The program allows one to buy MetroCard, Metro-North tickets, and even some parking pre-tax, which means that while one will still pay $112.00 per month for her Unlimited Monthly MetroCard, that money is taken from her paycheck before taxes are applied, lowering the amount she pays in taxes just a little. Also, since the money is split up over the course of the month's paychecks, she does not need to worry about budgeting for her MetroCard, or even buying one -- it is delivered with her paycheck once a month.
Most companies offer TransitCheck, but not every employee thinks to ask. If one is not already taking advantage of the program, she should sign up for it right away -- the only requirement is to decide how much she wants taken out each month. I have used the program in both part-time and full-time positions, so I know being part-time does not disqualify an employee from taking advantage of it.
However, sometimes a company is resistant to signing up for TransitCheck because they assume they will have to pay for it. When I first came to work with my current company, TransitCheck was not offered. I had to ask several times for this benefit, but once I pointed out that it doesn't cost the company anything, and in fact, the company saves up to $350.00 per employee per year in payroll taxes, they were on board, and signed up right away.
So whether one just needs to take advantage of the program already offered, or convince her company to offer it, one should do so today. It might be a small savings, but why pay a penny more in taxes than one must?
Both images from TransitCheck.
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