Participant FAQs
about Commuter Benefits
What is the Commuter Benefit Program?
This program provides you with a just-in-time online ordering system for transit and parking. By using this
benefit, you can save on your income, social security and FICA taxes by paying for your commuting expenses
with pre-tax dollars. Orders are made online, the purchase price is deducted from your paycheck and your
passes are mailed directly to your home. Passes can be ordered for any amount. The amount of the pass up
to the statutory limit (set forth by the IRS) will be withheld from your paycheck pre-tax. Any orders beyond
the pre-tax limit will be withheld from the paycheck on a post-tax basis.
How can I save money with this program?
Employees are not required to pay income, Social Security or FICA taxes on money that is used to pay for
commuting expenses. Assuming a combined tax rate of 30%, you can save more than $500 per year on
transit expenses of $1,260. You can save another $960 per year on parking expenses of $2,400. That’s like
getting four months of commuting for free!
What expenses can be pre-tax?
Public transportation, vanpools or commuter highway vehicles, as well as parking at or near your place of
employment are all eligible pre-tax expenses. In addition, parking at a location from where you commute to
work by public transit, vanpool or carpool, is also a qualified expense.
What are some sample eligible transit expenses?
Fare cards: Monthly fare passes purchased from affiliated transportation authorities
Vouchers: Vouchers used as means of payment for fare cards purchased directly from transit authorities
Smart Card: Cards used for both parking and transit, including but not limited to:
Atlanta – Breeze Card
Boston - Charlie Card
Chicago – Chicago Card Plus
Houston – Q Card
Philadelphia – Freedom Card
San Francisco – TransLink Card
Washington DC - SmarTrip Card
What other benefits does it give me?
In addition to the tax savings, you will also benefit from the convenience of online ordering and home
delivery. No more standing in line to buy tickets! No more waiting for reimbursements! Your desired fare
passes or tickets will be sent directly to your home unless they are stored value cards. These cards may be
purchased directly with the transit authority and loaded at the available kiosks. You can also set up your
order to be automatically recurring, so you do not have to do anything unless you want to cancel or make a
change.
Participant FAQs
about Commuter Benefits
What expenses aren't included in this program?
The law excludes mileage, tolls, fuel and carpooling expenses from this program. Business travel and other
reimbursed travel expenses are also excluded from this benefit.
What are the monthly pre-tax limits?
For 2007, the monthly pre-tax limits are $110 for transit and vanpool expenses and $215 for parking
expenses. For 2008, the monthly pre-tax limits are $115 for transit and vanpool expenses and $220 for
parking expenses. These limits are set by the federal government and are generally adjusted annually. You
are allowed to participate in both transit and parking.
How do I purchase my transit pass online?
ƒ Go to www.mypayflex.com, click on "Login" on the left-hand side of the screen and enter your
username and password. (If you are a first time user, click on "Register my account" and fill in the
requested information).
ƒ Click on the "Parking & Transit Orders" link.
ƒ You are now on the “Ordering Platform”.
ƒ Then click on “Transit Order” located on the left hand side.
ƒ Select the Greater Metropolitan Area in which you commute.
ƒ Select the applicable transit provider.
ƒ Select your transit product (depending on the transit authority, the system may require you to enter
your station route first in order to identify the pass type.)
ƒ Enter your transit pass number (if applicable to your transit authority) and click “Continue”.
ƒ Enter the value you wish to add to the pass, and transit pass number (if applicable).
ƒ Enter the number of passes you wish to purchase and click “Continue” to confirm order.
ƒ Identify if you would like to schedule this transaction as an automatic, recurring monthly purchase.
ƒ Set your recurring options and click “Purchase”.
ƒ Review your order for accuracy and click “Return Home”.
Participant FAQs
about Commuter Benefits
How do I submit a parking order online?
There are three parking options available to you online via www.mypayflex.com. You may choose from
Monthly Direct Pay, ParkCheks or Cash Reimbursement.
Monthly Direct Pay Program
PayFlex’s Monthly Direct Pay program allows you to set up direct payment to your parking provider for your
recurring monthly parking expenses.
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Go to www.mypayflex.com, click on “Login” and enter your username and password. (If you are a
first time user, click on "Register my account" and fill in the requested information).
Select “Parking & Transit Orders”.
To pay your parking provider directly, you must have an existing relationship with that provider.
Select “Parking Order” on the left-hand side and then click on “Monthly Direct Pay”.
Using the search option, enter the name of your parking provider.
Select your parking provider from the list. You are selecting the payment address for your parking
provider which may not be the same as the location at which you park.
Enter your parking lot address information and click “Continue”.
Enter the amount to be paid to your parking provider and your account number. Check the
acknowledgment box and click “Continue”.
Set your recurring options and click “Purchase”.
ParkChek Program
ParkCheks are bank checks that are used to pay your parking provider for work-related parking expenses.
Checks may be purchased for one or more types of parking, and you may use more than one check at any
time. After receiving a ParkChek, simply provide the ParkChek as payment for your parking expenses.
Please note that change will not be given by the parking provider in the event your ParkChek exceeds the
parking amount.
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Go to www.mypayflex.com, click on “Login” and enter your username and password. (If you are a
first time user, click on "Register my account" and fill in the requested information).
Select “Parking & Transit Orders”.
Select “Parking Order” on the left-hand side and then select “ParkChek”.
Enter Parking Provider information.
Enter the amount and quantity of ParkCheks needed to pay your provider and click “Continue”.
Review your order, set your recurring options and click “Purchase”.
Click “Return Home”. Your order is now complete and will be processed on the next cutoff date.
Participant FAQs
about Commuter Benefits
How do I submit a parking order online? (continued)
Cash Reimbursement Program
To receive reimbursements for parking expenses you are required to have remitted payment to your parking
provider. You will need to elect a dollar amount to be withheld from your paycheck and contributed to your
account.
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Go to www.mypayflex.com, click on “Login” and enter your username and password. (If you are a
first time user, click on "Register my account" and fill in the requested information).
Select “Parking & Transit Orders”.
Select "Parking Order" on the left hand side and then click on "Enroll in Cash Reimbursement".
Select the link next to “Step 1” to set your parking election.
Enter election amount, parking provider name, location and address and select “Purchase”.
Review your election and set your recurring options.
Click “Purchase”. Your election is now complete.
For reimbursement, use Express Claims via www.mypayflex.com to submit a claim online or fax a
completed claim form and your receipt to PayFlex at 402.231.4310.
When can I purchase my transit pass or monthly parking online?
Passes may be purchased online at www.mypayflex.com by clicking on the “Parking & Transit Orders” link.
Monthly purchase cycles vary by employer and can run from the 21st of one month until the 8th of the
following month.
When will I receive my transit pass?
Your transit pass will be mailed to your home address between the 18th and 21st of each month. Funds will
be loaded and available on the Stored Value Transit Cards by 12:01 am on the 1st of the benefit month.
When will my parking location receive my monthly payment?
Parking garages and lots are paid at the end of each month for the following months’ use. In rare instances
where payment cannot be made to the lot directly, you will receive the payment directly which can then be
given to the parking provider.
What if I don’t have a monthly parking location that is set-up to take payments
directly from PayFlex each month?
If your parking provider cannot take payments directly from PayFlex, you can still participate in the pre-tax
benefit by enrolling in the Cash Reimbursement program. After you have paid for your parking and obtained
a receipt, simply file your claim online using our Express Claims service available at www.mypayflex.com.
Participant FAQs
about Commuter Benefits
How do I pay for my transit pass or monthly parking purchase?
PayFlex will notify your employer of your purchase and your employer will deduct the appropriate amount
from your paycheck. Elections up to the IRS pre-tax limit will be deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax
basis. Any purchases made over the IRS limits will be deducted on a post-tax basis.
Do I need to submit any receipts for transit passes?
You do not need to submit any receipts when you order your passes online.
Do I have to go online every month to purchase my transit pass?
When you make your online purchase you have the option to schedule it as an automaticly recurring
transaction. If you choose this option, your purchase will be automatically placed monthly. The only time
you would need to go back online is to make a change or cancel your recurring purchase for a particular
month. If you do not elect this option, then you would need to make your purchase each month.
Can I order the exact pass I use now?
We offer more than 10,000 different types of tickets and passes and most likely, we have exactly what meets
your transit or parking needs. If you cannot find your provider, simply select the “click here” link located on
the transit order screen. You can provide us with your transit pass information and you will be notified within
10 business days on the status of your request. Some requests may take longer.
What happens if I lose my pass?
Passes are non-refundable. You are allowed one non-delivered pass refund per calendar year assuming the
pass was set to be mailed to the correct address, but just did not arrive. Instructions are located under the
“help” link on the ordering platform.
What happens if my pass doesn't arrive in the mail?
If your pass does not arrive in the mail and you have provided a correct mailing address, simply follow the
non-delivered pass refund instructions under the “help” link on the ordering platform.
Participant FAQs
about Commuter Benefits
Can I cancel my pass at any time during the month?
Ordered passes and recurring order passes may be cancelled before the cycle close date. During the order
cycle, transit orders placed are listed under the “pending” tab of the transit website. You may cancel your
pass by following these steps:
• Log on to www.mypayflex.com
• Click on the “Parking and Transit Orders” link
• Click on “pending” blue button at the top of the transit website
• Click on “cancel” to the right of the pass that you want to cancel
• Log out and log back in – if the pass is no longer listed under pending, it has been cancelled
What do I do if my address changes?
If you have a change of address, please provide your new address to your employer immediately. PayFlex
only accepts address changes from your employer. This address is where your pass will be mailed. You
cannot change your mailing address online or by calling our call center.
Is there a customer service number I can call if I have questions?
Yes. Should you require assistance, please contact a customer service representative at (800) 284-4885
between the hours of 7:00am and 5:00 pm CT, Monday – Friday. Beginning January 1, 2008, customer
service representatives will be available 7:00am – 7:00pm CT, Monday – Friday.