The Government Decree 451/2023 (X.4.) on the rules applicable to the taxation of certain benefits in emergency situations was published in the Hungarian Official Gazette late in the evening of 4 October 2023, according to which from 16 November 2023 businesses may purchase wines for representational purposes tax-free. This regulation was maintained in 2024.  

Christmas is also an important time for corporate gift giving. It is also a time when businesses give gifts to their partners and employees to thank them for their cooperation over the past period. Among the wide range of gifts, the Government Decree of 4 October 2023 provides for a tax exemption on wine as a gift.

What exactly does the tax exemption cover?

In short: Hungarian winemaker, Hungarian wine. Hungarian. It may be given tax-free: in the context of a representative catering event, in the context of a non-representational event, as a business gift and as a small gift. Importantly, wine not directly purchased from the winery, i.e. from shops, is not exempt. The legislation does not overlook company Christmas parties, whether professional or leisure events, where the wine served is also exempt.

How much does the company save?

From 16 November 2023, wines that meet the above conditions will be exempt from paying 15% VAT and 13% soco on a taxable amount of 1.18%. In our example, we have calculated a wine of HUF 3,000, and the derivation of this calculation shows that so far, corporate taxpayers have had to pay HUF 3,991, or 33.04% tax, while small business taxpayers have had to pay less, HUF 831, or 27.7% tax on the purchase price. This was changed to HUF 0.

If you have any tax questions, please contact us.