Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) recently co-hosted a seminar that provided comprehensive training on the ins and outs of WMATA’s SmartBenefits program. SmartBenefits is a self-managed and IRS-compliant commuter benefits system that allows employers and employees to save money on commuting costs.
With over 30 attendees representing approximately 23 Arlington employers, our first SmartBenefits seminar was a success! A variety of topics were covered including:
- Admin setup
- The enrollment process
- Unique system features
- Reporting
Employers and employees alike left the training feeling informed and confident about navigating the SmartBenefits system.
Why You Should Implement a Transit Benefit
A transit benefit is a financial win-win for everyone. An employee can save money on commuting cost and their employer can save money on payroll taxes.
One type of benefit is the pre-tax transit benefit, which allows an employee to allocate up to $260 per month for commuting. The amount can be used toward taking transit, vanpooling and Metrorail parking. An employer can save up to $417 on taxes per employee, each year by offering a pre-tax transit benefit. See the full savings breakdown and the types of transit benefits your company could implement.
How Do I Get Started?
ATP has worked with several employers in Arlington assisting in transit benefit program implementation. Contact us for information on how your organization can implement SmartBenefits, or download our full guide on commuter benefits. Keep a lookout for our upcoming training sessions and demonstrations of the SmartBenefits platform.
Photo Credit: Sam Kittner/Kittner.com for Arlington Transportation Partners