ALC - edenred

When you hear the phrase “go green”, your mind more than likely goes straight to recycling. While recycling is a huge aspect of going green, it’s not the only way to do so.

With a job market that is getting increasingly more complex and competitive, many organizations are looking for ways to stay relevant. Offering flexible and sustainable commuter benefits is one of the top ways to do so.

Today, commuters are working to do their part in making our planet a clean and safe place to live and work. Green commuting options are becoming increasingly popular.

The following transit options are eligible for commuter benefits, according to the IRS. Some cities or states could have a slightly different list of eligible transit options.

Commuter benefits do not expire. However, there are several different outcomes for unused commuter benefits.

It’s true, morning commutes to work can be stressful, but they don’t have to be. There are ways to make it a form of self-care and disconnect from the world around you. Whether it’s listening to your favorite podcast or turning on an educational video, there are plenty of ways to connect with yourself while you’re commuting to work.

Under normal circumstances, commuter benefits are not reported on your W-2. If you opt-in for commuter benefits, the money is deducted from your paycheck and placed in whatever transportation accounts you use (parking, mass transit, rideshare, etc.). The money is deducted on a pre-tax basis. There’s no W-2 or tax return reporting if your payroll deduction does not exceed the monthly maximum mandated by the IRS.

When pre-tax benefits are used for medical expenses, the IRS requires that every expense from an HRA or FSA be substantiated. The expenses are often substantiated automatically because a system is set up to verify most expenses. However, sometimes an expense can’t be verified. That’s when someone can be asked to provide a benefit substantiation.

Micromobility, defined as transportation that uses lightweight vehicles such as bicycles or scooters, is already the norm in some of the largest cities in the world. Making micromobility vehicles accessible through renting, leasing, or purchasing gives commuters another alternative to driving.