UIC Transit Benefit Program

We are pleased to introduce the Pre-Tax Qualified Transportation Program. A revision in the Internal Revenue Service Code allows benefits eligible employees to realize income tax savings by paying for commuting expenses with pre-tax dollars. In other words, your taxable income will be reduced by the amount you select to deduct monthly for "qualified transportation expenses". The IRS has set the maximum amount of expenses allowed under the program at $115.00 per month.

The UIC Pre-Tax Qualified Transportation Program will offer RTA Transit Vouchers, which may be used for transportation expenditures on RTA, CTA, Pace, South Shore Railroad and Metra. Enrolled program participants will pick up their vouchers at the Campus Parking Services Customer Service Centers on the West Side of campus in B5A SCW and on the East Side of campus in 2620 SSB, or in Student Center East (formerly CCC) Service Center First Floor.

Enrollment

The Pre-Tax Qualified Transportation is open to all Benefits Eligible Employees. Enrollment forms will be available in the Campus Parking Services Customer Service Centers located in 2620 SSB or in Student Center East(Service Center, First Floor), and in B5A SCW or 122 WSPS on the west side of campus, or may be downloaded below.

When you enroll, you must select the amount of your monthly RTA Transit Voucher from the following amounts: $30, $50, $65, $75, or $115. The amount you select will be for the calendar year. The IRS has set the maximum amount of expenses allowed under the program at $115.00 per month. With your monthly pre-tax amount selected, your payroll deduction will begin with your next payroll calculation date. Bi-weekly payroll staff will see half of the selected amount deducted from their paycheck each pay period. Vouchers are only ordered after payroll deductions equal to the value of the voucher have been taken. The ordering process usually takes two to three weeks.

Transit Benefit Application

Terminating

Should you decide to terminate your participation in this program, you must notify Campus Parking Services immediately. If a termination notice is not received before or on the termination/enrollment date, your transit voucher will still be ordered for the following month. No refunds will be available. After a termination notice has been received, please note that you are entitled to one final voucher minus deductions (bi-weekly participants only).

Transit Voucher Distribution

The RTA Transit Vouchers will be distributed in the Campus Parking Services Customer Service Centers Monday through Friday on the east side of campus in 2620 SSB (from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.) or in Student Center East Service Center First Floor (from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and the west side of campus at B5A SCW (from 8 a.m. until 4:45 p.m.) on or after the designated date each month, except during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays when your building may be closed. You will be required to present a valid university i-card and sign an acknowledgement of receipt of the voucher. After signing, acknowledging the amount, and receiving this voucher, you become solely responsible for the voucher. You are to treat this voucher as you would cash. This voucher distribution process is designed to protect you against loss as the RTA Transit Voucher is made payable to RTA and may be used like cash to purchase RTA services.

Transit Vouchers are valid for exchange where fares or passes are sold (e.g. Jewel, Dominick's, or UIC Credit Unions (Call First)).

Lost RTA Transit Vouchers

Transit Vouchers are to be treated the same as cash. If you lose your RTA Transit Voucher, you will not receive a cash refund. You will be required by RTA regulations to wait 13 months for a voucher replacement. Your voucher will not be replaced if it is cashed. Claim forms will be available through the Transit Benefit Coordinator. Upon signing and receiving your voucher, you, (or whoever picks up for you) assume full responsibility for the voucher.

Exclusive Use of Transit Vouchers

RTA Transit Vouchers are to be used for regular daily direct commute from home to work and return. You may not give, barter, exchange, convey, or otherwise transfer transit vouchers to others.

Making Changes in Program Participation

The Pre-Tax Qualified Transportation Program operates on a calendar year basis. When you elect to participate in the program, you do so for a calendar year. Beginning January 1 your selection will be in effect for a full 12 months, until December 31. During the course of that year, you may elect to terminate your participation in the program at any time.

If you elect to terminate, and decide that you would like to re-enter the program you should contact the Parking Office by November 15th. Please determine the amount you would like to have deducted from your pay as accurately as possible. You may not make changes in the amount of your monthly deduction during the calendar year, except to terminate.

For more information, please call Campus Parking Services at (312) 413-5800.

For anyone interested in enrolling in the Chicago Card Plus Program please visit http://chicago-card.com/ccplus/faq.aspx for further details.