# Stop Paying Taxes You Don’t Owe: The Tax-Free Way to Reward Your Team [E199]

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-by-the-numbers-5045738/stop-paying-taxes-you-don-t-owe-the-tax-free-way-to-reward-your-team-e199
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-by-the-numbers-5045738/stop-paying-taxes-you-don-t-owe-the-tax-free-way-to-reward-your-team-e199.md
Podcast: [Business By The Numbers](https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-by-the-numbers-5045738)
Published: 2025-12-04T04:15:00+00:00
Episode link: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/stop-paying-taxes-you-dont-owe-the-tax-free-way-to-reward-your-team-e199
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/2dbc1dca-e557-46a2-a417-9d9c000a180f.mp3
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Duration seconds: 982

## Resource

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File Are you rewarding your team, or paying extra taxes to do it? Could a few words on your payroll save you thousands a year? In this episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar, Melis & Associates, explains why the difference between an allowance and a reimbursement could save both you and your employees thousands of dollars a year. From cars and cell phones to tool truck payments, Hunt breaks down how changing just a few words on your payroll setup can turn a taxable perk into a tax-free benefit. Through clear examples and real-shop math, he reveals how to keep Uncle Sam’s cut out of your employee bonuses and put that money back where it belongs — in your business. If you’ve ever handed out end-of-year bonuses, paid mileage, or covered employee phone bills, this episode will show you a smarter, legally compliant way to do it. Shop owners, service advisors, and bookkeepers who want to reward staff without paying unnecessary payroll taxes. What you’ll discover… (02:00) How a small change in wording saves 25–30% in taxes (04:10) Why giving an “auto allowance” is the same as providing a raise (07:10) Cellphone allowance insights (11:00) Tools allowance and reimbursement insights (11:40) How a $200 tool payment becomes $150 after taxes, and how to make it a full $200 with one form (14:10) What the IRS calls “fringe benefits” and how to use them responsibly to benefit both sides (14:30) Turning bonuses into reimbursements so your team keeps 100% of their money Thanks to our partner Promotive It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qua…

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## Transcript

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