MACRON BONUS 2022. The amount of the value sharing bonus will triple this year. Who is entitled? What are the payment terms? We will explain everything to you.
[Updated July 21, 2022 at 08:04] The Macron bonus or “value sharing bonus” as it has just been renamed should see its amount triple this year! This was the wish of the Head of State, and this proposal is part of the purchasing power bill, defended tooth and nail by the executive, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Mayor as leaders. But then, who will be able to receive this new Macron bonus? In reality, all employees whose salary is less than 3x the amount of the Smic are potential beneficiaries. Last year, 4 million of them received it, for an average payment amount of 506 euros. Information confirmed by the tenant of Bercy, at the microphone of RTL on Monday July 18: “the Macron bonus will be multiplied by three, up to 6,000 euros for companies that have a profit-sharing agreement.” The tenant of Bercy specifying that “it is only for the year 2022, if it goes badly in 2023, the company will not be threatened”. A statement that follows the legitimate concern of some SME bosses, undecided about a possible increase in wages in the event of a sudden change in economic conditions.
This Macron bonus is exempt from taxes and social security contributions until December 31, 2023. On the employers’ side, the payment of this “PEPA” bonus is based on volunteering, it is just compulsory to respect the ceilings in force. It is up to them, within the limits of these ceilings, to pay the desired amount, which may well be lower than the ceilings. Please note, this Macron bonus will be subject to the CSG, the CRDS and income tax for executives who earn more than 3x the minimum wage. The tripling of the Macron bonus will therefore be part of the “purchasing power package” (25 billion euros in total) dear to the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire, bringing together around fifteen measures aimed at protecting the wallets of the French against galloping inflation (5.8% in June over one year), such as the 4% increase in pensions, or even the thawing of the index point for civil servants. Created following the Yellow Vests crisis, this exceptional bonus makes it possible to reward employees via an “employee dividend” totally exempt from tax. For now, the ceilings are still set at 1,000 euros and 3,000 euros. With the reform and the increase, the bosses will be able to pay up to 3,000 euros and 6,000 euros in the event of a profit-sharing agreement signed by the company last year, or for companies with less than 50 employees.
Problem with this Macron bonus, it is already greatly agitating the various groups in the National Assembly, especially since the start of the examination of the purchasing power bill. The Insoumis have decided to make fun of the subject, by proposing an amendment to rename it “smoking premium”. All of this is very serious, LFI justifies itself by asserting that this exceptional purchasing power bonus does not open the door to any social rights, unemployment or old age coverage. “Premiums shape an artificial deficit in the Social Security accounts (…) It is a sham that can accommodate a deterioration in the distribution of added value” we have in particular heard on Monday July 18 in the hemicycle. What to further aggravate an already explosive situation between the majority and the various oppositions, the purchasing power bill including this bonus for sharing the added value looks perhaps even more complex than expected.
The exceptional purchasing power bonus is exempt from income tax and from any social security contributions or contributions. But then, who is eligible for the Macron bonus? Employees whose remuneration is less than 3 times the Smic (over the 12 months preceding the payment). This Macron bonus does not replace any element of remuneration. Already extended in 2021, the PEPA bonus is renewed for the year 2022. Note that the employer is not obliged to pay the Macron bonus. If he wishes to pay it, he has the option of doing so to all of his employees, or only to employees whose remuneration is less than 3 times the minimum wage.
In 2022, the Macron bonus benefits both employees and apprentices, as well as temporary workers and public officials. The employer can completely modulate the amount of the payment of the PEPA bonus according to the beneficiary according to certain criteria such as the employee’s remuneration, the employee’s classification level, his working conditions during the Covid crisis, or still his working time over a year.
Since 2019, employees have been able to receive an exceptional bonus, exempt from taxes and social security contributions called “Macron bonus”. This exceptional purchasing power bonus (is paid by any employer who wishes it to employees, under certain conditions. In particular if the employee in question does not exceed a certain income ceiling. This tax and social exemption scheme aims to encourage employers to pay bonuses to their employees in order to enhance their purchasing power.This is not a State bonus, but a company bonus which remains optional and voluntary.
To be exempt from employee contributions, the Macron bonus cannot exceed the amount of 1,000 euros. Companies that have a profit-sharing agreement can pay the Macron bonus up to 2,000 euros. This amount, doubled, is also valid for companies with fewer than 50 employees, and second-line workers (if revaluation measures are taken). This bonus could now triple during the summer, with the announcement of the purchasing power bill scheduled for July 6, 2022. Then, the amount of this PEPA bonus could reach up to 6,000 euros without charges or taxes. for companies benefiting from a profit-sharing agreement.
The Macron bonus is paid within a period provided for by law. In this case, between June 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022. Whether you are a civil servant, employee, or industrialist, you have the possibility of benefiting from it. With the purchasing power bill, the reform of the Macron bonus should be announced in the summer of 2022. The loss of the absolute majority in the National Assembly by Emmanuel Macron and the presidential party has largely fragmented the political landscape. Despite everything, the Council of Ministers of Thursday, July 7, 2022 confirmed the tripling of the Macron bonus up to 6,000 euros net of tax. A way for employees to pay an “employee dividend” to their employees, to reward them for their investment.
The amount of the Macron bonus exempt from contributions is capped at 1,000 euros. However, this amount may triple and reach 3,000 euros in the event of a majority obtained by the LREM group in the National Assembly after the legislative elections of June 12 and 19. A major campaign promise from the Head of State, it could come into force this year, at the beginning of the summer with the promulgation of the purchasing power bill by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.
This exceptional purchasing power bonus could also increase from 2,000 euros to 6,000 euros net of tax if the paying company has signed a profit-sharing agreement, has fewer than 50 employees and for workers in the second line (if revaluation measures are initiated).
