Comparison · Gift cards
How do you send bulk gift cards to employees?
How to send bulk gift cards to employees: what to compare across corporate gift card platforms, why IRS Pub. 15-B treats them as wages, and send-by dates.
Some links on this site are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes which gift fits. How we make money
Short answer
Bulk gift cards are easy to send and well liked, but the IRS treats them as cash equivalents: they're taxable wages for employees, however small. Pick a platform by recipient choice, fees, minimums, delivery method and international reach. Give an amount that doesn't feel like a token; small cards show up in least-liked-gift lists.
On this page
Gift types by use
Each row matches a type of gift to who it suits, with the source for the reason. Survey figures are from a vendor survey.
| Best for | Gift type | Why it fits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teams that want recipients to choose | Gift card and reward platform (example: Tremendous) | 2,000+ ways to spend: gift cards, prepaid cards, donations and monetary options; send rewards in 200+ countries; No fees or minimums: pay only for what you send | Tremendous |
Frequently asked questions
Are gift cards to employees taxable?
Yes. IRS Publication 15-B says cash and cash equivalents, including gift cards, are never excludable as de minimis benefits, no matter how small. Talk to your payroll provider. Not tax advice.
Do employees like gift cards?
In Custom Ink's 2026 survey, gift cards were a top-3 favorite for 55% of employees. Very small amounts backfire: token gift cards and cash made up 8% of least-liked gift answers.
What should I compare in a gift card platform?
Recipient choice, fees, order minimums, delivery method, countries covered, branding, and what happens to unredeemed funds. Check each on the platform's own terms.
Can I send gift cards internationally?
Some platforms support it. Tremendous, for example, says it sends rewards in 200+ countries. Confirm country coverage before you promise it.
Are gift cards a good client gift?
Often not. Federal employees can't accept cash or cash equivalents as gifts, and many companies restrict them. A small physical gift with a card is safer.
Sources
Spot an error? Contact us. See our corrections policy.
