Taxes on the Emmy Goody Bags

[gini]

They gave out goody bags to the presenters of the Emmy Awards. The IRS
wants their share in taxes.

Some of the stars turned the gifts down because of the taxes.
Some took the gifts and will pay the taxes.
Some said - "find me" and prove I accepted gifts.

Any opinions?

I was wondering why there are taxes on these gifts in the first place?

[Lady's Human]

There are taxes on gifts over $10,000.

I really don't think the stars want to get into a battle with the IRS, somehow I don't think they'd come out on the winning side.

[gini]

One of the stars said "let's face it, there are only a few things in those bags that you would actually use, so why take it at all and have to pay taxes on it."

I understand that the contents are valued at around $30,000.

[moosmom]

Those people who are filthy stinking rich should donate the contents of the goody bags to people who TRULY need it. Or selling them on E-bay and donating the proceeds to worthy causes in THE UNITED STATES!! Not Africa or some third world country, but here in the good ole USofA. I am so tired of Hollywood these days. People who have tons of money, changing partners as often as I change underwear, glorifying having babies without the benefit of marriage. Makes me sick to think that some think of them as role models.

Sorry to rant. I'll get off my soapbox now.

[lady_zana]

It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they cut out the gift bags all together. I don't understand - why give rich people even more expensive toys? I know, I know, the companies think if the stars are seen using their cell phone, MP3 player, whatever, then the "little" people will want to buy it too. Personally, it makes me want to use that company less.

When I was younger, I couldn't wait to be that rich! (but by the way, I'm still waiting ) Now, whenever I see things like "The Fabulous Life of..." on VH1, I get so angry and sad. All that money, which could be used in so many wonderful ways, just going to waste. They had "The Fabulous Life of Celebrity Religion" on the other day and it was showing the millions of dollars some celebrities were spending on different colored jeweled crosses so they wold have one to match whatever color outfit they were wearing. I know I'm not an expert on the Bible, but does anyone remember a passage where Jesus says if you can't come into Heaven if your shirt is green but you're wearing a yellow cross?

I don't know....there are so many people going hungry, so many animals who need homes, so much abuse going on, and then there are celebrities complaining that their gift bags are going to be taxed. Callous as it might be, I don't think I'll be losing much sleep over their plight.

[Lady's Human]

but does anyone remember a passage where Jesus says if you can't come into Heaven if your shirt is green but you're wearing a yellow cross?

Lady Z, I'm still looking for that one, as well as a few others.

[gini]

Those people who are filthy stinking rich should donate the contents of the goody bags to people who TRULY need it. Or selling them on E-bay and donating the proceeds to worthy causes in THE UNITED STATES!! Not Africa or some third world country, but here in the good ole USofA. I am so tired of Hollywood these days. People who have tons of money, changing partners as often as I change underwear, glorifying having babies without the benefit of marriage. Makes me sick to think that some think of them as role models.

Sorry to rant. I'll get off my soapbox now.

Oh come on now Donna! Tell us how you really feel

[RICHARD]

I'm not an expert on the Bible, but does anyone remember a passage where Jesus says if you can't come into Heaven if your shirt is green but you're wearing a yellow cross?

It's in the book of CHRISTian Dior..
Chapter one, Verse one.

[Pam]

Those people who are filthy stinking rich should donate the contents of the goody bags to people who TRULY need it. Or selling them on E-bay and donating the proceeds to worthy causes in THE UNITED STATES!! Not Africa or some third world country, but here in the good ole USofA. I am so tired of Hollywood these days. People who have tons of money, changing partners as often as I change underwear, glorifying having babies without the benefit of marriage. Makes me sick to think that some think of them as role models.

Sorry to rant. I'll get off my soapbox now.

I agree with you 110% Donna! I don't even watch the Emmys. I guess it's because I don't even watch regular TV any more. If it wasn't for TLC, HGTV, Discovery Health and Animal Planet I wouldn't even need a TV.

There is a terrific song by Brad Paisley that deals with this. It's called Celebrity and here it is -

Someday I'm gonna be famous, do I have talent, well no
These days you don't really need it thanks to reality shows
Can't wait to date a supermodel, can't wait to sue my dad
Can't wait to wreck a Ferrari on my way to rehab

1st Chorus
'Cause when you're a celebrity
It's adios reality
You can act just like a fool
People think you're cool
Just 'cause you're on TV
I can throw a major fit
When my latte isn't just how I like it
When they say I've gone insane
I'll blame it on the fame
And the pressures that go with
Being a celebrity

I'll get to cry to Barbara Walters when things don't go my way
And I'll get community service no matter which law I break
I'll make the supermarket tabloids, they'll write some awful stuff
But the more they run my name down the more my price goes up

2nd Chorus
'Cause when you're a celebrity
It's adios reality
No matter what you do
People think you're cool
Just 'cause you're on TV
I can fall in and out of love
Have marriages that barely last a month
When they go down the drain
I'll blame it on the fame
And say it's just so tough
Being a celebrity

So let's hitch up the wagons and head out west
To the land of the fun and the sun
We'll be real world bachelor jackass millionaires
Hey hey, Hollywood, here we come

3rd Chorus
'Cause when you're a celebrity
It's adios reality
No matter what you do
People think you're cool
Just 'cause you're on TV
Being a celebrity
Yeah celebrity

Sorry to post something so long, but I just love this song.

[Edwina's Secretary]

If these are goods for service, it is income dollar one. If your employer gives you a $25.00 gift certificate for doing a good job...that is taxable income. Technically, if your employer gives you McDonald gift certificates, that is income and should be taxed.

Why should they be any different?

[mugsy]

I know a lot of people who get $25 gift certificates and they donate them to people who need them more than they do...why should celebrities be any different?

I too am sick to death of the whining and crying of the celebrities who have millions and they whine about no privacy, etc...well guess what? YOU wanted to become famous, so DEAL WITH IT!

[moosmom]

AMEN Mugsy!!!

[mugsy]

AMEN Mugsy!!!

Thanks honey!!

[JenBKR]

It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they cut out the gift bags all together. I don't understand - why give rich people even more expensive toys? I know, I know, the companies think if the stars are seen using their cell phone, MP3 player, whatever, then the "little" people will want to buy it too. Personally, it makes me want to use that company less.

When I was younger, I couldn't wait to be that rich! (but by the way, I'm still waiting ) Now, whenever I see things like "The Fabulous Life of..." on VH1, I get so angry and sad. All that money, which could be used in so many wonderful ways, just going to waste. They had "The Fabulous Life of Celebrity Religion" on the other day and it was showing the millions of dollars some celebrities were spending on different colored jeweled crosses so they wold have one to match whatever color outfit they were wearing. I know I'm not an expert on the Bible, but does anyone remember a passage where Jesus says if you can't come into Heaven if your shirt is green but you're wearing a yellow cross?

I don't know....there are so many people going hungry, so many animals who need homes, so much abuse going on, and then there are celebrities complaining that their gift bags are going to be taxed. Callous as it might be, I don't think I'll be losing much sleep over their plight.

I'll second that....times ten! What, are we supposed to feel bad for the poor celebrities who have to pay taxes? Aww, maybe we should try to raise some money to help them? What do you say guys, this could be our PT charity?