[Uwracing] Fwd: UW not participating in fed tax exemption for bike commuters

[Kent Jewell]

Hello fellow UW bike commuters,

I just wanted to forward thread below w/reply from UW Commuter  
Services head Celeste Gilman that the UW has decided not to  
participate (for now) in the $20/month federal bicycle commuter tax  
benefit. I'll admit to finding this a little discouraging since I've  
been nudging them or supplying them w/info on this opportunity since  
last Nov. E.g., in early Jan. I provided them the link to the new IRS  
booklet explaining specifically how this new program is designed to  
work: http://www.irs.gov/publications/p15b/ar02.html#en_US_publink1000101852 
  -- but she says they're still looking for clearer direction from the  
IRS on how to begin implementing the program here at the UW & they  
also have concern that taking advantage of the new legislation might  
expose the UW to too much potential tax liability.

So, unfortunately it sounds like the UW Transport. Committee has voted  
unanimously to wait for additional legislation that makes combining a  
possible bike commuter benefit into their pre-existing multi-modal  
transport mix much easier...

Fwiw, I will continue to occasionally feed them info as I come across  
it showing how other business & institutions are already implementing  
this federal program successfully. I may also follow up w/a message  
that while it may not be 100% convenient for them to implement it  
right now that I as a UW employee (& taxpayer) would still like to see  
them put forth a sustained good faith effort to implement it if  
possible. Hopefully UW Transportation Services will hear enough  
feedback from the large number of bike commuters across the UW that  
they will find a way to make it work!

Best,
Kent Jewell
College of Ed Staff, Husky Cycling member

Begin forwarded message:


> From: "Celeste A. Gilman" <cgilman at u.washington.edu>

> Date: March 26, 2009 4:49:21 PM PDT

> To: "KENT W. JEWELL" <kjewell at u.washington.edu>, Riderain IMAP <riderain at u.washington.edu 

> >

> Subject: RE: quest. re: fed tax exemption for bike commuters

>

> Kent,

>

> Thanks very much for the information. We'll be watching to see how  

> Blumenauer's latest legislation, H.R. 863, fares.

>

> The UW applauds the intention of the original legislation. Such  

> federal recognition highlights the key role that bicycling plays in  

> shaping sensible transportation systems and a healthy environment.  

> Unfortunately, careful review of the initiative revealed that it  

> provides little direction on how such a benefit might be implemented  

> and the IRS has yet to provide guidance. The lack of clear direction  

> creates a significant tax risk for the University. A further  

> complication to UW implementation is that, according to the  

> legislation, the bicycle benefit cannot be combined with any parking  

> or transit benefits. Fundamental to the University's existing  

> transportation demand management (TDM) programs is providing  

> integrated benefits for all non-drive alone commute modes.

>

> These issues drove the University Transportation Committee to vote  

> unanimously that the University of Washington is not able to offer  

> the bicycle benefit at this time. Commuter Services will continue to  

> pursue direction from the IRS and advocate for the changes that will  

> permit an integrated benefit.  If additional direction is provided  

> by the IRS or changes are made to the legislation that make the  

> benefit compatible with the University's existing TDM programs (such  

> as the passage of H.R. 863), the University will revisit offering  

> the bicycle benefit. In the meantime, Commuter Services will  

> continue to look at other ways to further support and encourage  

> bicycle commuting.

>

> Thank you for bicycling and thank you for your attention to this  

> legislation. Please feel free to continue to send information our  

> way if you find additional information of interest.

>

>

> Thanks,

> Celeste Gilman

> Transportation Systems Manager

> Commuter Services

> Transportation Services

> University of Washington

> Box 351105

> 3901 University Way NE

> Seattle, WA 98105

> (206) 685-4380

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Kent Jewell [mailto:kjewell at u.washington.edu]

> Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 3:56 PM

> To: Riderain IMAP; Celeste A. Gilman

> Subject: Re: quest. re: fed tax exemption for bike commuters

>

> Hello Sara & Celeste:

>

> I recently saw another informative article on the bike commuter tax

> benefit that might have some useful info for possible UW

> implementation?:

> http://rodale.typepad.com/roadrights/2009/03/the-commuter-ta.html

>

> Look for the bit within the article about Accor Services 'commuter

> check for bicycling' voucher system. The home page of Accor Services

> commuter check program is:

> http://www.accorservicesusa.com/services/CommuterCheck.aspx

>

> Hoping this might be helpful,

> Best,

> Kent

>

> On Feb 11, 2009, at 9:12 AM, Kent Jewell wrote:

>

>> Hello Sara,

>>

>> Thanks for the reply. I don't have any specific questions at the

>> moment - just wanting to make sure that the UW is actively exploring

>> how this might best work on campus!

>>

>> I'll look forward to updates if progress develops.

>>

>> Best,

>> Kent

>>

>> On Feb 11, 2009, at 7:53 AM, Riderain IMAP wrote:

>>

>>> Hi Kent,

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Thanks for your email, it is an interesting topic for sure! To be

>>> honest

>>> we're still working on figuring it all out. There are a lot of

>>> questions

>>> around the benefit and the whole industry is slowly trying to piece

>>> together

>>> how to implement it. If we figure out a way to offer the benefit

>>> you can be

>>> sure we will advertise it when the program is available. Let me

>>> know if I

>>> can answer any more questions for you.

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Thank you,

>>>

>>> Sara Brydges

>>>

>>> Program Coordinator

>>>

>>> Commuter Services

>>>

>>> University of Washington

>>>

>>> Box 351105

>>>

>>> 3901 University Way NE

>>>

>>> Seattle, WA 98105

>>>

>>> (206) 616-7517

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> From: Kent Jewell [mailto:kjewell at u.washington.edu]

>>> Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 3:23 PM

>>> To: Riderain IMAP

>>> Subject: quest. re: fed tax exemption for bike commuters

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Hi,

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Thanks for all the organizing work on ride in the rain this year.

>>> Hopefully

>>> we'll get the last of this snow out of the way before the  

>>> 'challenge'

>>> officially begins!

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> I am writing because I have a short thread w/UW Transportation

>>> Office & was

>>> curious if any of you there w/finger in the ride in the rain

>>> support work

>>> are already working on helping to get the UW hooked into the new

>>> federal tax

>>> exemption program for employers to help provide their employees who

>>> are

>>> regular bike commuters? Below is thread I have going so far,

>>> including links

>>> to new IRS info & political updates. It sounds like Celeste Gilman

>>> may be

>>> looking into it, but am not sure of latest?

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> I would be curious to hear of any progress on getting the UW hooked

>>> into

>>> this & have told other regular bike commuters here in my unit that

>>> I'll let

>>> them know if I hear anything more.

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Thanks,

>>>

>>> Kent

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

>>> Kent Jewell

>>> Educational Psychology Area Secretary

>>> College of Ed Diversity Task Force Co-Chair

>>>

>>> 312 Miller Hall, Box 353600

>>> College of Education

>>> University of Washington

>>> Seattle, WA 98195-3600

>>> Phone: (206) 616-6310

>>> Fax: (206) 616-6311

>>> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Begin forwarded message:

>>>

>>> From: Transportation Office <upass at u.washington.edu>

>>>

>>> Date: January 8, 2009 11:36:43 AM PST

>>>

>>> To: Kent Jewell <kjewell at u.washington.edu>

>>>

>>> Subject: Re: UW bike commuter quest. on new tax provision

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Thank you very much for sending the URL with online information

>>> from the IRS

>>> about the new benefit.  I'll pass the URL along to our  

>>> Transportation

>>> Systems Manager, Celeste Gilman.  There are not any new

>>> developments to

>>> report since you contacted us earlier in late November, but our

>>> Transportation Systems Manager will be working to determine whether

>>> the new

>>> benefit can be meshed with the U-PASS program and how that would be

>>> set up.

>>> When a decision is made, we would publicize it to the University

>>> community.

>>> Thanks again for your consideration in writing to us.

>>>

>>> --Jan Fahey

>>> Program Coordinator

>>>

>>> ****************************************************************************

>>> **

>>> University of Washington

>>> Commuter Services  Box 351105

>>> Seattle, WA  98195-1105

>>> (206) 543-0450

>>> www.washington.edu/commuterservices/

>>> ****************************************************************************

>>> **

>>>

>>> On Thu, 8 Jan 2009, Kent Jewell wrote:

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Hello,

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> I just wanted to follow up on this thread in case there has been any

>>> development at UW Transportation Office on this opportunity? Pls.  

>>> see

>>> earlier thread below.

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Also, I would add that the IRS does now have its booklet explaining

>>> how this

>>> plan works online:

>>>

>>> http://www.irs.gov/publications/p15b/index.html

>>>

>>> Publication 15-B (2009), Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> This link also contains more updated information than what it had

>>> when I

>>> forwarded it back in Nov.:

>>>

>>> http://www.bikeleague.org/news/100708faq.php

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Looking forward to an update when anyone there has time,

>>>

>>> Best & Happy '09!

>>>

>>> Kent

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> On Nov 20, 2008, at 9:08 AM, Kent Jewell wrote:

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Hello Jan,

>>>

>>> Thanks for the quick reply and will look for updates if UW is able

>>> to work

>>> this program into the transport. program mix!

>>>

>>> Best,

>>>

>>> Kent

>>>

>>> On Nov 20, 2008, at 8:46 AM, Transportation Office wrote:

>>>

>>> Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your input. We are

>>> still

>>> evaluating how we might integrate this new opportunity into

>>>

>>> our multi-modal transportation program. We will put out information

>>> on our

>>>

>>> decision before the tax code changes take effect in 2009.

>>>

>>> --Jan Fahey

>>>

>>> Program Coordinator

>>>

>>> ****************************************************************************

>>> **

>>>

>>> University of Washington

>>>

>>> Commuter Services  Box 351105

>>>

>>> Seattle, WA  98195-1105

>>>

>>> (206) 543-0450

>>>

>>> www.washington.edu/commuterservices/

>>>

>>> ****************************************************************************

>>> **

>>>

>>> On Wed, 19 Nov 2008, Kent Jewell wrote:

>>>

>>> Hi,

>>>

>>> I'm a year-round UW staff bicycle commuter & have a question...

>>>

>>> I recently read in several places that the new recent federal $700  

>>> stimulus

>>> bill.

>>>  included a provision that allowed employers to hook in to

>>> a new

>>> 2009 program that would allow for up to $20 per month of tax credit

>>> for

>>> employee bicycle commuters (toward parts, repairs, etc.). Has

>>> anyone there

>>> in your office done any research into this, and, if so, is the UW

>>> planning

>>> to help implement this here on campus?

>>>

>>> More detailed info about the provisions of the legislation can be

>>> obtained

>>> on these web pages:

>>>

>>> http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=817&It

>>> emid=167

>>>

>>> http://www.bikeleague.org/news/100708faq.php

>>>

>>> I would be curious to hear any updates on this - no rush, but

>>> curious to

>>> hear if the UW will be participating this coming year!

>>>

>>> Thanks,

>>>

>>> Kent

>>>

>>> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

>>>

>>> Kent Jewell

>>>

>>> Educational Psychology Area Secretary

>>>

>>> College of Ed Diversity Task Force Co-Chair

>>>

>>> 312 Miller Hall, Box 353600

>>>

>>> College of Education

>>>

>>> University of Washington

>>>

>>> Seattle, WA 98195-3600

>>>

>>> Phone: (206) 616-6310

>>>

>>> Fax: (206) 616-6311

>>>

>>> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

>>>

>