TAX INCENTIVES

When you help your employees with their transportation needs, you may also be able to take advantage of tax benefits. The federal government offers tax benefits for certain transportation expenses. These "Commuter Choice" benefits make it less expensive for commuters to choose transit, vanpooling, and even bicycling as a commute option.

Benefits include:

• Under the federal Commuter Choice program, the employer covers the full cost of the tax-free benefit - up to $230 per month for transit and vanpool expenses.  Bicycle commuters can set aside up to $20 per month.  The benefit is offered tax-free to employees and does not require payroll taxes for the employer or employee.

• The company allows the employee a "pre-tax" benefit in which employees may have up to $230 per month taken out of their current monthly pay toward the cost of commuting on transit or in vanpools. Employees save federal income and payroll taxes. Many employers prefer this option because the employee pays the cost and the employer saves money because payroll taxes do not apply.

• The employer and employee each pay a share. The employer, for example, might offer $35 per month in transit/vanpool benefits and allow the employee to reserve up to $195 per month as a pre-tax benefit. The total tax-free benefit remains $230 per month.

Talk to a Commuter Services representative for more information. Call us at 1.866.585.RIDE.  Download PDF.