NEW IRS ADVICE ON TAXABILITY OF GIFT CARDS BY MARILEE BASARABA, FSLG SPECIALIST (PACIFIC) Many employers give employees birthday or holiday gifts. NSW and SA implemented changes to Gift Voucher legislation last year. On 1 November 2019, new national rules around gift cards will come into effect. Now, as of November 01, 2019, all Australian States and Territories are following suit and all across Australia, the 3year expiry date will be … On a state-by-state basis, the biggest differences consumers face are the rules governing fees, the rules on whether balances escheat – that is, return to – the state if unclaimed, the rules on whether cards can be reclaimed for cash, and the rules on whether a legal definition separates gift cards and gift certificates. The federal law defines a 'gift card' as an article that is commonly known to be a gift card or voucher, whether in physical or electronic form, and is redeemable for goods and services. The expiry date must be clearly shown. Gift cards and vouchers. The new law will place a ban on contract terms that require gift vouchers to be spent in one transaction. protection of all, so it pays to know the law. Understanding the new laws around gift vouchers. A gift card may be in physical or electronic form. If a business uses vouchers and gift cards, it is providing consumers with a ‘non-cash payment facility’. With the exception of a few limited-use gift cards and vouchers, gift cards sold in Australia will have a minimum 3-year expiry period, and the expiry date must be clearly displayed on the card or voucher. Texas H.B. 1 The Explanatory Memorandum to the new law suggests the following items are not commonly known as gift cards (and therefore will not be bound by the new laws … Laws applying to gift vouchers and gift cards. You can often find the terms and conditions on the card or voucher itself, or if purchased online, in the email. 156 S.B. Adopts a new law in order to regulate the sale and use of gift cards, which will be known as the Law of Gift Cards. For more information on those protections, go to www.consumerfinance.gov or www.ftc.gov. Federal law also offers some protections for those who buy and use gift cards. Thus, ending the practice whereby vouchers go out of date and lose their value entirely. 2391 As per RTÉ, gift vouchers sold from now on must ensure a minimum expiry date of five years. A gift card, also known as a gift voucher, is usually loaded with an amount of money that enables the recipient to exchange it for goods or services to the value of the amount on the card. Using a gift card It may be provided as a card, voucher or a code sent … From 1 November 2019, all gift cards and vouchers sold must be valid for at least three years. Tennessee H.B. These gifts take a variety of forms including a turkey, a ham, a gift basket, or a coupon to purchase a turkey or a ham at a local grocery store. Did you know gift vouchers must now be valid for 3 years!! 923 Requires that sales of gift cards be made person-to-person and requires nonrenewal and suspension of eligibility for reissuance of a violator's business tax license. The new law … Before you buy gift cards or vouchers, make sure you check the terms and conditions so you can answer these key questions. It aims to do this by providing new, clear rules which separate vouchers with a single purpose (for example a traditional book token) from the more complex gift vouchers. From 2 December 2019, new legislation sees the extension of consumer protections for those buying gift vouchers. 1-800-242-5846 or 973-504-6200 Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at: (toll free within New Jersey)