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Is anyone using the Bike Commuter Tax Benefit?

I am starting to look into the Commuter Tax Benefit that was made into law a few years ago. I'd like to use it at my new job. Has anyone setup something like this with your employer? How did it go? 

I'm having trouble finding out the specific details of the benefit - Is it a pre-tax deduction, a reimbursement, or a credit? I would love to hear how local Chicago businesses and employees are using this benefit. 

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on November 5, 2013 at 9:19am

They're looking into it.  We got some interest from other bike commuters at the office so I think it will eventually be implemented. 

Why don't you post a link to your infographic? I think we'd all like to see it!

Permalink Reply by RobertW on November 6, 2013 at 8:50am

Sure.  Infographic is here: http://www.bikeposse.com/2013/07/benefits-of-bike-commuting-infogra... .

Kelvin Mulcky said:

They're looking into it.  We got some interest from other bike commuters at the office so I think it will eventually be implemented. 

Why don't you post a link to your infographic? I think we'd all like to see it!

Permalink Reply by Alex Anon on March 3, 2014 at 1:07pm

From the merchant's view, I am happy to accept Commuter Checks. They are as good as any other good check. A bit of a learning curve for my bank, but by now they are comfortable with them, too.

I would love to see more incentives for commuter cyclists. And other initiatives that are gentler on our planet and ourselves. At the risk of sounding like an alarmist, at this rate, pissing in the ocean will became pissing in a glass of water. Not cool.

~alex

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 21, 2014 at 3:11pm

Wanted to drag this up from the website's depths, anyone have their company do this?  I sent an email to HR about this and hoping to see some results.  The only think I am confused on is according to the IRS you can write off a bicycle purchase but only at $20 a month?  Or is the $20 a month for upkeep costs?

Either way, $240 is $240 to spend on keeping my bikes on the road.  Plus local shops will love me!

Here is the IRS link: http://www.irs.gov/publications/p15b/ar02.html#en_US_2014_publink10...

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on August 21, 2014 at 3:35pm

I get three $20 vouchers every three months. Sure, it doesn't accumulate quickly enough to buy an entire bike. I use it buy consumables. Don't know if it's been mentioned already, but the money comes from your employer. I assume they get a tax credit for the contribution.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 21, 2014 at 3:40pm

From what I read that is exactly what happens, but the IRS site says something about the employee's purchase of a bicycle, but I don't know if that is outside of the vouchers or what.  Either way, $20 is $20 and that would help me recoup some of the costs of riding, especially since my wife and I got me bikes this year and I will need some cold weather clothing.

Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

I get three $20 vouchers every three months. Sure, it doesn't accumulate quickly enough to buy an entire bike. I use it buy consumables. Don't know if it's been mentioned already, but the money comes from your employer. I assume they get a tax credit for the contribution.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 21, 2014 at 4:00pm

Wanted to throw this out there for people, the company has to do an all or nothing.  Meaning they need to have deductions for everyone one regardless of their style of commuting, or no one.  So no voucher for me since they have no interest in doing it company wide.

Permalink Reply by M G on August 22, 2014 at 8:15am

I don't think that is true -- I work for a very small company (there are 4 of us!) and I set this up for just myself. I take the metra as well, and so I use the commuter RTA Mastercard to buy my monthly passes, but never once have I heard I needed to provide this for anyone else.


I've listened to some of the program's webinars and had email correspondence with them on a few occasions.


Everyone else drives, so no one else wants or is eligible for the benefits. Because we're a "green" company, my company also chose to pay for 40% of my contribution, so I only pay 60% and it is pre-tax!

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 22, 2014 at 12:55pm

Hmmm, I asked again but was told no.  

I work for a small-ish family owned company where the GM and HR people are ruining the company (IMO) under the family's nose.  They once required everyone to park their bikes outside, well in the summer about 10-12 people ride daily and they had a rack for 3 bikes.....that was chained to a brick wall with a chain used on a backyard swing set for small kids....with a 1/2" bolt holding it to the wall.  Which was stolen a week later by the scrap metal guy who thought it was garbage because it was right next to the dumpster.  Needless to say they don't do much that requires extra work or could possibly make their "numbers" look bad since they are both paid bonuses based on the numbers.

I'll still ride regardless, it has saved me already $300-$400 in gas and city/plate stickers so far since June.


M G said:

I don't think that is true -- I work for a very small company (there are 4 of us!) and I set this up for just myself. I take the metra as well, and so I use the commuter RTA Mastercard to buy my monthly passes, but never once have I heard I needed to provide this for anyone else.


I've listened to some of the program's webinars and had email correspondence with them on a few occasions.


Everyone else drives, so no one else wants or is eligible for the benefits. Because we're a "green" company, my company also chose to pay for 40% of my contribution, so I only pay 60% and it is pre-tax!

Permalink Reply by Filka Bean on November 13, 2016 at 9:52am
Hey everybody. Feels like small potatoes after the past week, but I just got a new full-time job and had wondered about this benefit. I found the League of American Bicyclists' page informative, but encountered the same demur brush-off that a couple others have described in this or the other related threads... If anyone has advice on effectively selling this to HR I'd love to hear it.

PS, Here's the LAB site:
http://bikeleague.org/content/bicycle-commuter-benefit

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