Alternative Fuel Tax Credit is Also Renewed for Two Years (2015-2016) by the House
With the passage of the tax legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives today, the commuter benefit for public transportation riders is one step closer to receiving permanent parity with the parking benefit. If the Senate votes for the tax extension bill, then users of the public transit commuter benefit and the parking benefit will receive the same monthly maximum of $255 starting next year. (This year the maximum monthly amount allowed for the commuter benefit was $130, while the maximum monthly level for the parking benefit was $250.)
“This is a terrific moment for the millions of Americans who use public transportation and for the public transportation industry,” said Valarie J. McCall, American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Chair and board member of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. “The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that will ensure that the U.S. tax code will be consistent for both public transit riders and those individuals who use the parking benefit. We look forward to its passage in the Senate.”
“Permanent parity with the parking benefit has been a long time coming,” said APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy. “Assuming the tax extension legislation also passes in the Senate, federal tax law will no longer favor driving and parking over public transportation. It is sound policy that will promote greater usage of public transit.
“In addition, we are pleased that the Alternative Fuels Tax Credit has been extended through 2016,” said Melaniphy. This will help the many public transportation systems across the country who use alternative fuel to provide safe, reliable and clean public transit services. It will also encourage additional public transit agencies to use alternative fuels.”
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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 public and private sector organizations, engaged in the areas of bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail. This includes: transit systems; planning, design, construction, and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; transit associations and state departments of transportation. APTA is the only association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical transit services and products. More than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the United States and Canada ride APTA member systems.
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