Americans who ride public transportation will face increased commuting costs if Congress does not act to extend the transit commuter benefit by the end of the year, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This will in effect create a disparity in the federal tax code in favor of the car driver.
In addition, this increased commuting cost will hit the very workers who may need it the most, according the the association. APTA says that 70% of those who rely on public transit have household incomes from $15,000 to $99,000 a year, according to its latest demographic survey of riders.
“Unless Congress acts, there will be a financial bias in the federal tax code against public transit use,” said APTA President Michael P. Melaniphy. “We are seeking to maintain parity with the parking benefit to ensure that there isn’t a disincentive to take public transportation.”
Legislation to temporarily establish parity between parking and transit/vanpool benefits at $230 per month per commuter was extended under the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act through 2011. However, the transit/vanpool portion of the benefit will revert to $125 per month when the provision expires at the end of the year while the parking benefit increases to $240.
Time to let your representatives know that public transit commuters deserve a break too.
Commuter Parking Advisory Committee
http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2011/12/APTA-failure-to-extend-transit-commuter-benefits-favors-drivers.aspx?ref=Express-Tuesday-20111206&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter
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