Wages include all forms of earnings, such as salary, hourly earnings, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and fringe benefits and wage supplements.
2025 Exempt Status Salary Threshold by City and State State(Effective 1/1/25 unless otherwise noted) 2025 ChangeMid Year 2025 Change Maryland $35,568 (Federal) N/A Montgomery County, MD $35,568 (Federal) N/A Massachusetts $35,568 (Federal) N/A Michigan $35,568 (Federal) N/A60 more rows •
12 Employee Bonus Ideas To Engage the Workforce Learning and Development Bonuses. Innovation Bonuses. Sign-On Bonuses. Milestone Bonuses. Holiday Bonuses. Referral Bonuses. Spot Bonuses. Wellness Bonuses.
Request a Non-Financial Bonus You may be able to reduce taxes on your bonus to zero by asking your employer to make it a non-financial bonus. Examples of non-financial bonuses could include the ability to work from home or work flexible hours.
Whether a bonus is discretionary or based on specific criteria, both are considered “wages” under California Labor Code.
Your base salary and bonus opportunities make up your annual income .
Bonuses are considered earned income just like your salary or other work wages, which means they're subject to ordinary income tax rates. When it comes time to file your annual tax return, you'll see your bonus amount combined with other earned income and listed in Box 1 of your W-2.
If you believe your employer owes you $5,000 or less, you can file a case in small claims court for the unpaid wages. Small claims cases are heard by the District Court, and usually involve relatively simple court procedures.