The IRS released the following 2012 cost of living adjustments (COLAs) pertaining to these benefits:
Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits: For 2012, the monthly limit on the amount to be excluded from an employee's income for qualified parking benefits will be $240, a $10 increase from the 2011 limit. However, the temporary increase in the combined monthly limit for transit passes and commuter highway vehicle expenses that was in effect for 2011 has expired. Unless the increase is reinstated, the combined monthly limit for transit passes and commuter highway vehicle expenses reverts to $125 in 2012.
Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAPs): The $5,000/$2,500 DCAP limit remains unchanged as it is a non-indexed limit.
Archer MSAs: Although new Archer MSAs cannot be established after 2007, if a plan continues to administer such accounts the parameters for Archer MSA-compatible high deductible health coverage have increased. For self-only coverage, the annual deductible must not be less than $2,100 (up $50 from 2011), or more than $3,150 (up from $100 from 2011) with an out-of-pocket maximum of $4,200 (up $100 from 2011). For family coverage, the annual deductible must not be less than $4,200 (up from $100 from 2011), or more than $6,300 (up from $150 from 2011) with an out-of-pocket maximum of $7,650 (up from $150 from 2011).
