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SmartBenefits

SmartBenefits allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck and apply it to your WMATA SmarTrip card to pay for work-related commuting expenses including Metrorail, Metrobus, and Metro parking.  Due to IRS regulations, we do not process refunds for SmartBenefits even if you leave the area. You may elect payroll deductions in increments of $10 with a minimum of $40 up to the current IRS maximum per month of $315 Transit in 2024 and $315 Metro Parking in 2024.  Visit the fares section of the WMATA site to estimate your cost. Contact WMATA with questions about your trips and parking.

Visit How to Use SmartBenefits and the Smart Benefits FAQs on the WMATA site for more information, or contact [email protected] with any questions about SmartBenefits.

SmartBenefits Enrollment, Changes, and Termination

Metro’s SmartBenefits program has taken steps to comply with the IRS requirement to separate parking and transit benefits to restrict comingled use.  To satisfy these requirements, transit, parking and personal stored value are segregated in electronic 'purses' on your SmarTrip® card. (See Revenue Ruling 2006-57, 2006-2 C.B. 911 and Internal Revenue Code § 132(a)(5) and 132(f).).  Funds will not be transferable from one purse to another. Transit benefits will not pay for parking and parking benefits will not pay for transit nor will funds be able to transfer to the personal stored value purse. The personal stored value purse allows you to load additional amounts to cover either transit or parking. Transit and parking payments will be deducted from your transit and parking benefits purses first. If and when those funds are exhausted, payment will be deducted from the stored value purse.  

1.  Personal Stored Value

  • Use for transit or parking. Use personal funds to add value.
  • Cannot transfer value to transit or parking purse.
  • View balance at Farecards & Passes machine, or online SmarTrip® account.
  • $300 maximum balance.

2.  Transit Funds

  • Used first.
  • Employer assigns funds.
  • Cannot be used for parking.
  • Cannot be transferred to parking or stored value.
  • View balance at faregate, farebox, online SmarTrip® account.

3.  Parking

  • Used first.
  • Metro parking only.
  • Employer assigns funds.
  • Cannot transfer to transit or stored value.
  • View balance at parking target or online SmarTrip® account.

We also offer SelectPass as a SmartBenefits option. You can elect payroll deductions to purchase a SelectPass which allows you to ride Metrorail for one low monthly price for all of your regular commuting trips.  Transit plus Select Pass amounts must not exceed $315.

SelectPass can be purchased with your SmartBenefits through WMATA manually each month on or after the 1st of the month, or you can select auto reload to automatically receive a new pass when the old pass expires. For more information on SelectPass and to determine if it is right for you, please refer to the Pass Options and the SB Transit Pass Benefit Overview on the WMATA website.  Visit the Monthly Pass FAQs for helpful questions and answers.

You can use the SmartBenefits program if you use area providers that do not currently accept the SmarTrip card, such as:

  • MetroAccess
  • Virginia Railway Express (VRE)
  • MARC Train Service
  • MTA for providers such as MetroAccess
  • Virginia Railway Express (VRE)
  • MARC Train Service
  • MTA Commuter buses (Eyre, Dillon's, & Keller). 

You may allocate your SmartBenefits to a personal account through Commuter Direct or Maryland Transit Authority (MTA). You are responsible for contacting the provider to set up this form of transit.  SelectPass can't be used to purchase tickets on MARC train.

Learn more about allocating funds at the WMATA Employer Fare Program (SmartBenefits) site.