TransitChek Forms

• Participating services
• Application form

TransitChek Benefit

• Transportation legislation enables Sarah Lawrence College to offer employees the opportunity to set aside up to $115 a month ($1,380 a year) from their paycheck, on a pre-tax basis, to pay for commuting cost.  In effect, the employees reimburse themselves on a tax-free basis for commuting expenses.

How Does It Work?

• Employees sign up for the TransitChek program by telling us how much to deduct toward the cost of commuting each month – up to $115 ($1,380 a year).  This amount is exempt from Federal Income, New York State and City Income, Social Security and Medicare Taxes.
• TransitChek Debit Cards are accepted by all providers of mass transit in the New York metro area, including LIRR, MetroNorth, NJ Transit, PATH, MTA subways and buses, suburban buses, van pools and ferry services.
• TransitChek Debit Cards come in denominations of $30, $35, $45, $50, $60, $65, $81, $105, $110, $115.

What Are The Advantages?

• By participation in the pre-tax TransitChek program, employees in effect give themselves a raise in pay.  Depending on the tax bracket and the amount set aside, the tax-exemption will be at least 30% of the amount set aside – for example, an employee in a salary range of $20,000 to $40,000 who receives $1,200 a year in pre-tax TransitChek actually reduces his/her payroll taxes by over $360.
• Commuting Costs cannot otherwise be “written off” as income tax deductions.

TransitChek Policy

Objective:

To outline the procedures for employee participation in the TransitChek Program.

Policy:

Sarah Lawrence College is offering the TransitChek program as a pre-tax benefit. This debit card program will allow eligible employees to commute tax-free up to $115 per month, $1,380 per year. By participating in the pre-tax TransitChek program, employees in effect give themselves a raise in pay. For example, if you are in a 28% federal bracket, the program will save you approximately $400 off your yearly commutation. This amount is exempt from Federal Income, New York State and City Income, Social Security and Medicare taxes. Commuting costs cannot otherwise be “written off” as income tax deductions.

TransitChek debit cards are accepted by all providers of mass transit in the New York Metro area, including LIRR, MetroNorth, NJ Transit, PATH, MTA subways and buses, suburban buses, van pools and ferry service. For more information please consult the list of TransitChek Operators or go to the TransitChek site.

Procedure:

The following procedures shall apply to TransitChek Program participants:

1. Employees may enroll on a quarterly basis—the beginning of March, June, September and December.
2. Employee must complete the Employee TransitChek Enrollment Form.
3. After the Initial Enrollment Period, employee will have the opportunity to start, stop or change the amount to be deducted during the first three days of every quarter.
4. TransitChek debit cards are paid for by Employee one month in advance.
5. TransitChek debit cards will be available in monthly denominations of $30, 35, 45, 50, 60, 65, 81, 105, 110, and 115.
6. TransitChek debit cards must be distributed to and signed for only by the employee who registered for the program (no one else can sign for your TransitChek)
7. TransitChek debit cards are the equivalent of cash. Under no circumstances will the College grant any refunds, exchanges or replacements if they are mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed.
8. TransitChek debit cards will be distributed at the end of each month for transportation the following month.
9. In the event of separation from the College, the College shall reverse TransitChek payroll deductions for the month of separation.
10. The College reserves the right in its sole discretion to modify, amend, suspend or terminate the TransitChek Program at any time without notice. No program is intended as a guarantee of benefits or rights.