Starting in 2026, the bonus linked to the work medal will be subject to income tax, except for strictly regulated exceptions. Until now, many beneficiaries escaped this taxation thanks to specific and little-known exemptions. The reform introduces more restrictive criteria, changing the reporting and taxation habits of rewarded employees. Some special regimes remain, but access to them is tightening. The practical application methods, ceilings, and procedures are evolving, disrupting the established benchmarks around this professional distinction. work medal bonus 2026 on Blog Business details the new rules of the game: taxation, removal of the exemption, consequences for beneficiaries. Professionals in the sector, HR managers or payroll advisors, must adjust their regulatory monitoring. Be sure to distinguish the amounts received for the work honor medal: they will be added to other declared income and will be subject to withholding tax. The practical methods of declaration and integration into the payslip are already the subject of technical discussions in companies and accounting firms.
Should this bonus now be declared for taxes? What the new law says
The shift is confirmed: the work honor medal bonus fully falls within the scope of income tax starting from 2026 income. Until now, many beneficiaries had a loophole thanks to Article 157, paragraph 6 of the General Tax Code. This provision is now disappearing. When an employer pays this bonus, it must appear on the income tax declaration and is included in the overall tax calculation.
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The 2026 tax scale will apply uniformly to these amounts, which will count as any other salary, wage, or exceptional bonus. No employee eligible for this distinction will be able to ignore the change: this amount is added to the salaries to be declared, under the “salaries and wages” line on the annual income tax declaration.
| Nature of the bonus | Old regime | 2026 regime |
|---|---|---|
| Work honor medal bonus | Exempt from tax | Subject to income tax |
The expectation of a future tax circular does not change the fundamental rule: any work medal bonus received from 2026 must be included in the income tax declaration, in the “salaries and wages” category. This recognition will no longer benefit from any tax escape route in the private sector, where the rule is now intended to be uniform.
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What impact will this have on your payslip and taxes in 2026?
The bonus will be included in the taxable net income as soon as it is paid. It will be subject to withholding tax without distinction, like any other bonus. On the payslip, it will be displayed separately. For many private sector employees, the change is noticeable: the same amount paid, but taxable income revised upwards, thus the withholding will also be adjusted.
It would be incorrect to believe that everyone receives this bonus automatically. It is based on a collective agreement, company negotiation, or sometimes a custom. No text obliges the employer to pay it. In some cases, the medal comes with additional days off in addition to the monetary reward, while in others, only a form of symbolic recognition remains.
The amount varies from one sector to another: some sectors, like metallurgy, provide up to 1/12 of the annual salary, while construction often opts for half a monthly salary. This diversity creates significant disparities among beneficiaries, depending on seniority and sector.
To clarify, here’s what to expect practically:
- The bonus is distinctly indicated on the payslip, under the mention “work honor medal bonus.”
- It is included in the taxable net income and must be declared during the annual income tax declaration.
- Its amount has a direct effect on the rate and amount of withholding tax.
Until now, this seniority bonus represented a real advantage, especially for low-income earners. Its taxation, a point particularly contested by the CFTC, reshuffles the cards. For 2026, the work medal marks the end of an exception. The balance between recognition and taxation is being redrawn without ambiguity: each must draw their own consequences based on their situation. The medals will no longer have quite the same flavor.