Transit passvoucher a noncash instrument that is either accepted by the local transit authority as fare payment or exchanged for an acceptable form of payment. The ventra transit benefits program is an employee benefit program administered by employers big and small. Employers also may qualify for a 30 percent state tax credit on the amount of employee transit. Through a companysponsored plan, section 2 f allows your employees to use taxfree dollars subject to monthly limits to save up to 40% of their commuting costs. You can use the commuter card to purchase transit fare media for buses. This tax advantage allows employers to subsidize part or all of their employees bus fare. Identify different options for funding lowincome fare programs and potential partners that may be willing to support such programs.
As a public transit agency, we serve a broad and diverse community. Benefits are commonly distributed in the form of prepaid transit tickets or metro. Nearly half of metro transits operating revenue comes from the motor vehicle sales tax, which applies to new and used car sales. When an employee enrolls in a pretax commuter benefits program, they. Through a companysponsored plan, section 2 f allows your employees to use tax free dollars subject to monthly limits to save up to 40% of their commuting costs. Provide transit passes or vanpool subsidies as a taxfree benefit or let employees pay the full monthly cost using pretax income. The person possesses a medicare card and is under 65 years of age. The state of west virginia, the monongalia county commission and morgantown city council subsidize the cost of each ride. Why is farefree transit the exception rather than the. Implementation and outcomes of farefree transit systems. Employer transit programs provide tools, resources, and subsidies to encourage employees to use various modes of transit to get to work.
A transit or vanpool subsidy given is taxfree for the employee and is taxdeductible for the employer. Specifically, the taxfree commuter benefit, also known as qualified transportation fringes, stems from irs section 2f, which also includes parking, vanpools and even biking, as parking and public transit fees continue to rise in most cities. But only new yorkers whose employers offer transit benefits have access to. Reduced transit fare program for handicapped persons this program is required by section 5 of the urban mass transportation act of 1964, as amended 1. I will continue to use this service and recommend it to friends. Transit mobile apps frederick county md official website. You can claim the cost of eligible public transit passes on your income tax return to help reduce your taxable income. Download transit to plan your trip, track your ride, and starting october 23 pay your fare, too for tank, metro, and bcrta, all in one easytouse app.
Next, make sure you have the following documents in digital format xls, pdf or similar. Tax for transit gaining support the new york times. Recommend definitions of lowincome to be used for the implementation of transit fare programs. Nearly all transit agencies recover a portion of operating expense through fare revenue from users. For tax options in which the revenues were to be spent for undefined transportation purposes, support levels varied considerably by what kind of tax would be imposed, with a sales tax much more popular than either a gas tax increase or a new mileage tax. Remind your employer that transit benefits programs can help attract and keep the best talent available. Beaver county transit authority is going fare free effective april 9 through april 30.
Commuter benefits allow employers to support their employees when it comes to their daily commute. An employer in the united states may provide transportation benefits to their employees that are tax free up to a certain limit. Implementation and outcomes of fare free transit systems highlights the experiences of public transit agencies that have planned, implemented, and operated fare free transit systems. If you begin your ride before entering the zone andor exit after leaving the zone, you will be asked to provide proof of payment. Our commitment to transit equity is rooted in ensuring lowincome riders affected by fare increases are able to remain active in using trimet services. The transitchek benefit for transit can be shared with family members and friends. We are proud to announce bart was selected as one of 19 out of the 50 competing agencies to receive a ladder of opportunity grant from the fta. Metrorail, metrobus, marc, and ride on transit passes, tokens, fare cards provided free or at a reduced. Ask your human resources department if your company offers taxfree transit fare programs. Tax software must be certified by netfile every year. If you want to learn more about commuter benefits to save money, download our 101 guide now.
A combination of the pretax and subsidy options is. Updated for tax year 2016 taking public transit isnt only good for the environment. The transit benefit program is an employee benefit program administered by employers. Applications for the mta reducedfare metrocard are processed by nyc transit call 511 or visit nyct. Unlike other benefits, these are not subject to complex reporting requirements. Vouchers are used in areas that do not accept the transerve card. Our marketing specialists will visit your office free of.
The district has implemented the transit career ladders training program to promote transportation careers in lowincome, unemployed and underemployed communities, and among minorities, veterans and women through participant enrollment. You can save 33% or more a year by having a portion of your pretax salary set aside for commutation costs. Free public transportation is a reality in 100 citieshere. The 7 and 31day discount m cards and 30day discount r cards are only available at the mcat ticket booth and by mail photocopies of eligibility documents by mail are required. A smartcard election where we load funds andor passes to your card each month. Taxfree commuter benefits increased in federal law taking effect january 1, 2005, commuters who participate in employer sponsored transit benefit. Check the software list above to confirm that your software is certified for the year you need. What do americans think about federal tax options to. What is the commuter benefits program commuter card. Similar to health savings accounts, yet far more flexible, transit benefit programs allow employees to opt inout according to your. I love how easy it is and that i cam see my actual forms before filing. How pretax commuter benefits work commuter benefit solutions. Commuter benefits employerprovided benefits under section 2f of the tax code, covering taxfree transit, vanpool, or parking benefits. An amendment enacted under the transportation equity act.
Make prioritized recommendations related to the establishment of king county lowincome fare programs. Children under age 5 ride the lirr free at all times no ticket required. The program is based on a federal tax law designed to encourage the use of public transit. You may use this rate to reimburse an employee for business use of a personal vehicle, and under certain conditions, you may use the rate under the centspermile rule to value the personal use of a vehicle you provide to an employee.
Dot transit commuter services savings for employers. You can save 37% or more a year by having a portion of your pretax salary set aside for commutation costs. Fare card a card or ticket that a transit rider can use to. With respect to public transit, the survey results show that most people want good public. You must show proof of eligibility at the time of purchase. Routeshout is the automatic vehicle location app to find your bus arrival time in real time. The taxfree commuting dollars are provided on a product, like. Employer transportation benefits in the united states wikipedia. The fair pass program proposed in this report addresses this. Island transit on whidbey and camano islands and now beyond in washington state. In seattle, these transit modes include bus, streetcar, light rail, and train. In doing so, employers enjoy a nice tax savings in addition to helping to defray their employees commuting. Commuter highway vehicle a tax law term for vanpool as defined in section 2f5b.
Transit ezfare is a mobile ticketing app for riders to purchase tickets using a credit card on their phone. Implementation and outcomes of farefree transit systems highlights the experiences of public transit agencies that have planned, implemented, and operated farefree transit systems. Peak fares are charged for travel to and from grand central terminal gct or harlem125th street station. Mobile ticketing transit authority of northern kentucky. Transitchek programs allow you to use taxfree dollars toward commuting on. Free fare zone uta passengers may ride for free when entering and exiting a fixedroute bus, paratransit vehicle or trax train within the boundaries of the free fare zone. Commuter benefit programs ask your human resources department if your company offers taxfree transit fare programs. Save 33 percent or more a year by having a portion of your pretax salary set aside for commutation costs. Click the ezfare button at the bottom to pay for your fare. Pretax transit benefits fareshare has been improved for employers and their employees. Download and fill out the budget worksheet document excel document. Transit with ezfare is a new way to pay for bus fare on your smartphone.
Trbs transit cooperative research program tcrp synthesis 101. Farefree transportation cape may county, nj official. If you are using uncertified software or an older version of the software, you may need to update or download a certified version from the developer. A page about both of the mobile apps available for transit riders. Commuter benefit solutions how it works for employers. While existing ttc transit fare concessions enable children 12 and under to use the ttc for free, and students and seniors to pay lower fares, most working age lowincome riders are not eligible for transit fare discounts, or city and provincial transportation supports. By offering transit benefits, you, the employer, can save up to 7. Park and ride benefits cover the cost of parking at a facility from which you.
The fleet maintenance software of choice of over 4,000 private, forhire and public fleets, dossier lowers costs and downtime by automating control of your fleets records, pm scheduling, repair orders and histories, fuel costs and mpg, cost control with cost per milehr, parts inventory control w auto reordering, work pending and campaign mgmt, budget mgmt, warranty mgmt. How to claim the public transit claim on your tax retrn. Taxfree commuter benefits how it works transitchek. Discount fare options and commuter bus tickets are available for purchase at marc tvms as well. If your pre tax benefit provider has not already notified you that your account has been updated, you should contact the workplace administrator of your transit benefit program for assistance in modifying your current pre tax and secondary payments. Lowincome fare options advisory committee king county. Unfortunately, this credit was recently eliminated for public transit services after june 2017, so the 2016 tax year is your last chance to claim these. Transitchek allows employees to save real money on something they already pay for. Publication 15b 2020, employers tax guide to fringe. Fare free transportation provides demandresponse, subscription and modifiedfixed route bus service to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, veterans, individuals of lowincome and general public on a 1st come1st served basis. Free fare program other transit resources access services. Becoming farefree got residents and visitors alike onboard, while the planned increase in capacity kept them coming back. Employer transportation benefits in the united states.
1521 283 852 1279 1203 1380 1007 356 1321 768 710 1155 1454 201 666 840 957 351 1459 402 1444 1071 1511 1171 258 1210 101 963 857 1208 11