Awareness of the Legal Amendment 'Raising the Tax-Exempt Limit for In-Kind Meal Allowances' is 47.6% Among HR/General Affairs; Implementation/Consideration of Measures Remains at 27.5%

Key facts

  • Awareness of the Legal Amendment 'Raising the Tax-Exempt Limit for In-Kind Meal Allowances' is 47.6% Among HR/General Affairs; Implementation/Consideration of Measures Remains at 27.5%
  • Kurumeshi's survey reveals that despite the 2026 legal amendment expanding tax-exempt limits for employee meals, HR awareness remains at 47.6%. Implementation is hindered by system design complexities, despite strong employee demand.
  • Source: PR Times
  • Date: April 7, 2026

Direct answer

Kurumeshi's survey reveals that despite the 2026 legal amendment expanding tax-exempt limits for employee meals, HR awareness remains at 47.6%. Implementation is hindered by system design complexities, despite strong employee demand.

Citation
Awareness of the Legal Amendment 'Raising the Tax-Exempt Limit for In-Kind Meal Allowances' is 47.6% Among HR/General Affairs; Implementation/Consideration of Measures Remains at 27.5% (April 7, 2026), PR Times
Source
PR Times
Date
April 7, 2026
Kurumeshi's survey reveals that despite the 2026 legal amendment expanding tax-exempt limits for employee meals, HR awareness remains at 47.6%. Implementation is hindered by system design complexities, despite strong employee demand.
調査NQ 82/100出典：PR Times

📋 Article Processing Timeline

  • 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 20:00
  • 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 11:31
  • 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 22:29 (322h 58m after Collected)
Kurumeshi Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Atsumasa Kobayashi), which operates 'Kurumeshi Bento', one of Japan's largest corporate food delivery services, conducted a survey on the 'third wage increase' among members of its 'Kurumeshi Bento' and 'Chef Colle' services. We are announcing the survey results regarding the awareness and implementation status of related internal measures concerning the 'Increase in the limit of tax exemption of income tax on provision of meals in kind*' enforced on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. - Awareness of the legal amendment/system for the 'Increase in the limit of tax exemption of income tax on provision of meals in kind' is 33.7% - Awareness rate among HR/General Affairs personnel is 47.6% - Only 8.3% of HR/General Affairs personnel 'understand the content completely' - The implementation rate of new initiatives/measures regarding 'meal subsidies' accompanying the legal amendment is 23.1% - Initiatives planned to be implemented/reviewed are 'Meal expense subsidy (39.4%)', 'Stationary office cafeteria (24.2%)', and 'Meal tickets (15.2%)' - The purpose of implementing the measures is 'As part of health and productivity management for employees (51.5%)' and 'Improving employee engagement (45.5%)' - If this legal amendment had not occurred, about 64% of companies would not have implemented the measures currently in progress or planned - Reasons for not planning to implement new measures are 'System design is difficult (40%)', 'Internal adjustments take time (32.3%)', and 'Shortage of resources for system design (20%)' - Almost half, 49.6%, of employees answered that the food-related measure they would be happy to have is 'Meal expense subsidy' - For HR/General Affairs personnel, the easiest welfare benefit to introduce is a 'Water dispenser' - The ease of introduction for food-related measures demanded by employees is 'Meal expense subsidy (19%)', 'Company cafeteria (free) (2.4%)', and 'Cafe (free) (15.5%)' * Regarding the increase in the limit of tax exemption of income tax on provision of meals in kind (National Tax Agency) ■ Detailed Survey Results - Awareness of the legal amendment/system for the 'Increase in the limit of tax exemption of income tax on provision of meals in kind' is 33.7% When asked about the 'Increase in the limit of tax exemption of income tax on provision of meals in kind' enforced on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, it was found that a total of 33.7% 'understand' or 'have heard of' it, with 'Understand the content completely (4.5%)', 'Know the outline (11.8%)', and 'Have heard of it (17.4%)'.

FAQ

What is the awareness rate of the legal amendment on tax-exempt meal allowances among HR and General Affairs personnel according to Kurumeshi Corporation's survey?

The awareness rate of the legal amendment on raising the tax-exempt limit for in-kind meal allowances among HR and General Affairs personnel is 47.6% according to Kurumeshi Corporation's survey.

When does the tax exemption increase for in-kind meal allowances take effect as stated in the Kurumeshi survey?

The increase in the tax-exempt limit for in-kind meal allowances takes effect on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, as stated in the Kurumeshi Corporation survey.

What percentage of HR and General Affairs staff completely understand the content of the meal allowance tax exemption amendment?

Only 8.3% of HR and General Affairs personnel completely understand the content of the legal amendment regarding the tax exemption increase for in-kind meal allowances, according to the survey by Kurumeshi Corporation.

What are the top three initiatives companies are implementing or considering due to the meal allowance tax exemption change?

The top three initiatives are meal expense subsidy at 39.4%, stationary office cafeteria at 24.2%, and meal tickets at 15.2%, according to companies surveyed by Kurumeshi Corporation.

What percentage of companies say they would not have implemented meal-related measures without the 2026 tax exemption amendment?

Approximately 64% of companies stated they would not have implemented current or planned meal-related measures if the April 1, 2026, tax exemption amendment had not occurred, according to Kurumeshi Corporation's survey.

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