Listed below are frequently asked questions on QTAs. Click on a question below to view its corresponding answer.
- When am I eligible to participate?
- Who is not eligible to participate?
- Is there a limit to the amount I can be reimbursed through the Plan?
- What is a "qualified" expense?
- If my neighbor and I ride together in the neighbor's car, and I pay half of the gas expenses, can I use the vanpooling
or transit benefit to receive reimbursement?
- My spouse pays for parking as well. Can those expenses be reimbursed under my plan?
- Can I use this benefit for the tolls I pay to commute to work?
- Can I use the parking benefit in conjunction with vanpooling?
- How do I receive reimbursement for these expenses?
- How long do I have to wait for reimbursement?
- How do I get reimbursed for transit costs, since I don't receive a receipt for the money I pay to ride the bus each day?
- Can I certify, by signature, my parking and vanpooling expenses?
- I always pay my parking bills by check. Can I turn in a copy of my canceled check and receive reimbursement?
- Do I have to sign up for this when I become eligible, or can I sign up at any time?
- Once signed up, am I obligated to remain in the plan for the remainder of the year?
- If my expenses increase or decrease during the year, can I change my election?
- Are qualified transportation benefits subject to taxation at any point?
- Are these benefits part of a cafeteria plan?
- What are the benefits I will have if I enroll in the plan?
- Are there any aspects of the plan that I should understand before enrolling?
When am I eligible to participate?
Please see your employer for your company’s specific eligibility guidelines.
Who is not eligible to participate?
Partners of a partnership, sole proprietors and greater than 2% shareholders of a Sub-S Corporation are not eligible to participate in the Plan because they do not meet the definition of employee.
Is there a limit to the amount I can be reimbursed through the Plan?
Yes. The limit is $205.00 per month for qualified parking expenses and $105.00 per month for qualified vanpooling or transit expenses.
What is a "qualified" expense?
A qualified expense as it relates to the Qualified Transportation Reimbursement Plan means it must be work-related. For instance, parking expenses at a sports facility are not reimbursable unless the sports facility is your place of employment.
Qualified parking expenses are:
Work-related expenses you pay for parking your vehicle near your employer's place of business, or in a parking lot from which you commute to work by vanpooling or carpooling.
Qualified vanpooling expenses are:
Work-related expenses you pay for transportation between your residence and work, but only if transportation is provided in a "commuter highway vehicle", defined as a highway vehicle with a seating capacity of six or more adults not including the driver. This can include transportation provided by the employer or by a company in the business of vanpooling.
Qualified transit expenses include:
Any pass, token, fare card, voucher or similar item that entitles the employee to work-related transportation (or transportation at a reduced price) on mass transit facilities, or provided by an entity in the business of transporting persons, if such transportation is provided in the type of highway vehicle used for vanpooling.
If my neighbor and I ride together in the neighbor's car, and I pay half of the gas expenses, can I use the vanpooling or transit benefit to receive reimbursement?
No. Carpooling expenses are not reimbursable. Please remember, there are restrictions as to what constitutes vanpooling and mass transit.
My spouse pays for parking as well. Can those expenses be reimbursed under my plan?
No. In order for expenses to be reimbursed, they must be the expenses of the employee. In order for the spouse's expenses to be reimbursed, the spouse's employer would need to set up a plan of their own.
Can I use this benefit for the tolls I pay to commute to work?
No. There is no provision specifically for tolls.
Can I use the parking benefit in conjunction with vanpooling?
Yes, with each reimbursable benefit subject to its own applicable monthly maximum as described above.
How do I receive reimbursement for these expenses?
When you have incurred expenses which qualify for reimbursement, you must file a claim for reimbursement for those expenses and send a claim form along with your receipts to eBenefits
Administrators, Inc. If you are using the Benny™ Prepaid MasterCard® Card, you may not have to send us documentation. Please see your employer for more information.
How long do I have to wait for reimbursement?
Claims are entered daily as they are received and are processed on your employer’s predetermined schedule which may be weekly or the1st or 15th of the month. You will receive your reimbursement within 2 to 10 days depending on your employer’s reimbursement option.
How do I get reimbursed for transit costs, since I don't receive a receipt for the money I pay to ride the bus each day?
The request for reimbursement form allows you to certify these expenses by your personally signing the reimbursement request form.
Can I certify, by signature, my parking and vanpooling expenses?
No. Parking and vanpooling expenses require a written receipt.
I always pay my parking bills by check. Can I turn in a copy of my canceled check and receive reimbursement?
No. Expenses must be properly substantiated, so make sure your parking provider can issue you a receipt or invoice for the expenses. Receipts and invoices should contain the provider's business name and address.
Do I have to sign up for this when I become eligible, or can I sign up at any time?
You can sign up at any time, provided the election is made on a prospective basis.
Once signed up, am I obligated to remain in the plan for the remainder of the year?
No. You can revoke an election at any time provided it is on a prospective basis.
If my expenses increase or decrease during the year, can I change my election?
Yes, provided the change is made on a prospective basis. Retroactive changes or elections are not permissible.
Are qualified transportation benefits subject to taxation at any point?
Reimbursements made to you for qualified expenses are not subject to federal wage or Social Security wage withholding.
Are these benefits part of a cafeteria plan?
No. This is a benefit separate and apart from benefits which you may have through your company's cafeteria plan. This benefit is not permitted in a cafeteria plan. Your Cafeteria Plan benefits are guided by Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code whereas Transit and Parking reimbursements are guided under Section 132 of the Internal Revenue Code.
What are the benefits I will have if I enroll in the plan?
The most obvious benefits are the tax advantages, since qualified expenses are not subject to federal wage or Social Security wage withholding.
Are there any aspects of the plan that I should understand before enrolling?
Remember, in order for you to receive reimbursement, expenses must be substantiated in writing. In addition, since this is a salary reduction plan, it could have a minimal impact on future Social Security benefits.
