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Pre-Tax Transit Incentives:
Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate in this program?
All UCSF employees who have an employee identification number may participate in the pre-tax programs.

What is an allowable pre-tax transit expense?
Allowable expenses include any pass, token, voucher or similar item that entitles a person to transportation on any mass transit facility (such as train, bus, subway or ferry), provided by any person or public agency in the business of transporting persons for compensation of hire, or, if such transportation is provided in a highway vehicle with a seating capacity of at least six adults (excluding the driver).

What is an allowable pre-tax non-UCSF vanpool expense?
Qualified vanpool expenses include any highway vehicle for which the seating capacity is at least 6 adults (not including the driver), AND at least 80 percent of the mileage use is: 1. for purposes of transporting employees in connection with travel between their residences and their place of employment, and 2. on trips during which the number of employees transported for such purposes is at least 1/2 of the adult seating capacity of such vehicle (not including the driver). The campus already has pre-tax savings programs for employees who are members of UCSF-controlled vanpool and parking services. The new pre-tax non-UCSF vanpool program is for employees who participate in non-UCSF controlled vanpool programs, such as Vanpool Systems, Incorporated (VPSI).

What is an allowable pre-tax non-UCSF parking expense?
Qualified parking expenses include parking at or near your work location or at a location from which you commute to work by carpool. The campus already has pre-tax savings programs for employees who are members of UCSF-controlled parking services. The new pre-tax non-UCSF parking program is for employees who park at non-UCSF controlled parking facilities, such as 44 Montgomery Street, San Francisco General Hospital or China Basin Landing.

How do I enroll in a pre-tax program?
Complete the following Pre-Tax Enrollment Form and return it to UCSF Transportation Services, Box 0299, or fax it to (415) 476-0499.

Pre-Tax Enrollment Form

When does my payroll deduction begin?
Your payroll deduction start date depends on when you submit your enrollment form. If you submit your enrollment form by the 15th of the month your deduction will usually begin on your next paycheck dated the first of the following month. Payroll deductions are facilitated in accordance with payroll dates established by the campus and according to your established pay schedule. Thus, your payroll deduction sign-up date may not ensure that your payroll deduction is established on your next pay cycle.

Why do I have to pay a monthly fee of $3.39?
The University uses an outside vendor (HR Simplified) to administer its pre-tax transit program, at a monthly fee of $3.39 for each participant. This fee is deducted from your paycheck, after taxes are taken out, and sent to HR Simplified to pay for this pre-tax transit program. All pre-tax programs administered by UCSF Transportation Services incur an administrative fee that is passed along to the participants.

How does the vendor (HR Simplified) verify my transit, vanpool and/or parking purchases?
The vendor will not verify your expenses on a routine basis, although the vendor may randomly audit your expenses by requesting proof of your purchases. Such proof shall include bills, invoices, statements from third party transit vendors, used passes, receipts, or other evidence of payment showing your expenses. If the vendor is unable to provide a receipt or other verification, then employee certification will suffice. It is your obligation to maintain proper documentation to verify that your transit, vanpool and/or parking expenses are excludable from your gross income for federal, state and local income tax purposes, and to notify the University if you have any reason to believe that such expenses are not excludable.

Are bridge tolls an allowable pre-tax transit deduction?
No. The Pre-Tax Transit Program is for public transit costs only. Bridge tolls are not paid when using public transit. Therefore, they are not an allowable pre-tax deduction.

How do I cancel or change my pre-tax deduction amount?
You can cancel or change your pre-tax deduction by completing a Pre-Tax Enrollment Form and faxing it to our office at 476-0499. Please contact the Transportation Office at 476-1511 for help with the form.

Pre-Tax Enrollment Form

What is the maximum period that the vendor will hold my funds without me requesting reimbursement?
You must request reimbursement at least once every six months. After six months you will be required to provide a written explanation as to why you have not requested reimbursement and your payroll deductions may be canceled.

How do I submit a claim for reimbursement?
Submit a claim to HR Simplified Online at:
- Online: www.hrsimplified.com

Can I participate in more than one UCSF pre-tax deduction program?
Yes. You can participate in multiple pre-tax programs as long as you do not exceed the allowable deduction limits. If you want to sign up for Parking Pre-Tax and Transit/Rideshare Pre-Tax you must fill out two forms, one for parking and one for Transit/Rideshare Pretax.

What is the maximum pre-tax deduction?
The maximum monthly deduction for pre-tax parking is $215. The maximum monthly combined deduction pre-tax transit and vanpool is $110 per month.