Effective January 1, 2026, the federal monthly limit for IRS-qualified transportation fringe benefits was increased. Employees may now contribute up to $340 per month on a pre-tax basis for transit and eligible vanpool costs.
Metro administers SmartBenefits®, a free commuter benefits platform to enable employers to reduce payroll taxes by offering employees the ability to purchase transit fare and qualified vanpool expenses tax-free, thus increasing employees’ take-home pay.
Commuter Connections offers free direct ridematching to help commuters find vanpool partners and provides employers with complimentary consulting services to guide and assist with establishing or expanding commute and/or telework programs.
To create a free SmartBenefits account, visit wmata.com. To learn more about Commuter Connections’ free employer services, visit commuterconnections.org/employers.
