COVID–19 Commuter Benefits Distribution Act

This legislative proposal, titled the "COVID-19 Commuter Benefits Distribution Act," authorizes a one-time distribution of funds from specified transportation fringe benefit accounts. These payments are made directly to employees and will be includible in the employee's gross income for the taxable year in which they are received. This measure aims to provide individuals with a way to access commuter benefits that may have accumulated during periods of reduced commuting. A "qualified payment" is defined as a single distribution made within a six-month period following the bill's enactment. The amount of this payment is capped at the highest balance held in the employee's account between March 13, 2020, and December 31, 2023. This provision specifically targets accounts where employers set aside funds under a compensation reduction agreement for qualified transportation fringes, allowing unused amounts to be carried forward to succeeding months.