Parking Account

A Parking Account allows you to pay for eligible work-related expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Account Benefits

• Pre-tax contributions reduce your taxable income.
• The easiest way to pay for eligible parking expenses with tax-free money.
• Your Parking Account funds become available to you as payroll deductions are taken.
• Eligible for unlimited carryover, so there is minimal “use-it-or-lose-it” risk.
• You can enroll or make changes to your account at any time during the plan year.

Visit the Optum Financial microsite to view resources, and access the member portal. Use the member portal or Optum Financial app to manage your account 24/7.

• Your monthly contribution is deducted pre-tax from your paycheck in equal amounts throughout the plan year and deposited into your Parking Account.
• You can easily submit requests for reimbursement through your Optum Financial online account.
• Note: If you park at your place of employment, your deductions may already be taken pre-tax. These deductions are not reimbursable through this program. Parking funds may be accessed via the payment card and manual claims submission.

All active state employees, including limited-term employees, are eligible to participate in a Parking Account.

Ineligible:

• Spouses and dependent children.
• If you park at your place of employment, your deductions may already be taken pre-tax. These deductions are not reimbursable through this program.

Expenses:

• For 2023 benefit period, you must incur all eligible expenses by December 31, 2023.
• For 2024 benefit period, you must incur all eligible expenses by December 31, 2024.

Claims:

• For 2023 benefit period, you must submit all reimbursement requests by March 31, 2024.
• For 2024 benefit period, you must submit all reimbursement requests by March 31, 2025.

Review all claims and provide any required substantiation by December 31 each year. 

An eligible expense is a work-related transportation fee for parking that the IRS states can be paid for without taxes. Eligible parking expenses must take place at or near your place of employment or at a location from where you commute to work. Eligible expenses include:

• Metered parking
• Monthly and/or daily parking fees for parking lots and/or ramps
• Park and ride lots
• Parking at a mass transit facility

If you park at your place of employment, your deductions may already be taken pre-tax. These deductions are not eligible.

Above is a partial list of eligible expenses that are reimbursable through a Parking Account. For more information, see the commuter benefits overview. For the complete list of eligible and ineligible expenses, visit www.IRS.gov and see IRS Publication 5137.

Tracking Eligible Expenses

You should keep all your receipts and pertinent documentation to prove your Parking Account was used for eligible parking expenses. If you pay for anything other than eligible expenses with your Parking Account, the amount will be taxable, and you will be required to repay the amount or pay an additional tax penalty.

To ensure accounts are being engaged with each year, ETF has set a minimum annual contribution and account balance for certain pre-tax savings accounts.

Learn how to enroll in a pre-tax saving account during open enrollment, as a new hire, or when you have experienced a qualifying life event.

You will receive a welcome brochure in the mail from Optum Financial.