Sen. Charles Schumer Urges Congress To Restore Full Mass Transit Tax Benefit
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Sen. Charles Schumer called on Congress on Tuesday to restore the full tax benefit to help New Yorkers who rely on mass transit.
As WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported, more than 300,000 people who take the Long Island Rail Road to work on a daily basis are no longer receiving the full benefit that saved commuters thousands of dollars every year.
Speaking at a news conference at the Mineola train station, Schumer urged federal lawmakers to reinstate the tax benefit that expired Dec. 31, 2013.
Schumer Urges Congress To Restore Full Mass Transit Tax Benefit
"If we reinstate the benefit, it's supposed to go to $250 a month," Schumer told reporters. "Here at Mineola, you know what the monthly ticket is? Two (hundred) forty-two. You get to deduct the whole cost."
Schumer said the deduction previously provided $245 per month in pre-tax savings. Mass transit commuters can now claim up to $130 a month.
People who drive to work are still eligible for the full benefit of $245.
"This discriminates against New York," Schumer said. "Why? We have more mass transit commuters than anybody. So a place like Dallas or Phoenix, where they have no mass transit, everyone gets the deduction. In New York, only the drivers get the deduction."
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