The Pre-Tax Commuting-to-Work Program
Eligibility and Plan Limits
The JHU Pre-tax Commuting-to-work Program is available to all full-time and part-time faculty (except visiting faculty) and staff members who are paid semi-monthly. This program treats qualified parking and mass transit expenses on a pre-tax basis, that is, the amounts are excluded from your taxable income, up to the amount allowed by the IRS. If you exceed the IRS limit, the amount deducted from your pay will be on a post-tax basis.
How the Plan Works
The university has contracted with WageWorks as our commuter benefits provider. WageWorks provides a national on-line catalogue with over 250,000 transit options nationwide, so you are likely to find the one that helps you travel to work. There is no need to worry about locking yourself into an annual commitment. You can make a one-time election to receive the same benefits each month, or, if your commute options change regularly, you may elect different benefits every month.
It is important to note that IRS regulations require you to purchase your transit or parking pass in advance of the month that it is going to occur. For example, in order to participate for January you need to order your transit or parking pass by December 10; to participate for February you must place your order by January 10, and so on. If you are electing an out-of-pocket expense or a transit or parking pass that is not available through WageWorks, you will still need to submit your projected monthly expense by the 10th of each month. To obtain reimbursement for your eligible out-of-pocket expenses, simply submit to WageWorks their completed claim form along with your receipts. Claim forms are available from the WageWorks website or by calling WageWorks directly.
It is also important to note that the cost of the transit or non-JHU parking will be deducted from your paycheck over two pay periods; you no longer pay in advance. The deductions will be on the last day of the month of the order and the 15th of the next month. For example, for January, the cost of the items you order from WageWorks by December 10 will be deducted from your paycheck on December 31 and January 15; for February, for items ordered by January 10, the deductions will be from your January 31 and February 15 paychecks, and so on. Sign-ups, changes and deletions for ordering passes must always occur by the 10th of the month prior to the month you are receiving benefits, depending on the pass you choose.
Mass Transit Information
After you sign up and make your elections to purchase mass transit passes, they will be mailed to your home address. If you participate in this plan, your home address from the university's payroll system will be provided to WageWorks. To avoid delays in receiving your pass, please be sure your home address, as shown on your paycheck, is correct. If it is not correct, please contact your department administrator to have it corrected through the university's EDEM system.
Parking Information
For parking, you can have WageWorks pay your non-JHU garage or facility directly using pre-tax dollars. If you currently park in a JHU facility and have your parking fee deducted from your semimonthly paycheck, you are already receiving the pre-tax benefit and you cannot use WageWorks for those expenses.
How to Enroll
Online - Visit http://www.wageworks.com and click on the "Sign Up Now" button.
- Enter the required sign up information for accurate identification.
- Create a username / password and ensure your contact information is correct.
- Read the User Agreement and Confirm your acceptance.
- Select the Transit or Parking tab and choose your provider.
- Confirm your selection and for transit, look for the pass in your mailbox.
- The cost will automatically be deducted from your paycheck.
Phone -- Simply call WageWorks toll-free at 1-877-924-3967 (1-877-WAGEWORKS), Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST.
