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Employers' Commuter Tax Credit Expanded
Maryland employers can now earn tax credits by adding carpools, telework, biking, walking — and even scooters — to their commute benefits, thanks to the passage this year of SB0210 by the General Assembly. Previously, the Maryland Commuter Tax Credit Program only allowed credits for employer-supported transit, vanpool, cash in lieu of parking, and guaranteed ride home benefits.
Get 50% Reimbursement: The expanded tax credit program, which took effect July 1, 2022, allows in-state businesses to be reimbursed for up to 50% of employer-provided commuter costs, up to $100 per employee.
Last-Mile Trips: Tax credits can also now offset the cost of “last-mile" trips by helping employers pay for up to five miles of multimodal travel connecting an employee with a non-single-occupancy travel mode to or from work. (For example, an employee might need to use a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft to get from a transit stop to their workplace.)
How to Apply: Check out this infographic that shows who can claim the tax credit. Employers can apply online through MDOT.
The legislation to expand the Maryland Commuter Tax Credit program was sponsored by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), drew broad support in the General Assembly, and was signed by Governor Hogan on April 12.
MDOT Secretary James F. Ports, Jr., noted that the expanded Maryland Commuter Tax Credit gives employers and employees greater benefits and flexibility, while also helping employers attract and retain talent. MDOT is authorized to issue up to $1 million in employer tax credits per fiscal year through the program.
Questions? Contact Brandan Stuckey at BTS: BStuckey@bethesda.org, 301-656-0868 Ext. 129.
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Car Free Day Is September 22: Take the Pledge!
Help the climate, not to mention local traffic congestion, by pledging to go car-free on September 22. Sign up at https://www.carfreemetrodc.org/ anytime starting August 1.
Save: There’s no charge to participate. In fact, leaving your car parked for the day will save you big money given today’s high gas prices.
Be Part of the Solution: You’ll be joining forces with thousands of other concerned commuters around the globe, who will collectively have a big positive environmental impact on that day.
Popular Event: Last year, Car Free Day drew nearly 3,000 pledges from the D.C. area alone. In this region, telework and walk/run were the top car-free commute modes chosen in 2021, followed by bicycle/scooter, train, bus, and carpool.
Join the 2-Million-Mile Challenge: The League of American Bicyclists invites you to show your pedal-mettle by choosing cycling as your preferred mode on Car Free Day. The League’s Drive Less, Bike More initiative aims to get two-wheeled supporters riding a collective total of two million miles on September 22 — double the League’s 2021 goal, which riders exceeded by clocking 1.5 million miles. Learn how to make sure your miles get counted.
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Get Ready…Get Set…Get Going
2022 Walk & Ride Challenge Coming This Fall
Will the Nats or Orioles be in the World Series? Will the Commanders or Caps make us all proud? Who knows. There’s only one way to raise the odds of having a winning team in any sport: form your own. And that’s what you’ll get to do this fall when the Walk & Ride Challenge returns.
Clock Your Walk: You’ll be competing with teams of coworkers from all around downtown Bethesda. Show ‘em how many steps you can stride, tallying up every one for a chance to win weekly individual prizes (plus a shot at the overall prize for the top three teams).
Social-Friendly Event: Walk & Ride is a great way to have fun within your employer or among competing companies. Imagine the Instagram Reels, TikToks and Facebook videos you can capture and share with colleagues, family, and friends. (After all, every team needs its own cheering fans.)
Stay Tuned: The Walk & Ride Challenge website will be up soon, where you can register your team and log your steps. All downtown Bethesda-based companies and their employees are eligible to participate. Check the BTS website and our September newsletter for details.
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MCDOT News
- Ride On bus $1 fare collection resumed August 1. Watch a video about it here.
- Going to the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair? Stop by the MCDOT booth for information and reflective gear! Fair website is here.
- Bicycle Donation Drive will take place in October. See details here.
New Mural Added to Parking Garage at Woodmont Avenue
County Accepting Applications for the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board
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