Parking refund policy, tax benefits revised

University employees who pay for parking through pre-tax payroll deduction will no longer be eligible for refunds if they cancel their permits, according to new guidelines from Transportation Services.

The policy change is based on proposed IRS rules and will mainly affect employees who cancel their parking permits at the end of the academic year, says Rachel Martin, coordinator of the university’s Transportation Demand Management program.

Madison Metro monthly or commuter passes are already non-refundable and not affected by the new rule.

In other changes from Transportation Services, faculty and staff participating in the flex parking program will no longer receive pre-tax benefits when paying through payroll deduction, Martin says. This rule revision is also based on proposed changes to IRS guidelines.

To receive or be eligible for flex parking — which allows employees to drive to campus less than five days a week — faculty and staff either must pay up front or sign a waiver declining pre-tax benefits through payroll deduction.

Faculty and staff are scheduled to receive parking lot assignments in early August.