Please read the following notification in its entirety. This information may affect your mass transit benefits.
UPDATE: On Friday January 11, 2013, the IRS adjusted the maximum allowed transit subsidy up to $245 for 2013. Please see IRS Revenue Procedure 2013-15.
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 increases the maximum monthly statutory limit for mass transit benefits to $240* for calendar year 2013. Participants are now eligible to submit claims for their certified commuting expenses up to the new maximum limit. (* amount subject to change based on IRS guidance)
Future benefits will be issued in amounts equal to employee's certified commuting costs or the maximum monthly statutory limit ($245), whichever is less. Guidance regarding January 2013 benefits is under review by various authoritative government agencies. Information will be provided once available
Submit your claim for benefits as usual up to your certified commuting expenses. Your most recently approved commuting expenses are on file. There is no need to submit a change application for this increase unless you need to update your commuting expenses. To view your most recently approved application that includes your expenses, please visit Participant Status.
Please submit your claim up to your certified monthly commuting cost or $245, whichever is less.
Important Note: Riders of third party transit providers may need to take additional actions. Third party transit providers are those modes of transportation that DO NOT have a SmarTrip card reader on board. Please see important additional instructions below.
You may need to adjust your allocation. Depending on your mode of Transit, you must notify Commuter Direct or WMATA (Metro) of the adjustment you wish to make to your allocation amount. Otherwise, your previously specified amount will be sent to your transit provider. Any unallocated benefits will remain on your SmarTrip card for Metrorail or Metrobus use.
By the 16th of the month prior to benefit delivery, you must log into your CommuterDirect account and adjust the total amount you wish to allocate to purchase your monthly pass.
By the 20th of the month prior to benefit delivery, you must update your allocation with WMATA (Metro).
A detailed guide for updating your allocation on WMATA's website is available at Van Pools & Transit Services
WMATA (Metro) may be reached at 888-762-7874 for assistance with logging in and modifying your allocation account.
If you have any questions, please contact the MTBP team at transitpass@whs.mil or (571) 256-0962.