What Is Bonus Pay, bonuses.

Bonuses


The FLSA also explains that some employees are exempt from its overtime rules if they are: executives, especially those in senior roles, may have contracts that require the company to pay out bonuses.

Real forex bonuses


What Is Bonus Pay, bonuses.


What Is Bonus Pay, bonuses.


What Is Bonus Pay, bonuses.

These bonuses are often dependent on the company meeting specific revenue targets. The employer may also base them on different criteria such as sales, employee retention, or meeting growth goals.


What is bonus pay?


Definition and examples of bonus pay


A woman uses her smartphone to electronically deposit her bonus check.


Bonus pay is compensation in addition to the amount of pay specified as a base salary or hourly rate of pay.


Learn more about when employers hand out bonus pay and what rules come into play.


What is bonus pay?


Bonus pay is additional pay given to an employee on top of their regular earnings; it's used by many organizations as a thank-you to employees or a team that achieves significant goals. Bonus pay is also offered to improve employee morale, motivation, and productivity. When a company ties bonuses to performance, it can encourage employees to reach their goals, which in turn helps the company reach its goals.


How does bonus pay work?


Bonuses may be discretionary or nondiscretionary; in other words, they may be paid out as and when the company sees fit, or they may be specified in an employment contract or other documentation.


Discretionary bonuses: an employer may distribute bonus pay at their discretion, perhaps as a reward for high performance, for an employee-of-the-month program, or for a successful referral of a new employee. Discretionary bonuses are not required to be paid out, and the amount of the bonus is up to to the employer.


For example, many companies do year-end or holiday bonuses. If they are not part of a contract or otherwise promised, they are discretionary bonuses.


Nondiscretionary bonuses: nondiscretionary bonuses are known and expected by the employee. They may be based on a predetermined formula, or on factors such as attendance. They are generally included in the regular rate of pay, which is specified in the employee offer letter, in the employee personnel file, or a contract.


Say, for example, an employer provides an incentive pay plan for employees who achieve certain performance benchmarks. Since the employee knows what is required of them in order to receive the bonus, it would be a nondiscretionary bonus.


The fair labor standards act (FLSA) states that all employee compensation is included in the base rate of pay, which is used to determine overtime pay, but that some bonuses may be excludable if certain criteria are met:



  • The employer can decide whether to pay the bonus.

  • The employer can decide the amount of the bonus.

  • The bonus is not paid according to any agreement or otherwise expected to be paid.  


The FLSA also explains that some employees are exempt from its overtime rules if they are:



  • Paid a fixed salary, which doesn't change based on their time or efforts

  • Paid at least a minimum weekly amount of $684

  • Primarily perform "executive, administrative, or professional duties"


Exempt employees may be paid up to 10% of their salary in nondiscretionary bonuses and incentives in order to fulfill the FLSA salary requirements.  


Types of bonus payments


There are several different instances in which a company may issue bonus payments.


Contracted bonus payments


Executives, especially those in senior roles, may have contracts that require the company to pay out bonuses. These bonuses are often dependent on the company meeting specific revenue targets. The employer may also base them on different criteria such as sales, employee retention, or meeting growth goals.


Executive bonus payments are not always tied to performance results. Contracted bonus pay is not common outside of the executive suite.


Performance bonus payments


Some companies offer bonuses to people below the executive level as well. These bonuses can be based on many different factors.



  • Personal performance: employees are rated based on how they met or exceeded the goals set by their management. This type of bonus can also reward soft skills that had an impact on the organization's performance, such as leadership, effective communication, problem-solving, and collaboration.

  • Company goals: an employee would receive a bonus based on how well the company performed as a whole. If an employee had an outstanding year but the company didn't do well overall, the employee wouldn't receive the bonus. But if the company exceeds its goals, it's possible the bonus may be higher.

  • Pay grade: typically, if you're paid more money, you're eligible for a higher bonus. As an example, a company might pay one employee $50,000 a year and make them eligible for a 5% bonus if goals are met, but pay another employee $100,000 a year with a possible 10% bonus. Bonuses based on pay grade recognize that a senior employee may have a more significant impact on the company's performance.


Sales commissions


If you're a sales employee (inside or outside), commissions are generally a good portion of your pay. These are often referred to as bonuses as well, but they differ from other bonuses in that they are directly tied to your sales numbers and generally not to anything else. Some companies cap the total sales bonus an individual employee can receive.


One structure of bonus payments frequently found in sales organizations is to reward sales performance at specified levels above commission. Some sales organizations reward employees with bonus pay without commission.


Other organizations set team sales goals instead of individual sales goals. As a team member, you'd earn the same as the other team members make, a portion of the pooled commissions, and bonus, if available.



Bonus


What is a bonus?


A bonus is a financial compensation that is above and beyond the normal payment expectations of its recipient. Companies may award bonuses to both entry-level employees and to senior-level executives. While bonuses are traditionally given to exceptional workers, employers sometimes dole out bonuses company-wide to stave off jealousy among staffers.


Bonuses may be dangled as incentives to prospective employees and they can be given to current employees to reward performance and increase employee retention. Companies can distribute bonuses to its existing shareholders through a bonus issue, which is an offer of free additional shares of the company's stock.


Key takeaways



  • A bonus is a financial compensation that is above and beyond the normal payment expectations of its recipient.

  • Bonuses may be awarded by a company as an incentive or to reward good performance.

  • Typical incentive bonuses a company can give employees include signing, referral, and retention bonuses.

  • Companies have various ways they can award employee bonuses, including cash, stock, and stock options.


Understanding bonuses


In workplace settings, a bonus is a type of compensation an employer gives to an employee that complements their base pay or salary. A company may use bonuses to reward achievements, to show gratitude to employees who meet longevity milestones, or to entice not-yet employees to join a company's ranks.


The internal revenue service (IRS) considers bonuses as taxable income, which means employees will need to report any bonuses they receive when filing their taxes.  


Incentive bonuses


Incentive bonuses include signing bonuses, referral bonuses, and retention bonuses. A signing bonus is a monetary offer that companies extend to top-talent candidates to entice them to accept a position—especially if they are being aggressively pursued by rival firms. In theory, paying an initial bonus payment will result in greater company profits down the line. Signing bonuses are routinely offered by professional sports teams attempting to lure top-tier athletes away from competitive clubs.


Referral bonuses are presented to employees who recommend candidates for open positions, which ultimately leads to the hiring of said candidates. Referral bonuses incentivize employees to refer prospects with strong work ethics, sharp skills, and positive attitudes.


Companies offer retention bonuses to key employees, in an effort to encourage loyalty, especially in downward economies or periods of organizational changes. This financial incentive is an expression of gratitude that lets employees know their jobs are secure over the long haul.


Performance bonuses


Performance bonuses reward employees for exceptional work. They are customarily offered after the completion of projects or at the end of fiscal quarters or years. Performance bonuses may be doled out to individuals, teams, departments, or to the company-wide staff. A reward bonus may be either a one-time offer or a periodic payment. While reward bonuses are usually given in cash, they sometimes take the form of stock compensation, gift cards, time off, holiday turkeys, or simple verbal expressions of appreciation.


Examples of reward bonuses include annual bonuses, spot bonus awards, and milestone bonuses. Spot bonuses, which reward employees who deserve special recognition, are micro-bonus payments, typically valued at around $50. Workers who reach longevity milestones—for example, 10 years of employment with a given firm—may be recognized with additional compensation.


Some businesses build bonus structures into employee contracts, where any profits earned during a fiscal year will be shared amongst the employees. In most cases, C-suite executives are awarded larger bonuses than lower-level employees.


Bonus inflation


While bonuses are traditionally issued to high-performing, profit-generating employees, some companies opt to issue bonuses to lower-performing employees as well, even though businesses that do this tend to grow more slowly and generate less money. Some businesses resort to distributing across-the-board bonuses in an effort to quell jealousies and employee backlash. After all, it's easier for management to pay bonuses to everyone than to explain to inadequate performers why they were denied.


Furthermore, it can be difficult for an employer to accurately assess their employees' performance success. For example, employees who fail to make their activity quotas may be very hard workers. However, their performance may be hampered by any number of conditions out of their control, such as unavoidable production delays or an economic downturn.


Bonuses in lieu of pay


Companies are increasingly replacing raises with bonuses—a trend that vexes many employees. While employers can keep wage increases low by pledging to fill pay gaps with bonuses, they are under no obligation to follow through. Because employers pay bonuses on a discretionary basis, they may keep their fixed costs low by withholding bonuses during slow years or recessionary periods. This approach is much more viable than increasing salaries annually, only to cut wages during a recession.


Dividends and bonus shares


In addition to employees, shareholders may receive bonuses in the shape of dividends, which are carved from the profits realized by the company. In lieu of cash dividends, a company can issue bonus shares to investors. If the company is short on cash, the bonus shares of company stock provide a way for it to reward shareholders who expect a regular income from owning the company's stock. The shareholders may then sell the bonus shares to meet their cash needs or they can opt to hold onto the shares.



Discover the best casino bonuses


What Is Bonus Pay, bonuses.


About casino bonuses


Casino bonuses


Online gaming has become hugely popular, and there's one reason why it's gained extra popularity - the bonuses. Unlike land-based casinos, online sites are able to offer players lucrative bonuses and promotions that can really boost your bankroll. However, online sites will differ dramatically with what and how they offer these promotions so you will need to know what to look for to find the best bonuses out there. UK players, read on! We're about to help you!


How to find casino bonuses


With so many different bonuses out there, it can be very hard for you to know which ones are the best ones to take on. With that in mind, we're here to help you out. We're all about providing you with the best information so that you can go out and make an informed choice about where to get the best bonus deals from. In order to do this, we cover:



  • Different types of bonuses

  • Which bonuses make the best bonuses

  • What wagering requirements are

  • . And more!



Part of the way we help you out is by offering up comprehensive information regarding bonuses. We take a look at all the bonuses found at casinos online, compiling the ones we think are the best and presenting these to you on a platter. In this way, you can save a lot of time, and just jump right on into playing along with any promo codes we provide for you.


We also want to give you the tools for you to go out and look for bonuses of your own, helping you choose one that best suits your needs. To that end, we provide you with a wide range of information about online casino bonuses. This includes expanding on what the different bonus types are, what casinos get out of offering them, and more importantly, what you can get out of taking on a casino bonus.


Types of bonuses out there


Bonuses are hugely popular at online casinos, something which helps to make them stand out from offline venues. However, within these bonus offers, there are a number of different options available, some of which can be more appealing than others, depending on what you are looking for in your bonuses. There are two main types of bonuses: those which you have to make a deposit in order to gain, and those you can get without doing so.



  • Deposit bonuses include match deposit bonuses, cashback and reloads

  • No deposit bonuses include free spins, small bonus cash offers



Of these, the more commonly found bonus option is the deposit bonus. What this means is that in order to get this bonus, you will need to sign up to the casino and then make a deposit. The amount you need to deposit will depend on the casino - there's always a minimum. Deposit bonuses can also be affected by the payment method you use. In some cases, you may be required to add a code to claim.


Welcome bonus


The welcome bonus is one of the most commonly found online casino bonuses. Generally, this is given as a match deposit bonus, though some welcome bonuses can be found where no deposit is required. A match deposit bonus is the option that tends to vary the most online. Often this is where the casino will match your deposit 100%, boosting your bankroll for when you play online. However, the amount awarded can vary.



  • Match deposit bonuses can range from 50% to 400%

  • Welcome bonuses can be split



Some casinos will only offer a single welcome bonus that's attached to the first deposit you make. However, some casinos will spread this deposit across a number of deposits. Often these deposits will have different percentages available for each part of that bonus. They will also differ in how much the casino will match up to - there's always a cap, so a high match percentage doesn't necessarily mean a better bonus. More on that later!


No deposit bonuses


Needless to say, most players are always on the lookout for an exciting no deposit bonus. These bonuses truly give you a gaming experience completely for free. For the most part, though, you will need to sign up to the casino in order to access this bonus, but that's it. Once the registration process has been completed and your account verified, the bonus is usually added to your account automatically.


Similar to the deposit bonus, there are some cases where you might need to input a bonus code in order to claim or show your interest in this bonus. In these cases, we will be giving you the bonus code here on aboutslots.Com. Within no deposit bonuses, there are a number of different options that you might come across - which one you choose is completely up to you and what you are looking for.


No deposit bonuses aren't completely without a catch though, there are always some wagering requirements attached. Some of these bonuses are also sticky, meaning you'll have to play through the entire amount for any requirements. However, many are completely free with no requirements at all, so it's worth keeping an eye out for those options. There are usually a couple of different no deposit bonus options available when you join a casino, and these include:



  1. Free spins for specific slot games

  2. Free bonus credit to use on any casino game



Free spins


Free spins are the most popular bonus option. When they're part of a no deposit bonus, then usually only a small number, around ten, are offered for use on a specific slot. If the free spins are part of a match deposit bonus, arguably, you've still not put any money down to receive them and therefore they still count as a no deposit option. These types of spins are often awarded in much higher quantities, sometimes hundreds.


The only major downside to taking on free spins is that they are usually only applicable to a specific slot game. If you get free spins on a slot you don't want to play, unfortunately that's just tough. It is worth looking around to see which slot the spins are attached to and choosing your bonus that way. It's also worth pointing out that these spins will be played at the lowest bet value.


Quick credit


The other option available for no deposit bonuses is a no deposit credit offer. Similar to the free spins, all you will need to do is sign up to the casino and the credit will be added instantly to your account. Usually, this is not a large amount - often just ВЈ5 - but it can go a long way if you know what you are doing. Plus you can get in some practice.


This is because, in contrast to the free spins, this bonus credit is usually available on all the games at the casino. There are no specific games this bonus can be played on, which means you can test out virtual games, live dealer options or choose to play the slot of your dreams. The only issue comes at the end if you need to meet wagering requirements, but we will discuss that in detail below.


Bonuses for those who stay on


Good casinos that consider their players will have additional bonuses that are awarded to loyal players long after they were new. In this way, casinos are able to encourage repeated visits to their site while keeping you happy. Commonly casinos will offer reload bonuses when you make another deposit into your account. Often this will be a weekly thing, with casinos setting aside a specific reload match deposit day for players.


Some casinos will offer this only once a month. The difference between this and the welcome match deposit relates simply to how much you are playing, winning and depositing at the casino. Usually, the percentage match that you are offered, and the maximum deposit you can make, are actually calculated on the basis of how much you deposited in the time-frame leading up to the reload. In short, the more you deposit, the more you will get.


High roller and banking bonuses


Casinos will also make sure they cater to VIP or high roller players too. In most cases, the style of the bonus is exactly the same, i.E. There are match deposit options and no deposit options. However, the differences lie in how much money is deposited and how much is matched. High rollers tend to make larger single deposits; however, casinos will generally only match these at lower percentages such as 50%.


You can also score additional bonuses depending on the banking method you use. It's worth noting here that some methods such as skrill, paypal or neteller are often excluded from bonuses entirely, meaning you will have to choose a different deposit method. However, the use of other banking options may actually elicit additional, or larger bonuses when you use them for a first deposit, so make sure you check out these options.


Loyalty programmes


Finally, many casinos will have loyalty programmes in place. Now, these are not just aimed at high rollers and vips, but for all players joining in the site. Most casinos will have the loyalty programme available for free, and as soon as you start playing with real money you will be added to that programme, joining on the bottom tier. By playing with real money, you will earn points from the casino.


As you accrue these points from real-time gaming, you will go up the tiers. Each loyalty programme will have a specified number of tiers, each with a point goal to reach before you can move on to the next level. Some casinos will also offer a bonus shop where you can exchange points received for some extra prizes or goodies. The higher up the levels you go, the better the prizes will be.


Casino bonus wagering requirements


You'll have heard us talking about wagering requirements a lot now, and there's a good reason for it. These requirements are in place to protect casinos from fraud! That's right, online casinos can be cheated by players. In order to prevent players from using and abusing a bonus, casinos will have wagering requirements in place so that players can't simply grab a bonus and cash out, essentially stealing the money. It also prevents money laundering.


The playthrough requirement is different at each casino and can be anywhere from 2x to 70x. What this means is that the money you gain from the bonus must be played through that number of times. Getting a ВЈ5 bonus with requirements of 20x means you need to play ВЈ100 before you can withdraw any winnings. This can be quite hard, especially with higher requirements, which is why we recommend choosing bonuses at 20-30x max.


Extra requirements


On top of the playthrough requirement, there are usually a number of other restrictions in place too. One of these is which games contribute to the playthrough requirement. Not all games are eligible for this. This means that even if you wager money, it might not count. Generally, playing slot games counts 100%, although some slots are exempt. Other games such as virtual table games, video poker or live dealer games will contribute smaller amounts.


It's also important to check out the expiration date of your bonus. Many bonuses will need you to reach the requirements within a certain timeframe. Some casinos give you up to a month to do so, while others will only give you a couple of days. Make sure you check these requirements, because overlooking them can mean that you end up not meeting them and forfeiting your bonus, and any winnings entirely.


Taking on a casino bonus


With all this to think about, you may be wondering whether it's worth taking on a casino bonus at all! The quick answer here is that yes it is. However, you need to know what to look for and how to use it properly. Casino bonuses are a great way to check out the casino as a whole, giving you the perfect opportunity to test out the setup and the games on offer.


While you may not end up winning any money, or walking away any richer, you will have gained valuable experience with not much of your own money being put down. If you get a no deposit bonus you won't have spent anything at all! Taking on a bonus can also give you an idea of the processes behind the casino and, of course, you may end up getting lucky and getting a win for free as well.


Cons to casino bonuses


Of course, as we have already addressed, there are a number of downsides when it comes to accepting casino bonuses - those wagering requirements for one. In some, very rare, instances, casinos will offer bonuses with no requirements at all, and these we recommend snapping up at once. Another downside is those sticky bonuses. This means that the free credit remains in your account even when you clear the playthrough, allowing you to only cash out any winnings.


The limited timeframe to meet any requirements is also a hurdle, especially for those of you not playing regularly. There are also issues with country restrictions. Some countries can't even get a bonus at a specific casino. With that in mind, we only recommend casino bonuses that you will be able to get. Finally, there are often withdrawal minimums in place so even if you meet the requirements, your winnings might not be enough to withdraw.


Top tips for spotting the best bonus


We are always on the lookout for the best bonuses out there, so keep checking back with us to see what's on offer. However, you can also go and check out some of the options yourself. So, here are a few tips on what to look for when searching for a quality bonus. First, check out those playthrough requirements. Avoid anything that's over 30x as it will be hard to reach.


Look at ALL aspects of the bonus. While a bonus that offers a 400% match may sound great, you will also need to check out how much this can be matched up to. A 400% match only up to ВЈ20 will give you ВЈ100 in total to play with, but a 100% up to ВЈ200 will give you ВЈ400 if you choose to deposit the maximum that is allowed from that casino.


Slot rtps


When looking at free spins offers, you should take a look at the slot games that the spins are attached to. Some casinos will have a large number of free spins on offer, but they might be attached to a small, unknown game that offers low variance play and a low RTP. You should always take on spins that are attached to quality games with an RTP of 96% or higher to make the most of them.


Trends relating to casino bonuses - 2020 and onward


Over the years, casino bonuses have grown in popularity. Traditionally, land-based casinos never gave players bonuses, so this is something developed specifically for the online gaming community. These bonuses have proved to be very successful, giving players more incentive to get playing and enjoy their time online. One of the more recent changes and trends relating to casino bonuses is the ability to access them via a mobile phone, not just on desktops.


With the arrival of mobile phones and their growing usage, it has become more important than ever for casinos to offer bonuses that not only work across platforms but also can be accepted via mobiles. Welcome bonuses are also growing in size and in what they offer. With more welcome bonuses essentially offering players a free trial at the casino, they are able to encourage more players to check out their site and potentially sign up.



  • Mobile phone bonuses

  • Bigger and better welcome bonuses

  • Increased gamification



The latest trend is to offer more gamification features within an online casino. This means that more sites are offering additional missions, tournaments or other ways for players to get hold of bonus points that can then be exchanged for rewards within the casino. It's probable that this will grow in the future, giving players more ways of accessing bonuses and even providing players with more choice for which bonus they choose to accept.


Why do casinos give bonuses?


At this point you may be thinking it's counterintuitive for casinos to be, essentially, giving away money to players. What's in it for them?, you might think. Well, casinos are all about getting customers to their sites and keeping them. By offering you a lucrative welcome bonus, they encourage you to sign up in the first place. With some bonuses awarded over a span of days, they encourage you to return daily to claim it.


In this way, they start to build a habit of logging in to their site. If you're successful with a bonus, those wagering requirements will keep you playing, putting money back into the casino as you hope that you will score a win. At the end of the day, they're simply hoping you enjoy their platform so much that you will be ready to deposit your own money in order to keep playing.


Final thoughts


Despite those pesky wagering requirements, casino bonuses are a great way to get in some experience at a casino or game. If you choose wisely, taking note of our suggestions, then you might even be able to withdraw some of your bonus winnings too, making the experience an even better one. Don't forget to consider all the tips we've given when bonus hunting or check with us here for the latest and greatest bonuses.


Is it safe to take on a casino bonus?


Yes, it is, as long as you are playing at a casino that's properly licensed and regulated. Bonuses and any information you provide will be protected by the casino's encryption protocols, plus you're often not making a deposit anyway so there's no need to worry about losing money.


Are casino bonuses worth it?


There are a number of different bonus types out there, so it is important to select one that will give you the return you're looking for. That being said, simply getting experience of playing a specific game or at a casino is worth it even if you don't win money.


What are bonus wagering requirements?


Wagering requirements are a series of terms and conditions that are attached to a bonus. Players will need to meet these requirements if they intend to withdraw any winnings made from the bonus. It will include playthrough, the timeframe to use the bonus and a minimum withdrawal amount.


Why do casinos give away bonuses?


Casinos give players bonuses in order to encourage them to sign up to their site. These bonuses may seem like they are giving away money, but in the end, they will receive more than they give out. Ongoing or loyalty bonuses encourage players to return to the site.


Can I win money using a casino bonus?


Yes, you can, but it can be a little difficult. Being able to win and withdraw the cash will depend on whether the casino has high wagering requirements in place, whether it's a sticky bonus and even on the minimum withdrawal limits that are set by the site.



No deposit casino bonuses and bonus codes for 2021


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We’ve done our best to put together the following listing of free casino bonuses which should suit your needs the most. The list is based mostly on your country, as many bonuses are only valid to players from certain countries. However, other ranging factors, such as the bonus value and the casino's rating, have been added into the mix as well.


If we haven’t guessed your country correctly from your IP address, you can change it by clicking the flag in the top right corner.


If you are new to no deposit casino bonuses , the answers to the following questions may interest you:


Note: you should be aware that not all casinos treat their players fairly. That's why we recommend reading our casino reviews before registering and using our list of best online casinos when choosing a new site to play at, especially if you intend to deposit your own money into the casino.


Introduction to free slot bonuses


No deposit bonuses are a promotion given by online casinos to attract new players. These bonuses usually take the form of free credit , which can be used to bet on various games, or the form of several prepaid spins on certain slots.


No-deposit bonuses are usually given as a gift to attract new players . The main goal of these bonuses is to promote the casino's brand and get an email address or a phone number from potential players. These contacts will very likely be used for marketing purposes.


Terms and conditions of free registration bonuses


"one bonus per player" is the most important of the no deposit bonus policies. As the bonus is free, the casino obviously doesn’t want to give it to the same player over and over. If you manage to meet the bonus wagering requirements and want to withdraw your win, the casino will verify your identity. If you have signed up yourself as john smith (and it isn't your actual name), you’ll never make a successful withdrawal.


Casinos are quite smart when it comes to this, so your only chance is to sign up with your own name and only once for every bonus and every casino.


If a bonus has the form of a free credit, you’ll have to roll it over many times before you can withdraw. No deposit bonuses have very high wagering requirements – sometimes up to 100x.


This means that if you got $10 of free credit, you’ll have to play for example 1000 spins at $1 each to roll it over. Note that not all games are allowed to be played with the bonus credit, and not all games contribute at the same rate to roll over requirements. For example blackjack is usually either completely forbidden, or contributes only 5% of each bet. In that case you would need to place 20 times more bets on blackjack than on slots.


In the case of prepaid spins, the casino will total your winnings from these spins. When you finish spinning, you’ll have to roll over the total amount you’ve won in free spins many times over.


You won $3.69 from 10 free spins on starburst. With 50x wagering requirements, you’ll have to bet more than $184.50 in total to be able to withdraw your money.


You will lose the vast majority of free bonuses before meeting the wagering requirements. But if you are lucky enough to roll the bonus over, then you have to be aware of the MAXIMUM CONVERTED VALUE rule. Even if you end up with a bonus value higher than $500, you usually won’t be allowed to withdraw more than $50-$100.


Another rule is the maximum allowed bet . If the casino defines the maximum bet when playing with a bonus, you must not exceed it. Otherwise, the casino will have an excuse to refuse to pay you out. And the majority of casinos really will use this excuse. Be aware that this rule is not enforced by the casino system, so it’s up to you to read bonus terms and conditions carefully .


The last rule applied by some casinos is that you’ll need to make a deposit before cashing out your no deposit bonus. I think that casinos use this as another form of verification. But be careful, because some casinos may try to trick you and force you to play with this "verification deposit". Always ask on live chat to make sure you understand the terms and conditions properly - and save the conversation.


Can I really win on slots without risking my money?


Many casinos are fair about their no deposit promotions, and a clear reputation is one of their most important assets. We are quite strict when it comes to casinos that don’t keep their word.


The maximum win is usually limited, and an amount like $50 is too low to risk the casino’s reputation.


How do casinos make money on free slots bonuses?


The answer is simple: they don’t.


From the casino’s perspective, no deposit bonuses on slots are an expense for marketing . The casino hopes to attract new players, which will spread the word about their brand. Also, some players will stay and deposit real money.


A lot depends on the habits of players from every particular country . Players from western europe are more likely to be real casual players. This kind of player often makes a small deposit after playing with a no deposit bonus. Players from russia and eastern europe are more likely to be pure bonus gatherers who are looking just for a profit without the risk. That is the reason why most casinos don’t give free bonuses to players from these countries.


Despite the fact that high rollers and the most valuable players are usually not very interested in 10 free spins at $0.10 each, no deposit bonuses can help the casinos attract at least casual players . With a long term perspective, these bonuses may pay for themselves.


Can I get a casino registration bonus several times?


Casinos are very strict about the one bonus per player policy , and childish attempts get around it have no chance to succeed. You have to sign up with a name for which you have a valid ID and passport.



  • If you are not able to prove your identity, you won’t get paid.

  • If you sign up multiple times from same IP, you won’t get paid.

  • If you slightly modify your name, you won’t get paid.



Our advice is: don’t try to do that . Casinos have to pay for the free spins to the game providers, so you’ll just increase their expenses and won’t help yourself in any way. The only effect will be that you piss the casino manager off, and he may exclude players from your country from this promotion in the future.


Instead of using a no deposit bonus multiple times, we suggest looking for other bonuses from different casinos , either in our list of no deposit bonuses, or on other websites, such as lcb.Org. Another well renowned website is nodepositfriend.Com, which offers a comprehensive list with numerous no deposit bonus offers for you to enjoy. If you've already used all bonuses listed here, on casino guru, remember that there are other sites where you can find new bonus offers for you to try.


No deposit bonuses FAQ


What are no deposit bonuses?


No deposit bonuses are a type of casino bonuses given to players without the need for them to deposit their own money into the casino. Casinos use them as a promotional tool to give new players an incentive to create an account and start playing. No deposit bonuses make it possible to essentially gamble for free, but their values are generally low.


How do no deposit bonuses work?


Using a no deposit bonus is simple. They are given to new players as a reward for registering. Some of them are given to players automatically, while others require entering a specific promotional code, or contacting the customer support and asking for it. After getting a bonus, players are free to play with it but have to follow rules specified by the casino. These rules differ from bonus to bonus and generally also influence how much you can win from your bonus, so it is good to check them out in advance.


Can I claim all listed no deposit bonuses?


You can only have one account in each casino and claim each free bonus just once, however, there is a big number of online casinos, and many of them offer no deposit bonuses to new players. That said, no deposit bonuses are generally offered only to players from selected countries, so you will only be able to use those offered to residents of your country.


What types of no deposit bonuses are there?


There are two main types of no deposit bonuses – free spins and free cash. Both allow players to play real-money casino games for free, but there is an important difference. Free spin bonuses are tied to specific slots, while free cash bonuses can be used on any game that has not been restricted for that bonus.


What are free cash bonuses?


Free cash bonuses are a type of no deposit casino bonuses. After a player claims them, the bonus amount is added to their player account as bonus money. The player can then play any casino games, with the exception of so-called restricted games, which are specified in the terms and conditions of each specific bonus. We advise reading the T&cs before playing.


What are free spin bonuses?


Free spin bonuses are a type of no deposit casino bonuses. These bonuses grant the player the possibility to play a certain number of spins on selected slot machines. The amount the player wins is then added to their player account as bonus money, and wagering requirements need to be met to be able to make a withdrawal.


Can I play any games with my bonus?


Generally speaking, no. Most casino bonuses, including the no deposit ones, have some restricted games specified in their terms and conditions. This means that you can play all casino games apart from those that have been restricted.


Additionally, for free spin bonuses, the free spins you get from the casino can generally be used just on selected slot machine or slot machines.


What are wagering requirements?


Wagering requirements are a key part of all online casino bonuses. You can’t just get a bonus and instantly withdraw your money. Before being allowed to make a withdrawal, you need to play with your bonus money. Wagering requirements describe how many times you need to play through your bonus money to "unlock" it for a withdrawal.


For example, if you get a $10 bonus with 40x wagering requirements, it means you need to place bets with a total value of $400 before making a withdrawal.



Paying bonuses to employees - tax effects


vintage photo of a man writing in a financial ledger


Many employers are paying bonuses to employees instead of giving raises. It's easier to give bonuses in one year and not the next, rather than to give pay raises that are built into the employee's base compensation. Bonuses are a great incentive for employees, but before you decide to hand them out, be sure you know the tax implications first - to your business and your employees.



A bonus is a special payment given to someone as a reward for good work or achievement. The bonus is an additional payment to an employee beyond their salary or hourly pay.


It's always nice to give a bonus in a special check, to make it stand out as important.


Bonuses may be contractual, such as sales bonuses for salespeople, or they may be for performance awards. Another type of bonus is a special holiday bonus to a group of employees who have met a specific sales or production goal or for overall yearly profitability.


Deducting employee bonuses as a business expense


If you have some cash and expect to make a profit this year, it's a good time to pay bonuses to employees. In addition to receiving a business tax deduction for these benefit expenses, you also receive much goodwill from employees, especially around the holidays.


Announce the bonus as a one-time event, so you don't give the expectation that you will be giving out bonuses each year. When you do something for employees once, they expect it the next time. When you do it twice, employees see it as an employment right and they start demanding it.


Bonuses are a deductible business expense, in the category of "payments to employees." if you give bonuses to some employees and not others, make sure you have a clear rationale for this difference. You may want to give performance-related bonuses, tied to evaluations, for example. In this, as in other employee practices, you must not discriminate against employees.  


Bonuses to employee/owners


Bonuses are not considered deductible expenses for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and limited liability companies (llcs) because the owners/partners/members are considered by the IRS to be self-employed.


Bonuses as taxable income to employees


Employee bonuses are always taxable to employees as an employee benefit, no matter how or when they are paid. For example, a bonus paid to an employee at the time of hire (sometimes called a "signing bonus") is subject to all employment taxes. The employees must pay federal and state income taxes and FICA taxes (social security and medicare) on bonus pay. You must also include bonus amounts in calculating unemployment taxes, the social security maximum, and the additional medicare tax.  


Withholding taxes on employee bonuses


Bonuses may be considered supplemental wages, not included in regular pay. There are rules for calculating withholding on employee bonuses, depending on how they are paid.


If you pay an employee a bonus combined with their regular wages, withhold federal income tax as if the total were a single payment for a regular payroll period.


If you pay the employee a bonus in a separate check from their regular pay, you can calculate the federal income tax withholding in two different ways:




    • You can withhold a flat 22%, or

    • You can add the bonus to the employee's regular pay and withhold as if the total were a single payment.




If you aren't withholding taxes from the employee's paycheck (maybe because the employee is exempt), you must add the bonus amount to the employee's current paycheck and figure the withholding as if the regular paycheck and the bonus amount are one amount.  


No matter how you calculate the bonus for employee taxes, you must pay the employer part of FICA taxes on bonus amounts.


Don't forget to add bonuses as wages and as social security wages and medicare wages to these two reports:



  • Form 941, the quarterly wage and tax form, and

  • Form W-2, the tax report to employees and the social security administration.



Bonuses and "white collar" employees


Bonuses can be discretionary (at the discretion of the employer) or non-discretionary for certain exempt employees. It's important to know the difference, because non-discretionary bonuses may need to be included in overtime pay calculations.


Employees who are executives, administrators, professionals, and outside sales employees (sometimes called "white-collar employees") are exempt from federal minimum wage and overtime pay requirements, as long as their income is above a specific level. As of january 1, 2020, you can use nondiscretionary bonuses to satisfy up to 10% of the standard salary level for employees, to bring them up to the minimum salary level to keep their exempt status. You can't use discretionary bonuses for this purpose.


Discretionary bonuses. A bonus is discretionary if it's not expected. If you give an employee a performance bonus at the end end of a year one time, that's not discretionary. Holiday bonuses are considered discretionary. You may not use discretionary bonuses to satisfy any portion of the standard salary level. These bonuses are ones in which you as the employer retain the discretion of the fact of the payment and the amount.


Non-discretionary bonuses are those imposed on the employer, by a union contract, employment contract, or as a bonus that employees expect (except for the holiday bonus noted above). Non-discretionary bonuses must be added to weekly gross pay for overtime purposes for hourly employees and for exempt employees who are eligible for overtime.  


These withholding procedures are complicated. See IRS publication 15: supplemental wages for more details or check with your payroll service.


Changing employee withholding for bonuses


If you decide to give your employees a bonus, you should give them the opportunity to change their withholding authorization (on form W-4) for that paycheck, and change it back for subsequent paychecks. Many employees like to change their bonus check withholding, so they receive more of the bonus; this is called "grossing up" the check. They still must pay income taxes and FICA taxes on the bonus amount.



Types of bonuses: 10 bonus programs for employees


Types of bonuses


There are several types of bonuses. Some plans simply give employees a certain share of the company profits, or perhaps a bonus to the entire company. Other programs give incentives to individuals or teams to perform at or above certain thresholds. And a variety of cash and noncash awards are possible for certain types of achievements in some companies. You can even earn bonuses for being hired or getting your friend a job at your company.


The following article details 10 types of bonuses that are typically seen in the workplace.


What is profit sharing?


One very basic type of bonus program is current profit sharing. A company sets aside a predetermined amount; a typical bonus percentage would be 2.5 and 7.5 percent of payroll but sometimes as high as 15 percent, as a bonus on top of base salary. Such bonuses depend on company profits, either the entire company's profitability or from a given line of business. Sometimes the bonuses are given across the board, and sometimes they are given in larger percentages of compensation the more someone makes.


The purpose of profit sharing bonuses is to encourage employees to understand how their work affects the company's performance and to improve the company's profitability. Learn how your company makes money and how your position can help it make more. The annual report and other statements will give you an idea of how the company is performing. It will also make you look good to your manager if you show an interest in the company's performance.


Gain sharing


This type of bonus program is most common in manufacturing plants and is designed to reward productivity and improved product quality. Gain sharing works best when employees become responsible for production quantity and quality and are encouraged to improve the way the product is made. This program reflects a philosophy that employees know their job best.


Gain sharing programs pay out bonuses for statistical improvements in production and quality on a quarterly or sometimes monthly basis, providing a sense of excitement for participants. These programs are often very successful, transforming the manufacturing plant into a center of employee commitment.


Spot bonus award


Some companies reward employees on the spot for achievements that deserve special recognition. Spot bonus awards are typically $50 and up and can be made by your immediate supervisor or any higher-level person in your company. You can get these for just being extra helpful. The math is in employees' favor: companies with spot bonus programs offer approximately 1 percent of payroll and expect to give out such bonuses to 25 percent of the employees eligible for them, allowing them to earn more than one instant bonus in a year.


Noncash bonus


Although the wrong kind of "employee of the month" concept can be cheesy, it's all in the execution. A well designed noncash bonus program can instill pride and improve employee morale. Employees who have done a great job should have to come to the front of a crowded room at a special ceremony as if they are receiving an academy award. The certificate or trophy should be thoughtfully and cleverly designed, and appropriate to the occasion. These awards are sometimes coupled with a token tangible award, such as a gift certificate, a bonus day off, or a great parking space.


You know your company has a good noncash bonus program if these awards are coveted, and if people who receive them display them proudly at their desks or in their homes. Moreover, this type of award may help you get a promotion or a new job, so include it on your resume.


Sign-on bonus


No longer just for star athletes, sign-on bonuses have become commonplace. Their usage now extends to nearly all level of employees, especially when unemployment is low and top talent is hard to find.


Given to new employees who have just joined the company, this award serves two purposes:



  • Establish goodwill

  • Buy out any compensation "left on the table" from a previous employer.



The second purpose is important to remember. Before joining a new company, be sure to account for every kind of compensation program in which you participate. If you are expecting a bonus in a few months, ask your new employer to buy you out of it. If you have any stock options, particularly options that are in the money, ask the employer to buy them out (either in cash or new stock options).


Don't forget to include profit-sharing bonuses or defined contributions (for example, a 401(k) match or an employee stock options program (ESOP)) made to your retirement account. Remember, a sign-on bonus is to keep you whole as you trade one set of compensation programs for a new one.


Medium to large signing bonuses may be paid over a period up to a year to protect the company's interests.


Mission bonus (also known as a task or milestone bonus)


Task bonuses are given to a team of employees for achieving a milestone or for completing an important project. Usually, these bonuses are offered sparingly, but they have been used more frequently in software and hardware development to encourage meeting tight deadlines. Sometimes these programs incorporate a quality measure to guard against too much focus on speed.


Mission bonuses can be significant (one month's salary is not uncommon, and certainly no less than one week). This award is for the kind of achievement that deserves mention in your resume.


Referral bonus


In hot job markets, it can be difficult for employers to find qualified personnel. When talent is scarce, many employers retain recruiters to find candidates, typically paying the recruiter 20 to 30% of the new hire's first-year pay. Many employers prefer to avoid this fee, and instead, offer referral bonuses to employees for recommending friends and acquaintances. Employers are comfortable in hiring friends of employees because employees are unlikely to recommend people who will make them look bad. So don't be afraid to invite your friend to work at your company!


Referral bonuses are typically hundreds to thousands of dollars and typically depend on the level of the new hire. Some firms pay as much as $10,000 to $20,000 if you introduce a new senior person to the firm. So if your former boss is a good fit for an opening, it's worthwhile to let your company know.


Retention bonus


Retention bonuses are given to employees in unusual circumstances, such as a merger or acquisition, or when an important project needs to be completed. These bonuses are designed to provide continuity when there is potential uncertainty about an employee's continued employment at the company. The bonus encourages employees to stay until a specified date so that critical activities can continue without disruption. Retention bonuses are usually about 10 to 15% of salary.


Holiday bonus


Holiday bonuses range from small gifts; from cash to the ubiquitous holiday turkey to one month's salary. The amount is usually dictated by the company's practices. If you do receive one month's salary, count it as part of your salary if you look for work elsewhere. This practice is usually referred to as a "13-month salary," and is not a true bonus since no performance is required to receive it.


Sales commission


Sales commissions are awarded to salespeople for selling. Usually, these awards are paid out as a percentage of sales volume. In some cases, commission percentages can increase with higher sales volume. In fewer cases, the percentage can decrease. It all depends on the scheme. Sales commissions are a significant source of income for sales employees, comprising at least 50% of total cash compensation.


If you are accepting a new job or sales territory, ask for the previous salesperson's sales performance. This will help you determine how likely you are to achieve your quota and sales target. Also, don't forget to construct a business plan based on your understanding of your sales territory. This is key to understanding how easy or difficult hitting your goals will be.



6 questions you have about bonuses, answered


person taking a picture of their paycheck


Ryanjlane/getty images

Think about the last time a checkout clerk offered you a bonus discount on an item or you came across a bonus feature in a movie. You probably felt pretty great, right?


People love the idea of bonuses because “extra” or “free” stuff is hard to pass up. It’s why we get excited as consumers, and also why they intrigue us when considering a job offer.


But bonuses come with a lot of caveats, too. Understanding how they work and why they’re provided in the workplace can help you choose between a job with poor compensation and one where you’re set financially. We’ll break ’em down so you come out feeling like a pro:


1. What is a bonus?


A bonus is “a form of compensation that’s not guaranteed and that is usually paid after the completion of a certain event,” says adi dehejia, the muse’s chief financial officer.


Bonuses come in many shapes and sizes (all of which we’ll explain later), but generally speaking they’re performance-based, meaning a company distributes them based on how an employee or group of employees contributes to team or company goals—typically revenue-based ones.


That said, a lot of bonuses are discretionary, meaning rather than the bonus being tied to a specific quota, your level, or your performance, a manager simply gets to decide who is and isn’t worthy of one, as well as how much the bonus is.


As you can imagine, this makes bonuses a pretty complicated subject for companies and employees alike.


2. Why do companies provide bonuses?


Often bonuses are provided because that’s what the market tells companies to do. If other organizations of similar size, industry, or geography are offering their employees bonuses, a company may feel obligated to do the same to compete for good talent. This is why you’ll rarely find a sales role without a bonus structure.


They also want to hire people who they know are going to perform, and when there’s a reward for output you’ll attract a certain kind of person.


But the main reason employers are drawn to bonuses is because they encourage employees to work hard to help the company succeed. “they want to align incentives—like, ‘you do well if the company does well,’” says dehejia. And it tends to pay off—people who know they can make more money by bringing in more revenue, whether directly (like sales) or indirectly (like marketing or executive leadership) are going to be highly motivated to do so.


“they’re trying to share the risk between the company and the individual,” adds dehejia. When a company does poorly because of poor performance, the employee pays the price with lower compensation—as opposed to someone with no bonus structure who gets paid the exact same way no matter how well the company does.


Some people may find this concept stressful. But the flip side—having a yearly salary without a bonus—means there will be times where you work extra hard and aren’t compensated for that work. It’s a trade-off, and one certain people are willing to make.


Dehejia notes that bonuses are never meant to be the sole driver of employee retention and motivation. Compensation is one means to drive performance, but “it doesn’t substitute for management, [and] it doesn’t substitute for praise, learning and development, training, [and] opportunities,” he says. That’s why companies should always be thinking about the value of their bonus plans and balancing them with other perks and benefits.


3. What types of bonuses are there, and how do they work?


Some bonuses are distributed quarterly, others yearly. Some are a one-time thing, others are recurring. It all depends on what role you’re in, what level you’re at, what you contribute, what your leadership is like, and what kind of company you work for (among many other things).


Annual bonus


An annual bonus is usually based on overall company performance. So you may get a large or small bonus (or no bonus at all) depending on how successful your organization or specific department was that year, as well as how big a part of that success you were. This can also be considered “profit sharing.”


The reason companies wait a full year before paying you is simply because it means you have to stick around longer—which is why very few people leave their jobs before collecting their yearly bonus. It’s also, again, tied to company goals, so they want to ensure they’re driving performance for all 12 months, not just a chunk of the year.


Spot bonus


A spot bonus is for people who go above and beyond and is “usually tied to a task that was outside the scope of your role,” says dehejia. If, for example, you helped out with a special project, worked extra hours, or played an integral part in the company’s success in an unexpected way, your manager can use their discretion to offer you some additional compensation. It’s normally a one-time thing, if not an occasional occurrence depending on budgeting, priorities, and your leadership.


Signing bonus


A signing bonus is a one-time bonus provided when you sign on to a new role. Companies might offer it when an employee is walking away from something better, or if the employee is moving to a new city for the job and the company wants to cover some of the costs (this could also be in the form of a relocation bonus or package). It’s also a way for employers to make up for salary demands they can’t meet. Basically, it’s to incentivize candidates to accept the job.


“and then generally speaking there’s a clause in your employment contract. Which says that if you leave before a certain amount of time, typically a year, you owe the money back to the company,” says dehejia. Unfortunately, it’s hard for companies to enforce this. The risk that companies take is hoping that the bonus actually gets you over the first-year hump and encourages you to stay on longer.


Retention bonus


A retention bonus, similar to a signing bonus, is about retaining valuable talent. It’s typically provided during an acquisition, merger, or big company restructuring to convince someone to stick around for an extra period of time, if they were looking to leave or have a competing offer elsewhere.


“retention bonuses are really paid on the backend,” explains dehejia, meaning you don’t get it until the time period is up.


Referral bonus


A referral bonus is meant to encourage current employees to refer great candidates for jobs at their company. It’s typically not given until the candidate is hired and has stayed on for several months.


The bonus itself, dehejia says, has to “be interesting enough that you actually refer someone,” so it’s usually a good amount of money depending on the job and level—anywhere from $1,000 to several thousand. “sometimes they just do [a] flat [rate] for every role, some companies do a higher amount for roles that are harder to fill,” he adds.


Holiday bonus


Also known as a “13-month salary” or “christmas bonus,” a holiday bonus is another way to recognize employees for a hard year’s work, and to give them an extra boost during an especially expensive time of year. It’s a lot more common for companies based outside the U.S. It’s often—but not always—a set percentage of your annual salary, say anywhere from 5% to 10%.


Commission


Like bonuses, a commission is considered “non-guaranteed compensation,” but legally they’re often defined separately, and they work slightly differently.


Commission is about individual performance. Tons of jobs work under a commission structure (like sales, account management, real estate, finance, and recruiting, to name a few) and payment can be distributed monthly, quarterly, or yearly, depending on the plan and when commission is considered “earned.” (for example, “earned” may be defined as when a client signs a contract, meaning that the employee who sold the deal won’t get their commission until a signature is collected and the deal is verified.)


Commission can be a set percentage—say, a recruiter gets an amount equal to 15-20% of their hire’s first-year salary—or can be defined by a formula, the idea being that everyone at the exact same level has the same formula. This makes it easy for companies both to measure success and hand out compensation and avoid being accused of favoritism.


Your commission is generally tied to a quota or goal, which can be a dollar amount, an amount of items sold, or an amount of closed deals or booked meetings. The idea is that if you get to 100% of your quota, you’ll earn 100% of your commission.


4. So are bonuses a guaranteed thing?


The short answer is no. Most bonuses are discretionary and an addition to someone’s salary, making it practically impossible to force companies to provide them. And there’s no real federal law that states you have a right to a bonus.


If employment is at-will this means a company can fire you without cause or compensation. “so unless you have a written contract, there’s no guarantee that you’re going to get anything. As long as [the bonus is] discretionary, they can do whatever they want,” says employment attorney brian heller, a partner at schwartz perry & heller, LLP.


Commission does sometimes fall under the category of mandatory compensation. New york state labor law, for example, states that any “earned” commission is “legally considered wages and must be paid to the salesperson,” even if that person is fired, laid off, or leaves a job.


But allowing companies to define what “earned” means gives them a lot of leeway. “there [are] a lot of bonuses that say you have to be working for the company when the bonus is issued in order to get it,” says heller. So if you’re terminated (or leave) before your bonus or commission is paid out, you may not technically be entitled to it, even though you feel you’ve rightfully earned it.


And there’s nothing stopping companies who do provide bonuses from divvying them up unequally amongst employees. “favoritism is not against the law, unless it’s based on some type of discrimination,” heller adds.


5. Can bonuses be negotiated?


If you truly believe you deserve more, it’s worth negotiating in some way. This is the case for salary as well as bonuses.


Chelsea williams, a muse career coach and founder and CEO of college code, advises that bonuses be negotiated “before a formal contract is shared”—a.K.A., before you’ve agreed to or signed anything—and that you should “go into the conversation with a clear target—of course this target should be higher than what you truly are hoping to receive.”


Theresa merrill, a salary strategist and interview coach on the muse, worked with a client who would have ended up with a gap between jobs based on their offered start date. “[we] asked for a signing bonus to cover that period of time. First, we asked for an increase in the salary and commission. I always advise clients to negotiate that first. But if you can’t move them on that, then go for the signing bonus. Companies would rather pay that than increase the salary,” she says.


And she argues, don’t just settle for the first offer you get if it doesn’t seem like enough. “if they offer 8K, ask for 10K. Most job seekers get so excited when a signing bonus is extended, they forget to do that.”


She outlines several times when you have the upper hand and thus it’s worth negotiating for a signing bonus:



  • When you have multiple companies interested in you—whether you have official offers or have moved on to the second or third round of interviews. “I had a client who was trying to negotiate an offer and the recruiter asked, ‘do you have other interested parties? That’s something I can go back to the company and present as a reason to up your salary,’” she explains.

  • When the recruiter or hiring manager is the one who pursued you first

  • When you’re leaving an established company to join a startup

  • When you’re moving to another city

  • When you’re accepting a salary that’s less than what you were making previously



Doing your research and having proof is key. “in all cases, strong performance both on behalf of the company and individual are necessary for effective negotiation,” says williams. You can ask for a certain number, but if you’re not a high achiever with tangible evidence of your accomplishments or they’re clearly not bringing in a lot of money as a company, you’re not going to make them budge. And you should also understand market trends and what others are making in your position to fully back up your claims (these salary calculators can help with gathering the facts).


But the best way to be successful is to simply be confident in your approach. Merrill suggests using phrases such as “I will sign the offer letter today if you can add a $X signing bonus” or “I’m looking at a comparable role where the salary is X% greater. How can you close that gap?” again, there’s no guarantee it’ll work, but if you walk in as someone who’s well-informed and self-assured, you’re more likely to get what you want.


6. How can I ensure I’ll receive a fair bonus?


Any time you consider accepting a job it’s important to read the fine print and ask thoughtful questions. This especially applies to roles where there’s a bonus structure. As we’ve explained, nothing is a guarantee, so when a bonus makes up the bulk of your income you should know your stuff going in.


Understand how you’re going to be paid. If you’re in an interview, you can ask questions like, “what is the bonus structure for this role?” or “how do bonuses work here?” they may not provide you with an exact number (often because it’s dependent on so many factors), but even a range of pay or idea of how they think about bonuses can be helpful in understanding how they value their employees.


One thing to note is that you should never be having the conversation around money until you’re in the final round of interviews. And don’t just take the interviewer’s word for it—lean on your network to get a sense of what people in similar roles are being paid and whether or not this offer holds up.


Another thing to remember is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If, for example, a company is touting an unusually large bonus, there could be a ton of hidden factors: your quota to reach it could be unattainable, the bonus could be highly dependent on the company’s performance, or the bonus could be a cover-up for the company paying you much less in base salary.


Also, weigh the pros and cons of the bonus itself and if there are better opportunities available to you. A signing bonus may seem like a lot of money up front, but consider if you were to negotiate a higher salary (or pursue another role with no signing bonus), you might make more in the long run.


Speaking of the long term, understand what accepting a bonus means for your salary trajectory. If your base salary is fairly low (with a bonus making up the bulk of your income), that could affect how you negotiate your compensation down the road, whether you pursue another opportunity in your field or change careers. So always consider first whether you can increase your base rather than your bonus to set yourself up for a better financial situation moving forward.


If a bonus seems reasonable, get it in writing—either through a formal contract or an informal email—and make sure you read all the details and fully comprehend what achieving that bonus means.


“you can’t take any promises at face value about what you’re going to get. Unless they’re in writing, they’re generally not enforceable,” says heller.


Always assume the worst and factor in what would happen if you didn’t receive that bonus for whatever reason. Would you still be able to pay rent? Afford groceries? Do you still have a decent base salary to work with?


This means thinking about taxes, too. Bonuses are usually considered “supplemental wages” by the IRS, which means that they’re often taxed at a higher rate than your regular paycheck (read this article for more information on how bonuses are taxed).


Finally, be willing to put in the work of being in a role where your pay heavily depends on your performance. It’s not for everyone, but plenty of people thrive off this kind of motivation—so know yourself and know exactly what responsibilities you’d be taking on before deciding.


It’s human nature to care about money. And if there’s one thing you take away from this article, it should be that understanding how your salary works—including how bonuses are involved—is so, so important.


But so many other factors—company culture, management, team goals—matter just as much in finding a job you’re willing to work hard in and an organization you’re excited to grow at. So make sure you’re looking at the whole picture when deciding your career path. You may find that the extra compensation matters a lot less than the opportunities presented to you.





So, let's see, what was the most valuable thing of this article: bonus pay is extra, additional pay given to employees. It can help them feel recognized and rewarded. Find out how employers can effectively give out bonus pay. At bonuses

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