Benefits that count

South Florida CEO,  Oct, 2004  

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Instituted several years ago and steadily developing into a program of choice, many South Florida companies are also choosing to take advantage of Federal tax law provisions that allow them to save on payroll taxes by subsidizing employees' commuter transit costs. The basic tax break has evolved over the years, so now employers have several tax-free ways to lower employees' commuter costs, such as employer-paid subsidies, pre-tax employee payments, shared fare and parking assistance.

Employer participation in the Commuter Tax Benefit Program is voluntary, so the employer has complete flexibility in choosing what to offer and who is eligible to receive commute benefits. Rideshare options such as public transit and vanpooling are an important part of employee benefit plans and are eligible for federal tax deductions. The Internal Revenue Code allows employers to offer benefits that encourage commuting to work via these options rather than driving alone.

Those who ride public transit, carpools, vanpools or who bicycle or walk to work at least three times a week are eligible for the Emergency Ride Home program. This service, for registered commuters who need emergency transportation from work to home, provides free taxi transportation throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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