Pretax commuter benefits for back-of-house restaurant staff
Back-of-house (BOH) restaurant staff (line cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, expediters) can use Alice to pay for the bus, train, subway, or parking with pretax dollars. The federal, state, and FICA tax they would have paid on those dollars stays in their paycheck, with no up-front employer cost.
What BOH employees get
Every eligible BOH employee gets Alice Card, a Visa commercial credit card. Employees use it at fare gates, rail ticket machines, bus fareboxes, garages, lots, meters, and parking apps. The IRS 2026 limits are $340 per month for transit and $340 per month for qualified parking under Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
The mobile app and support communications are available in Spanish. Employees can text or call (888) 431-4355 or email support@thisisalice.com.
Uber and Lyft rides are not eligible, except for qualifying vanpools.
How BOH payroll connections work
Alice connects to 30+ payroll providers, including connections to ADP, UKG, Paylocity, Paycom, Paychex, Toast, and others. BOH staff are usually paid hourly on the same payroll instance as FOH, so the same connection covers everyone. The deduction reduces taxable wages and the employee sees the benefit on their next paycheck.
Setup speed
Setup starts with one call. Once payroll is connected, the rollout to BOH staff happens through onboarding flows on their phone, in English or Spanish.
How much BOH staff actually save
A line cook commuting by train and paying for parking on shift days typically saves about 20% on those dollars. Actual savings depend on their tax situation. We label that as cash back during enrollment so the value is clear without requiring tax fluency.
FAQs for BOH staff
Do I need a Social Security number to use Alice?
Eligibility follows employment eligibility. If you are on payroll as a W-2 employee, you are eligible.
Is there a credit check?
No. Alice Card is issued to enrolled employees through the employer's program. There is no personal credit pull.
What if I do not speak English?
The app and support are available in Spanish, and your HR team can route Spanish-language questions to Alice support.
Need help?
Talk to sales: sales@thisisalice.com or (929) 552-4625.
Savings shown or implied, including any reference to "cash back" or take-home pay, are illustrative. Actual savings depend on your tax rate, benefit elections, and eligible spending each pay period. "Cash back" in Alice's materials refers to the federal, state, and FICA payroll taxes you don't pay on eligible commuter spending. It is income tax you keep, not a cash payment from Alice, your employer, or any third party. Alice does not provide cash back, rebates, or any direct financial benefit in connection with the Program. Alice does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult your own tax preparer, lawyer, or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Figures shown are for the 2026 plan year and are set by the IRS. Limits are indexed annually by the IRS.
Specific benefits, election rules, and run-out periods depend on your employer's plan design. Check with your HR team or plan administrator for details.
Pretax Hero Visa Commercial Card is powered by Stripe and issued by Celtic Bank. Program funds held at Fifth Third Bank, N.A. (Member FDIC). Use of card and program is subject to the cardholder terms and related agreements presented at issuance.
Trademarks, brands, and product names referenced in this article are the property of their respective owners. References are for descriptive purposes only and do not imply endorsement. For definitive information about a third party's products or services, contact that party directly.