SilverSquare

SilverSquare OP t1_j6ldylm wrote

I replied in a different response, but in the event I do this and I do this the correct way (using it only for work-related travel), would I have to log my travels in case I ever get audited? The way that they would provide this benefit to me is I would make a declaration of how much I’d want to take out of my paycheck, it would be added to either a commuter card debit card (or straight into a transit pass if I wanted to), and afterwards I’d use that card to buy/load my transit pass.

What are the odds of being audited for something like this? I’ll definitely bring this up and ask my benefits team since they distinguish between commuting and parking, with only work specific language on the parking portion where it states that this can be used to pay for parking near your workplace. versus the commuting is just a catch-all “use it to pay for commuting expenses (bus/train/carpool), but nothing else (rideshare like Uber/Lyft not included).

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SilverSquare OP t1_j6ld9ms wrote

Appreciate the answers, y’all. I’m definitely learning a lot. How would this be something interpreted as a remote worker? Would a bus ride to a local coffee shop to work be fine? Would getting things like office supplies/coffee to make my “work environment” better be fine? Would I have to keep a log of my travels? I’m not hiding the fact that I am remote as I transitioned from working in office, representing a specific location to now declaring being a full on remote worker.

Asking because I was wondering if you have clarification on what would be determined legal for remote workers? Also legit asking for context as I’m just learning about this and not at all to circumvent or loophole this. It seems like a gray area, but also uncertain since remote work existed before the pandemic.

If I went through this process, I’d get a physical card sent to me and the purchase would be for a physical transit pass that would be periodically loaded as needed, so the only charge would be on that commuter card while my transit pass is the one getting used for commuting.

It seems like it’s one of those things that I shouldn’t be too concerned about in terms of enforcement, but also I feel like I’ll play it safe. Either way, I can still load a minuscule amount for the few times I do meet up for work at a co-working space and $5-$10/month would help cover those rare trips while saving some money on tax.

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SilverSquare OP t1_j6ktjdb wrote

Thanks for your help. Sorry that I didn't have the numbers, but someone did use an example with arbitrary numbers that helped display the point.

I think in the end I realized I was wondering how much would be the difference between me utilizing my commuter benefits for a transit pass versus straight up spending my own cash on it.

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SilverSquare OP t1_j6kt705 wrote

How is it tax evasion?

Not being defensive, but genuinely curious. If I am using my commuter benefits to purchase transit currency for use of traveling, is that really evading taxes?

Despite my vague and confusing post, I was looking more into if this is beneficial to save money for something I am already spending money on.

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SilverSquare OP t1_j6kszkx wrote

thanks! so far I looked at the policies and there's no specific wording on it had to be work-related travel. as long as it's used towards transit like busses/trains, it's allowed. I'm interpreting this as "hey remote workers, you technically can work from anywhere so we're not going to be on your ass about where you're using your transit pass as long as you're using the benefits to purchase transit passes, then you're good."

the only work-specific wording i see is parking, which is a separate commuter benefit where the parking has to be near a workplace, which I'm interpreting as near any coworking spots as we don't have an office anymore.

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SilverSquare OP t1_j6ks3jj wrote

thanks! sorry if it wasn't clear. i think being in my head about it too much is just making it more complicated than it needs to be.

but you answered it perfectly with a good example even though i didn't provide any data (that's on me). your explanation really makes it clear.

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