How Commuter Benefits Work
Commuter Benefits are designed to save employees money on the costs of commuting to and from work. Employees may set aside tax-free dollars to pay for the cost of parking their vehicle or the costs of riding the bus or other public transportation.
How Do Commuter Benefits Work?
First, decide the amount you would like to contribute to your transit and/or parking account monthly. The IRS sets the limit on how much. The money will be available to you each month to spend on transit and parking expenses. You will receive a Chard Snyder Benefits Card in the mail to use with your accounts.
How Do I Use My Commuter Benefits?
Use your Chard Snyder Benefits Card at the time of purchase. You can also pay for parking expenses out-of-pocket and file a claim to be reimbursed.
You may only claim the amount of money in your Commuter Benefit account at the time you use your benefits card or submit a claim, so keep an eye on your balance.
Use the Chard Snyder mobile app, or your online account, any time, to check your current balance, see the status of a parking claim or review the history of your account.
If your commuting needs change, your human resources department can help you enroll, change, or stop your deduction according to your plan rules.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind About Commuter Benefits
• You can only spend the monthly IRS maximum each month
• Mass transit fares must be purchased using the benefits card
• Parking claims must be submitted within 180 days
• Mass Transit and Parking are separate plans under Commuter Benefits
• Family members are not eligible to use this plan
Employees use their Chard Snyder Benefits Card to pay for vanpool or transportation vouchers or passes where available. It’s easy and it keeps cash in employees’ pockets. Many parking garages and meters also accept the benefits card.
Where parking systems don’t accept the benefits card, employees may submit a claim by mobile app, website, email, fax, or mail for prompt reimbursement. The IRS requires that all claims are filed within 180 days of spending the money.
Plan for Maximum Savings
Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum monthly amount for public transit passes, parking or vanpooling costs into their Transportation and Parking Plan and save on every dollar spent. If employees’ commuting circumstances change, their human resources department can tell them how to enroll, change or stop deductions according to their plan rules.
| Annual Maximum Contributions | 2024 |
| Parking Plan | $315 |
| Transit Plan | $315 |