How to Implement a Transit Benefit Program  

• A Miami-Dade Transit representative is available to meet with your organization and explain how this program works. To learn more about this tax-free transit benefit, contact MDT’s Corporate Outreach Coordinator at 786-469-5558, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or e-mail ccelestin@miamidade.gov .
  

Take Advantage of a Tax-Free Transit Benefit

• Until 1998, qualified transportation benefits for employees could not be excluded from taxable income, unless provided in addition to and not in lieu of any compensation otherwise payable to the employee.  Now employers, under Section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code, can present employees with the option to commute to work on transit. Employees enjoy significant savings on commuting expenses, while employers receive an equivalent income tax deduction. For more details on tax-free benefits for commuters, click here.  
• In Miami-Dade County, more than 160 employers are providing this great benefit to their employees, including University of Miami, City of North Miami, Intercontinental Hotel, and Jackson Memorial Hospital.  And now more than 10,500 employees are enrolled in MDT’s Corporate Discount Program. 
• The best part of the program? More parking spaces for customers, less car congestion around businesses, and more savings on commuting costs for employees.
  

Three Ways to Enjoy the Transit Benefit

• The employee pays for the entire cost of the monthly Metropass with pre-tax/set-aside dollars of their salary. 
  • Tax Benefits
    • There is no income tax on these set-aside dollars. So commuting with a Metropass is a tax-free transit benefit that employees can obtain through their employers.    
    • The set-aside dollar amount is also reflected as a reduction of taxable salary, so employees pay less income tax.  
      
• The employer pays for the entire cost of the monthly Metropass through a tax deductible subsidy.
  • Tax Benefits
    • The employer receives an equivalent federal income tax deduction.
    • Employees do not have to report this option as taxable income because it is considered a fringe benefit.   
      
• The employer and employee share the cost of the monthly Metropass, both paying for it with pre-tax dollars. 
  • Tax Benefits
    • The employer saves on payroll taxes; the employee doesn't pay income tax on the set-aside dollar amount - A win-win situation!
      

Eligible Employers

• Public and Private Companies
  
  
• Government Agencies
  
  
• Non-Profit Organizations
  
  
• Note: Self-employed individuals, sole proprietors, independent contractors, partners, and 2% shareholders of "S" corporations are not eligible under Internal Revenue Service rules.
  
  

Save Even More with the Group Metropass Discount

• In addition to these savings, groups between five and 99 people can purchase the monthly Metropass as a single group and save $10 per pass every month. Groups of 100 or more save $15 on each monthly Metropass purchase.
  
  
• With a monthly Metropass, your employees benefit from unlimited rides on Metrobus and Metrorail seven days a week. Metromover is free for everyone. In addition to commuting to work, employees can ride transit on weekends to go shopping, go to the movies, or visit a friend. Transit will take you just about anywhere in Miami-Dade County.
  

Emergency Ride Home Program  

• In case of a personal or family emergency, or if required to work unscheduled overtime, transit commuters can get a free taxi ride by registering with the Emergency Ride Home Program (ERH). Use an ERH trip voucher (two vouchers received at time of registration) to cover the cost of a taxi trip home, or wherever the emergency takes you. 
  
  
• Use of this program is limited to six times a year per individual and when there is an unexpected emergency only.  For more information, or to request a registration form, call 1-800-234-RIDE.

Click here for a copy of the brochure.