lohud.com

Sponsored by:

Cycling Central

Bicycling in the Lower Hudson Valley

Cycle commuters finally win in DC

October
27

This just came across my desk from the NY Bicycle Coalition –
After seven long years, the Bicycle Commuter Tax Provision has finally passed both the House and Senate as part of the financial bailout package. President Bush has said that he is eager to sign the legislation. “We are delighted that the Bicycle Commuter Benefits Act has passed after a lengthy and persistent campaign spearheaded by Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR),” said League President Andy Clarke. “Bicycle commuters will now be extended similar benefits to people who take transit and drive to work – it’s an equitable and sensible incentive to encourage greater energy independence, improve air quality and health, and even help tackle climate change. Thanks to everyone who has helped reach this milestone, especially Walter Finch and Mele Williams, our government relations staff over the years who have worked tirelessly with Congressman Blumenauer, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and many others in Congress.”

Bicycle Commuter Tax Provision
Actual Language as Signed into Law
SEC. 211. TRANSPORTATION FRINGE BENEFIT TO BICYCLE COMMUTERS.

(a) In General- Paragraph (1) of section 132(f) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(D) Any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.’.

(b) Limitation on Exclusion- Paragraph (2) of section 132(f) is amended by striking `and’ at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting `, and’, and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

`(C) the applicable annual limitation in the case of any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.’.

(c) Definitions- Paragraph (5) of section 132(f) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(F) DEFINITIONS RELATED TO BICYCLE COMMUTING REIMBURSEMENT-

`(i) QUALIFIED BICYCLE COMMUTING REIMBURSEMENT- The term `qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement’ means, with respect to any calendar year, any employer reimbursement during the 15-month period beginning with the first day of such calendar year for reasonable expenses incurred by the employee during such calendar year for the purchase of a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if such bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment.

`(ii) APPLICABLE ANNUAL LIMITATION- The term `applicable annual limitation’ means, with respect to any employee for any calendar year, the product of $20 multiplied by the number of qualified bicycle commuting months during such year.

`(iii) QUALIFIED BICYCLE COMMUTING MONTH- The term `qualified bicycle commuting month’ means, with respect to any employee, any month during which such employee—
`(I) regularly uses the bicycle for a substantial portion of the travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment, and

`(II) does not receive any benefit described in subparagraph (A), (B), or© of paragraph (1).’.

(d) Constructive Receipt of Benefit- Paragraph (4) of section 132(f) is amended by inserting `(other than a qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement)’ after `qualified transportation fringe’.

(e) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 8:56 AM by David McKay Wilson. Print This Post Print This Post | Email This Post Email This Post

Advertisement

Leave a Reply

Advertisement
About this blog
Cycling Central is the place for cycling news and information throughout the Lower Hudson Valley including ride info, training ideas, racing news, safety tips and discussions on all things cycling. Your content contributions are critical to its success.

Subscribe

Daily Email Newsletter:



Poll
Would you support a 3-foot law in New York?
View Results




Randall Wolf Randall Wolf is Director of Photography at The Journal News/LoHud.com, and has ridden more than 80,000 miles on a bike during the past 35 years. Some of these miles include a three-week touring trip from Suburban Philadelphia to Nova Scotia and back at age 16 and a few years later a solo two-week trip to Montreal. In 1985, he photographed the first U.S.-based team in the Vuelta a Espana, a three-week professional cycling race throughout Spain. He has participated in professional teams and races throughout the U.S. including the national championship in Philadelphia, and Tour of Georgia. In the mid-90s he competed as an amateur racer throughout the Northeast. Bike commuting was his choice of transportation while working in Baltimore and Toronto. He is a ride leader and member of the Westchester Cycling Club and Rockland Bike Club, and lives in Garrison with his wife.
About the authors
Robert Brum Robert Brum, an assistant metro editor for The Journal News/LoHud.com and The Rockland Express, grew up cycling the roads of Rockland County. He now lives in Queens and rides with the Long Island Bicycle Club. Brum logs between 2,000 and 3,000 miles a year cycling throughout the Northeast.
David Schloss David Schloss is the co-founder and president of the Rockland Bicycling Club. A lifelong cyclist and self-described bicycling addict, Schloss is also a professional writer, photographer and educator, he is also the director of a group that supports photographers, which allows him to travel the globe, sneaking in rides.
Other recent entries




Recently Updated LoHud Blogs
Monthly Archives

Bad Behavior has blocked 842 access attempts in the last 7 days.