Accountant

[dlandrum]

Was wondering if anyone has an accountant that they would recommend who is familiar with the new bike commuter tax credit.

[octavian]

Tax Credit? Hm.. This is the first I've heard of it. In answer to your question, no. I know of no accountant who is familiar with a bike communter tax credit.

Would you care to enlighten us? How does this tax credit work?

[Haven_kd7yct]

I'm not an accountant, but I work in the payroll industry with accountants, and I am familiar with the bike tax credit.

Here's what I know, in a nutshell:

The Qualified bicycling commuting reimbursement (aka bike commuting credit) is essentially a qualified transportation fringe benefit available to employers, much like paying for parking, transit passes, or vanpool.

It is not a credit an individual can take on a tax return.

It is $20 per month-- per IRS publication 15B for 2010: "For any calendar year, the exclusion for qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement includes any employer reimbursement during the 15-month period beginning with the first day of the calendar year for reasonable expenses incurred by the employee during the calendar year.

"Reasonable expenses include:
-- The purchase of a bicycle and
-- Bicycle improvements, repair, and storage.

"These are considered reasonable expenses as long as the bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee's residence and place of employment."

The $20 per qualified bicycle commuting month is excluded from wages (it is given to employee outside of payroll).

S-corporation owners cannot take advantage of the qualified transportation benefits. Employers may not combine the bicycle commuting reimbursement with any other qualified transportation fringe benefit.

Hope this helps; for more info, read through pages 19 and 20 of IRS publication 15B, available free on the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

Thanks!

Kt

[octavian]

Thanks, Haven. dlandrum, you can find more information on this over here.