Inflation bonus: Employer president dampens hope for 3,000 euros extra money

Created: 09/23/2022, 13:12

By: Patricia Huber

Up to 3,000 euros tax-free as an inflation bonus: That's what companies can pay their employees.

In reality, however, this is unlikely to be feasible, warns the employer president.

Berlin – With the third relief package, the federal government has provided for an inflation premium.

However, this is not paid by the state, but at best by the employer.

They can pay out up to 3,000 euros to their employees tax- and levy-free.

But hardly any worker believes that they will ever see this bonus.

After all, companies are also struggling with the increased energy prices.

Inflation premium: payment unlikely - energy costs take away the "air to breathe" for companies

Employer President Rainer Dulger has also warned against overly high expectations of the inflation premium.

"Many companies would certainly allow their employees a one-off payment, no matter what the amount, but they can't because the massive increase in energy costs is taking their breath away," Dulger told the

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and most recently Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) had repeatedly appealed to companies to grant their employees the planned inflation premiums of up to 3,000 euros.

Employer boss Dulger basically welcomed the possibility of tax- and duty-free one-off payments as a substitute for tariff increases.

"Employees quickly get additional money, and employers do not incur higher costs in the long term."

Inflation premium: Unions demand payment obligation

The proposal was also received positively by the trade unions.

However, IG Metall boss Jörg Hofmann spoke out in favor of making the inflation premiums for employees compulsory for companies.

This is the only way to ensure that all employees get the money, the trade unionist told