Technical Information Release  TIR 19-16: Massachusetts Exclusion Amounts for Employer-Provided Parking, Transit Pass and Commuter Highway Vehicle Benefits for Taxable Years Beginning in 2020

Date:	11/25/2019
Referenced Sources:	Massachusetts General Laws

I. Introduction

This Technical Information Release (“TIR”) explains the 2020 Massachusetts personal income tax exclusion amounts for employer-provided parking, transit pass and commuter highway vehicle benefits allowed to employees.

For taxable years beginning in 2020, the federal monthly exclusion amounts are $270 for employer-provided parking and $270 for transit pass and commuter highway vehicle benefits combined.^[1] The Massachusetts monthly exclusion amounts are $270 for employer-provided parking and $140 for combined transit pass and commuter highway vehicle transportation benefits, as further explained below.^[2]

II. Discussion

In general, for purposes of determining Massachusetts gross income, the Massachusetts personal income tax laws follow the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) as amended and in effect on January 1, 2005.  Accordingly, Massachusetts follows IRC § 132(f) as amended and in effect on January 1, 2005, which excludes from an employee’s gross income employer-provided parking, transit pass and commuter highway vehicle transportation benefits, subject to a monthly maximum.^[3] IRC § 132(f)(6) provides for an inflation adjustment to those monthly maximums in the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 1999. Taking into account these inflation adjustments, the Massachusetts monthly exclusion amounts for taxable years beginning in 2020 are $270 for employer-provided parking and $140 for combined transit pass and commuter highway vehicle transportation benefits. The Massachusetts exclusion amount for combined transit pass and commuter highway vehicle transportation benefits does not include the increase in the federal exclusion amount for such benefits that was signed into law on December 18, 2015.^[4] Massachusetts does not follow this amendment, and will not follow any future amendments to IRC §132(f), unless the Massachusetts Legislature acts to adopt such changes. 

                                                                                    /s/Christopher C. Harding
                                                                                    Christopher C. Harding
                                                                                    Commissioner of Revenue
CCH:RHF:wem

November 25, 2019

TIR 19-16

[1] See IRS Revenue Procedure 2019-44.

[2] Transit pass and commuter highway vehicle transportation benefits are combined for purposes of sharing the $140 maximum monthly exclusion.  For example, if an employee receives a $100 monthly transit pass and a $100 monthly commuter highway vehicle transportation benefit, the $60 excess would be includable in the employee’s wages for income and employment tax purposes.

[3] Massachusetts does not adopt the federal qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.  See IRC 132(f)(1)(D), effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2008 and added by the federal Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343).

[4] See H.R. 2029 – 114th Congress (2015-2016): Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, Division Q, § 105.