You know the routine from That $3 dinner with Obama may cost you hundreds in taxes.
The Obama campaign lures unsuspecting small donors into entering a contest for a nominal amount (no donation actually required), and only in the fine print discloses the “retail value” of the package.
Nowhere on the website or in the fine print does the Obama campaign alert the participant that he or she may incur several hundred dollars of taxes based on the taxable value of the package.
The latest Obama fundraising mass email is a sweepstakes to have a cup of coffee with Joe Biden. (h/t LukeHandCool)
From: Joe BidenTo: xxxxxxxxxxxSent: Saturday, July 7, 2012 11:48 AMSubject: A big problem right nowFriend –Election Day will be here in less than four months. And we’re facing a big problem right now that could directly affect the outcome that day.The Romney campaign and the Republicans raised $100 million in the month of June alone. That is a massive sum.Just wait until they start spending all that money in full force in key states we need to win.Folks, here is the simple reality: Building this campaign today is more important than it was a few days ago. We can still win even while getting outraised by these guys. But we’ve got to keep it close.That means none of us — not one — can wait to make a difference right now, with whatever we can afford to chip in:https://my.barackobama.com/page/m/55c142e7/6c39f1bb/25b35aaa5/137ce3a0/1596490388/VEsH/A little incentive: A donation before midnight tonight will also automatically enter you for the chance to sit down with me for a cup of coffee sometime soon. We’ll fly you out, and you can bring a guest.And really — thanks, for whatever you’re able to give today.Joe
Neither the promo landing page nor the Rules mention a several hundred dollar tax liability for each of two the $1420 packages, broken down as follows:
Round-trip First Class Airfare – $1200
Hotel – $200
Coffee and snacks for winner and guest with Vice President Joe Biden – $20
And as with other sweepstakes, there is a page to enter for free.
You may get a cup of coffee, but there is no promise that it will be a good cup of coffee:
All prizes are awarded “AS IS” and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied (including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose).
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