WageWorks Applauds Extension of Parity for Employer-Provided Pre-Tax Mass Transit and Parking Benefits

WageWorks Inc. (NYSE:WAGE), a leading provider of Consumer-Directed Benefits (CDBs), such as pre-tax accounts for health, commuter and other employee benefits, today praised Congress for extending parity for pre-tax transit and parking benefits through the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, a deal signed to avoid the fiscal cliff. The action increases the pre-tax transit benefit to $240 per month, re-establishing parity between the transit and parking benefits. This provision, retroactive to 2012 and through 2013, can deliver annual savings of over $1,000 to individuals fully utilizing their transit accounts for public transportation travel between home and work

“Congress’s action reverses what amounted to a tax increase on hard-working Americans who utilize commuter benefits and public transportation to get to work,” said Dan Neuburger, President of WageWorks Commuter Services, which is a member of the Commuter Benefits Work For Us coalition. “This legislation puts money back into the pockets of everyday commuters while also providing payroll tax savings for businesses,” said Neuburger.

In 2012, the amount public transit commuters were allowed to set aside in their pre-tax transit accounts each month dropped from $230 to $125, while the cap for parking costs increased from $230 to $240 due to a cost of living adjustment

While the Act is retroactive to January 2012 and remains in effect through December 2013, Congress would still need to act in order to guarantee permanent parity in the future.
“A legislative priority for us this year is to make sure transit parity is guaranteed permanently after 2013,” said Neuburger.

About WageWorks
WageWorks (NYSE:WAGE) is a leading provider of Consumer-Directed Benefits (CDBs) in the United States. WageWorks administers and operates a broad array of CDBs, including pre-tax spending accounts, such as health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), as well as Commuter Benefit Services, including transit and parking programs, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), and other employee benefits.
WageWorks is headquartered in San Mateo, California, with offices in major locations throughout the United States. For more information, please visit the website at www.wageworks.com