Final answer:
Transit pass costs covered by an employer for an employee's commute are typically not considered a taxable benefit, while premiums for group term life insurance and health counselling services fees usually are, unless specific exceptions apply.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which of the following payments is not a taxable benefit to employees: transit pass costs, premiums for group term life insurance, or physical health counselling services membership fees. Taxable benefits are usually included in an employee's income and are subject to taxation. However, there are some exceptions where certain benefits provided by employers are not considered taxable. For instance, contributions made by employers towards retirement and savings plans like a Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution plan may not count as taxable income to the employee at the time of contribution. Additionally, certain health benefits may also be excluded from an employee's taxable income. In this context, transit pass costs that an employer covers for an employee to commute to and from work are typically not considered a taxable benefit. Meanwhile, premiums for group term life insurance and health counselling services are usually considered taxable benefits to the employee, unless specific exceptions apply based on jurisdiction and tax rules.