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WHAT IS COMMUTER CHOICE MARYLAND?
Commuter Choice Maryland is essentially designed as an incentive program to encourage those employees currently driving to work to switch to transit or vanpooling.
Commuter Choice Maryland offers employers commuter benefit distribution options, which encourage employees to ride MTA Buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train, or qualified vanpools to work, and save money on their commute!
It can save up to $2,000 annually for those employees driving to work and can save extra money for those employees already taking transit.
It provides an extensive menu of commuter transportation services that can be useful in developing customized corporate commuter transportation programs.
Key program elements include:
- Maryland Commuter Tax Credit Information/Assistance
- Ridesharing – Carpool/Vanpool Matching/Formation
- Transit Information/Timetables
- Guaranteed Ride Home Information
- Variable Work Hours Information
- Telecommuting Information/Assistance
- Telework Centers Information
- Parking "Cash-Out" Information
- Bicycling & Walking Information
TWO GREAT WAYS TO SAVE WITH COMMUTER CHOICE MARYLAND
Federal transportation fringe benefits law gives employers three options for providing tax-free commuter benefits of up to $100 per month to employees:
Employer Supported Option: Employer gives the pass to the employee. The employee rides transit for free. The for-profit employer gets to take a federal and state tax deduction for the amount of commuter benefit given to each participating employee. In addition, the employer is eligible for a 50% Maryland Commuter Tax Credit on the amount of benefit given to each employee up to a maximum credit of $50 per participating employee per month throughout the tax year. These tax benefits can dramatically reduce the amount of out-of-pocket expenses for the employer.
Pre-Tax Salary Deduction Option: The employer invests no money in the program, but allows employees to purchase passes using a pre-tax salary deduction. The employees’ federal, state and FICA taxes are reduced on the portion deducted "pre-tax". The employer saves 7.65% on the pre-tax amount for FICA payroll taxes for each participating employee.
Combination Option: The employer pays a portion of the employee’s monthly transit costs. The employee pays for the remaining costs using a pre-tax salary deduction. The employer receives the tax benefits described in Options 1 and 2. Maryland Commuter Tax Credit – Maryland employers, including 501 C (3) or (4) organizations, may claim a tax credit for 50% of the eligible costs of providing commuter benefits, up to a maximum of $50 per participating employee per month (based on a $100 monthly contribution). The tax credit can be taken against the State income tax, personal income tax, or insurance premium tax. The credit is applicable to the following expenses:
- Transit instruments – weekly/monthly passes, tokens, fare cards, vouchers.
- Company vanpool program.
- Guaranteed Ride Home program.
- Cash In Lieu of Parking program.
Employers must submit a registration form prior to the last day of the taxable year in which the credit will be claimed. The registration form should be sent to: Buddy Alves, MTA, 6 St. Paul St., Office of Marketing, Baltimore, MD 21202, or fax to 410-333-2203. The registration form is also available online at:
www.commuterchoicemaryland.com
TWO GREAT WAYS TO APPLY BENEFITS
Monthly Passes
The program is designed to provide passes to employees at the worksite through convenient deliveries by the MTA.
Employers conduct a short employee survey to assess interest in the program and to determine the number and kinds of passes needed.
Monthly passes are delivered to employers on consignment with a minimum order of 15 passes.
The passes are good for unlimited monthly travel on MTA Buses, Light Rail and Metro Subway.
During the third week of each month, the MTA picks up any unsold passes, the proceeds from the previous month’s sales and a reconciliation sheet.
- Simultaneously, the MTA delivers the next month’s passes.
Vouchers
Vouchers work like Monthly Passes but offer more flexibility .
Vouchers are available in $1, $5, $10, $20, and $64 denominations.
Vouchers can be redeemed at participating pass sales outlets toward the purchase of monthly passes, monthly passes for seniors and people with disabilities, and weekly passes to ride MTA Buses, Light Rail and Metro Subway.
Vouchers are also valid toward the purchase of MARC Train monthly tickets at staffed MARC stations or through the Ticket-by-Mail program. Vouchers can also be used to offset monthly vanpool expenses.
Vouchers have no expiration date and are purchased in advance from the MTA.
SmartBenefits Vouchers & MTA Commuter Choice Maryland (CCM) Vouchers Now Accepted At More Locations!
SmartBenefits Vouchers and CCM Vouchers can be used like cash at MARC Train staffed stations and Amtrak ticket counters toward the purchase of MARC daily, weekly and monthly tickets. You then pay the remainder of the cost of the ticket with either cash or check (with photo ID and current address imprinted on the check). Debit cards are also accepted at Penn Station, Union Station, BWI Rail Station, or New Carrollton Station.
SmartBenefits Vouchers and CCM Vouchers can also be used to purchase tickets online. Simply log on to:
www.mtamaryland.com and click "MARC Fares" and this will direct you to:
www.commuterdirect.com
where you can open an account using a major credit card. You can then purchase MARC tickets online and mail the SmartBenefits Vouchers or CCM Vouchers to Commuter Direct for credit against your account.
You can also receive your MARC or Commuter Bus monthly ticket at home through the CSX Ticket-By-Mail Program. You simply mail your SmartBenefits Vouchers or CCM Vouchers along with a check or money order for the balance of the payment to CSX Ticket-By-Mail Program, S/C J325, 500 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. Online order forms are available for MARC Train and Commuter Bus. Fax the order form to 904-359-1373. For information call 1-888-226-5515.
The Transit Link Card Does It All!
Just add $50 to the cost of your MARC Train monthly ticket and you can have unlimited Metrorail rides all month long. That’s a $50 savings off the regular price for a Metrorail monthly ticket. And you’re reminded that your MARC weekly and monthly ticket is also valid for rides on MetroBus, Montgomery County’s RIDE ON, Laurel CTC, Prince George’s County’s "The Bus", and the MTA’s Local Buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, Neighborhood Shuttles, and Baltimore Inner Harbor water taxi rides. When you register for the CSX Ticket-By-Mail Program, check the box for the TLC Card and add $50 to the cost of your pass or ticket.
A Third Party Administrator Can Manage Your Commuter Choice Maryland Program
Call WageWorks (301-260-1000) or Wired Commute (415-777-5151). They are national leaders in administering corporate commuter benefits programs.
Commuter Choice Maryland Means Business…Your Business!
Call the MTA’s Commuter Choice Maryland program today. A representative will work with you every step of the way to help you set up your program.
410-767-8755
www.mtamaryland.com
or
www.commuterchoicemaryland.com
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