MassCommute.com

MassCommute discusses the options and challenges for car-free commuting in the Berkshires with WAMC-Northeast Public Radio, as part of Massachusetts Car-Free Week. Read the full story from WAMC here. (9/20/11)

Massachusetts Eco Awards
posted 2011

MassCommute partners with MassDOT and MassRIDES to recognize Massachusetts Employers

View the full list of winning organizations here.

See photos of the event here from ABC TMA.

MassCommuter Challenge
posted 2011

Thanks for biking with us this year in the MassCommuter Challenge. Winning teams will be announced shortly.
Remember to join us for the Bike Bash on May 25, 2011!
For complete information on the 2011 MassCommuter Challenge, visit www.masscommuterchallenge.org

Commuter Tax Benefits Levels Extended for 2011

Transit Benefit Parity Extended through end of 2011 for now

posted December 23, 2010

This month, Congress passed a tax package that includes the extension of the Transportation Fringe Benefit of $230/month for one year. The bill is expected to be signed by the President soon. This is excellent news for the tens of thousands of commuters in the Boston region whose monthly transit passes cost more than the previous limit of $120/month.

Congressman McGovern (D-MA) has worked hard for years to promote commuter benefits programs. He believes that, "there are a number of obvious benefits to transit ridership including a reduction in energy consumption, improved air quality, and reduced congestion. But the one issue that I think is most important to employees and employers is the fact that both employers and employees can save hundreds of dollars a year by simply doing the right thing. It's a no brainer."

This is a great victory for transit advocates and much thanks goes our government relations staff at the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) for continuously pushing this issue with congressional staff in Washington.

No traffic access from Cambridge to Leverett Circle
Craigie Drawbridge closes 11-6 for one month

MassDOT will conduct the first major rehabilitation since the early 1960s of the Craigie Drawbridge, located on O'Brien Highway (Rte 28) at Leverett Circle. Phase 1 begins November 6, 2010. For one month, there will be two traffic lanes from Leverett Circle to Cambridge, and NO lanes inbound. O'Brien Highway (Rte. 28) will be closed to through traffic from Cambridge to Boston and all users must seek alternate routes/modes.

New! Check out our 2009 FastStats to see all the services TMAs have been providing!

Tax Free Benefits for Bike Commuters

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 : H.R. 1424: (bailout) bill signed into law by President Bush on October 3, 2008 includes expanding qualified transportation fringe benefits (Section 132(f) ) to allow up to $20.00 per month for bicycle commuters. Bicycle benefits will take effect in January of 2009.

This benefit means that employers may provide employees with up to $20 in tax-free bicycle benefits per month, up to $240 per calendar year, for reasonable expenses incurred by the employee during the calendar year for the purchase of a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage if the bicycle is regularly used by the employee to travel between the employees residence and place of employment. For the full text view SEC. 211. TRANSPORTATION FRINGE BENEFIT FOR BICYCLE COMMUTERS.

Tax information for commuters:

Massachusetts Commuter Deduction

A deduction is allowed for certain amounts paid by an individual for tolls paid for through a FastLane account or for weekly or monthly transit commuter passes for MBTA transit or commuter rail, not including amounts reimbursed or otherwise deductible. In the case of a single person or a married person filing a separate return or a head of household filing a separate return, this deduction applies only to the portion of such expended amount that exceeds $150, and the total amount deducted cannot exceed $750. In the case of a married couple filing a joint return, this deduction applies only to the portion of such amount expended by each individual that exceeds $150, and the total amount deducted cannot exceed $750 for each individual. For a copy of the worksheet to calculate the commuter deduction please click here.

Federal Tax Information:

Transportation Fringe Benefit for Transit and Vanpool Commuters!

Qualified transportation fringe benefits (Section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code) or "Commuter Tax Benefits" are like money in the bank. Employers save on payroll related taxes. Employees save on federal income taxes. Also check out IRS Taxable Fringe Benefit Guide for more details about Commuter Tax Benefits.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus bill) includes an increase in the transportation fringe benefit (IRS section 132f) from $120/month to reach parity with the parking benefit at $230/month. As described the benefit is effectively immediately, which could enable you to increase the pre-tax benefit for employees February passes – although this might not work for most of you with complex payroll systems.

"PART VI-PARITY FOR TRANSPORTATION
2 FRINGE BENEFITS
3 SEC. 1151. INCREASED EXCLUSION AMOUNT FOR COMMUTER TRANSIT BENEFITS AND TRANSIT PASSES.
(a) IN GENERAL.-Paragraph (2) of section 132(f) is amended by adding at the end the following sentence:
''In the case of any month beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this sentence and before January 1, 2011, subparagraph (A) shall be applied as if the dollar amount therein were the same as the dollar amount in effect for such month under subparagraph (B).''.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.-The amendment made by this section shall apply to months beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this"

Need additional information?
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about Commuter Tax Benefits