The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law by the President on December 22, 2017 made changes to Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits that effect employers and employees.
Employers can no longer deduct the expenses for providing tax-free qualified transportation fringe benefits to employees, unless the employer treats the transportation fringe benefit as taxable W-2 wages to the employee.
Employees may still pay for transportation expenses with pre-tax dollars.
A Qualified Transportation Fringe is defined as:
- Transportation in a commuter highway vehicle for travel between the employee’s residence and place of business
- Transit passes
- Qualified parking
- Qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement
For 2018, the monthly limit on the amount that may be excluded from an employee’s income for qualified parking benefits will be $260 for parking at or near an employer’s worksite, or a facility from which the employee commutes via transit, vanpool or carpool.
Previously qualified Bicycle Commuting Benefits are no longer eligible as a tax free benefit.