Tax Benefits

Savings on Taxes

It really does pay to have a worksite transportation plan! Currently, employers may provide up to $315 per month starting in 2024 in non-taxable and/or pre-tax dollars to pay for transit or vanpool. 

As an employer you can deduct the cost of providing such benefits and avoid payroll taxes as well. Employees save too when they pay their own commuting costs with pre-tax dollars. This results in lower payroll taxes for the business and the employee.

Benefits Explained

Employers providing transit and vanpool subsidies now have increased flexibility in the way these benefits are offered to employees, according to changes made to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

Effective during tax years beginning after December 31, 1997, employers may continue to provide transit and vanpool "qualified transportation fringe benefits" in addition to current compensation paid to their workers or, for the first time, in lieu of their existing compensation* (IRC Section 9010, 26 USC 132 (f)).

As a result of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, transit and vanpool qualified transportation fringe benefits can now be used as follows:

Benefits in Addition to Compensation

Employers may give their employees up to $315 per month starting in 2024 in benefits to commute to work by transit or eligible vanpools. The employer pays for the benefit and receives an equivalent deduction from the business income taxes. Employees receive the benefit completely free of all payroll and income taxes, in addition to their current compensation.

Benefits in Lieu of Compensation

Employers may permit their employees to set aside some of their pre-tax income to pay for transit or eligible vanpools. Employers do not pay for the benefit but permit employees to use some of their gross income to pay for commuting expenses, before taxes are computed, up to $315 per month starting in 2024. Employees save on payroll and income taxes on the amount of the benefit they purchase, since that amount is no longer treated or reported as taxable salary. Employers' payroll costs are reduced since payroll taxes do not apply to the set aside amount because it is treated as a benefit.

Combination

Employers may share the cost of commuting with their employees. Employers can give their employees part of the commuting expense tax-free in addition to their compensation and allow the employees to set aside part of their gross income (in lieu of compensation) to pay the remaining amount, up to the total monthly limit of $315* per month starting in 2024. The employer receives an equivalent deduction from its business income taxes while the employee saves on payroll and income taxes on the set aside amount for the balance of the benefit.

Employers are encouraged to take advantage of these exciting tax code changes. Providing transit benefits in lieu of salary will not increase costs to employers but will actually reduce payroll costs since payroll taxes do not apply to these benefit amounts.

 *Not permitted to be part of "cafeteria" plans or flexible spending accounts

B&O and Public Utilities Tax Credit

Employers and property managers who pay the business and occupation (B&O) or public utility (PUT) tax and provide commute trip reduction incentives to or on behalf of their employees or the employees of others are eligible to receive this tax credit. Commute trip reduction methods that qualify for the credit include ridesharing, public transportation, car sharing, and non-motorized commuting. For more information, visit the Department of Revenue's website. 

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Partner With Us

If you are interested in partnering with Ride Together Pierce to offer commuter benefits to your employees, contact us. Learn more about our services.