Understanding Qualified Bicycle Commuting Month and Its Implications
Definition & Meaning
A qualified bicycle commuting month refers to any month during which an employee consistently uses a bicycle for a significant part of their commute between home and work. During this month, the employee must not receive any other qualified transportation benefits, such as a transit pass, commuter highway vehicle benefits, or qualified parking. If an employee does receive a reimbursement for bicycle commuting in a qualified month, they cannot also receive these other transportation benefits for that same month.
Legal Use & context
This term is primarily used in the context of employee benefits and tax regulations. It falls under federal tax law, specifically related to transportation benefits provided by employers. Understanding qualified bicycle commuting months is important for both employers and employees to ensure compliance with tax regulations and to maximize available benefits.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
(Hypothetical example) An employee who cycles to work five days a week for the entire month of June qualifies for a qualified bicycle commuting month. If they receive a reimbursement for their bicycle commuting expenses, they cannot also claim a transit pass for that month.