Hiring remote? Working remotely? Either way, you’ll want to get acquainted with work-from-home-stipends. They’re additional payments (usually monthly) offered to employees or contractors to help them get work more effectively remotely.
Below, you’ll learn everything you could possibly want to know about work-from-home stipends.
Key takeaways:
A work from home stipend is a monetary sum offered to employees or contractors to help cover the costs associated with working from home. This stipend is designed to help employees and contractors offset the additional expenses they may incur while working from home. Some of these expenses can include internet service, office supplies, and equipment.
Employers have the option of offering a flat amount or a reimbursement system for work from home expenses. For example, an employer may offer a $500 stipend to employees or contractors to cover work from home expenses, or they may reimburse employees or contractors for expenses they incur while working from home, such as internet service and office supplies.
When offering a work from home stipend, it's important to consider the legal and regulatory implications. For example, if you are offering a stipend to employees, it's important to make sure it is compliant with wage and hour laws. Additionally, if you are offering a stipend to contractors, it's important to make sure it complies with IRS guidelines for independent contractors.
It's also important to keep in mind that the stipend may be considered taxable income. For example, in the United States, the IRS considers work from home stipends taxable income. Therefore, employers should make sure to include the stipend in the employee's or contractor's taxable income, and withhold appropriate taxes.
Let's take a look at a specific example of a work from home stipend. An employer may offer a $500 stipend to employees working from home to cover expenses such as internet service, office supplies, and equipment. The employer would then include the stipend in the employee's taxable income and withhold appropriate taxes. The employee would then use the stipend to cover expenses related to working from home.
Bottom line? A work-from-home stipend can be a valuable tool for employees or contractors working from home. By understanding the legal and regulatory considerations and providing a specific example, you can make an informed decision about whether a work from home stipend is the right choice for your business.
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