the Macron premium experiences a significant slowdown in the first quarter of 2024

The Macron bonus, paid by companies to their employees in recent months, is now used significantly less by companies.

Since the start of 2024, companies have overall paid just under 500 million euros to employees through the Macron bonus. However, it was 1.2 billion over the same period in 2023. The explanation for this drop is quite simple, since since January 1, 2024, the rules have changed.

This so-called value sharing bonus is no longer completely tax-exempt, of course, the exemption from social contributions is maintained, but, for companies with more than 50 employees, it is now necessary to pay the generalized social contribution (CSG), and the contribution to the repayment of the social debt (CRDS). Which makes the bonus significantly less attractive for employers.

It was also exempt from income tax for employees earning less than three times the minimum wage. This is still the case, but here too the government has put conditions. To avoid paying tax on it, the bonus must be allocated to a savings plan, or the person receiving it must be employed by a small company with fewer than 50 employees, provided again that earn less than three times the minimum wage.

These changes are dictated by the situation of public accounts, since the government seeks to make tens of billions in savings and these exemptions from contributions or taxes represent a shortfall for the State.

The risk is that this will represent a loss of earnings for employees, because the Macron bonus can amount to up to 6,000 euros per employee and last year, according to Urssaf, six million employees benefited from it for an average amount of 885 euros.

Above all, this bonus has often been the response of employers to employees’ requests for increases. It was an easy and profitable way for them to support the purchasing power of their teams when inflation soared.

Except that the rise in prices slows down and households find some oxygen. In addition, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Labor, the basic monthly salary increased by 3.3% over one year, in the first quarter of 2024, while inflation was at 2.1% over the same period.