing tax laws and regulations regarding supplemental wages.