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Frequently Asked Questions

Once you enroll in TransitChek^®, using tax free dollars toward your commuting costs is easy and convenient to do. To help you get started, here are some Frequently Asked Questions about the program.

1. How do I get my company to start offering a TransitChek^® program?

   Many of the companies we serve started offering our TransitChek^®  Program because employees like you, asked for it. You can notify your employer through this website and we could help by providing you with materials that you can pass on to your benefits administrator. Find out more.

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2. What is the monthly maximum amount that I can use toward my commuting costs?

   IRS regulations for commuter benefits currently allow up to $230 per month for transit and vanpool costs, and an additional $230 per month for commuter parking. However, an employer can choose to limit the amount employees can use toward commuter benefits, up to the maximums set by the IRS.

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3. How does paying for my commute with pretax dollars save me money?

   Paying with pretax dollars means that you pay for your commute before federal, state and local taxes are taken out of your paycheck by your employer. Paying this way decreases the amount of the taxes that are normally taken out of your paycheck.

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4. What public transportation services do commuter benefits cover?

   TransitChek^®  programs allow you to use tax-free dollars toward commuting by virtually any public and private transportation service which may include subways, buses, ferries, commuter rail, vanpools and carpools.

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5. Can I use my benefit for other commuting expenses like tolls and gas?

   The IRS regulation which governs commuter benefits limits the use of tax-free dollars to public and private transit services, vanpools, and parking related to your commute. Benefits may not be used for tolls, gas, or other driving-related expenses.

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6. What are park & ride tax benefits?

   Park and ride benefits cover the cost of parking at a facility from which you commute to work by transit. For example, if you drive to a railroad station and pay to park at the station parking lot or at a privately owned parking lot adjacent to the railroad station, the monthly cost of parking is covered by Premium TransitChek^®. In this case, you can arrange to have up to $230/month of your salary set aside before taxes to pay for this expense.

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7. I carpool, but I don't drive to the parking lot from which I carpool. Am I eligible to receive a carpool tax benefit?

   No, you cannot receive a tax benefit if you don't pay to park at a facility from which you carpool.

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8. I carpool to work and pay to park near my worksite. Am I eligible to receive a carpool tax benefit for my parking?

   Yes, if it's part of your regular commuting pattern. However, only one member of the carpool can claim the parking expense as a tax benefit.

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9. I drive to a parking lot where I am picked up by my vanpool and taken to work. Can I claim a tax benefit for my parking expenses?

   Yes, if you are charged to park, you can set aside up to $230/month of your salary before taxes to pay for your parking expenses. You may also be eligible to set aside up to $230/month of your salary before taxes to pay for your vanpool expenses. So, a commuter who parks and then uses a vanpool may be eligible to use up to $460/month before taxes. The tax-free monthly limits for each must be observed.

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10. Does my employer have to offer me the commuter tax benefit?

    No, participation in this tax benefit is voluntary and your employer is not required to offer it to you. But, there are valuable tax savings that employers will receive if they let employees participate in the Premium TransitChek^®  Program.

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