You win a trip to a major city in the U.S. but would you go?

Disgustedman said:
Remember, the IRS will want 33% of the prize value in taxes. If it's below $10,000 I'd do it. I'd make payments to the IRS for a few years.
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Prizes are taxed as ordinary income, and only "fair value" is taxed. So if that hotel room could be gotten for $125/night rather than the $350 being touted as prize value, you can submit it at that price. Same with tours, airfare, etc. Was on a game show and know whereof I speak.

That said, I'd be thrilled to get a trip to a major US city. Have spent time in these major US cities: NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, New Orleans, Houston, Boston, Miami, Portland, NYC and more. Had a great time in all.

I've yet to travel anywhere without meeting charming, helpful people, eating delicious food, and enjoying interesting sights.
 

I love NYC,was born and raised in it's suburbs and live about 4 hours away now.
Having said that,I wouldn't be caught dead there,if the news is to be believed,it's terrible,these no bail laws have destroyed it!
Heart- breaking as it's food,culture and nightlife are second to none.
 
StarSong said:
Prizes are taxed as ordinary income, and only "fair value" is taxed. So if that hotel room could be gotten for $125/night rather than the $350 being touted as prize value, you can submit it at that price. Same with tours, airfare, etc. Was on a game show and know whereof I speak.

That said, I'd be thrilled to get a trip to a major US city. Have spent time in these major US cities: NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, New Orleans, Houston, Boston, Miami, Portland, NYC and more. Had a great time in all.

I've yet to travel anywhere without meeting charming, helpful people, eating delicious food, and enjoying interesting sights.
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That's an interesting difference between America and Canada. In Canada you win a prize, lottery or gambling proceeds and you keep it all - no tax implications. If a Canadian wins something while in the US, we have to give the IRS their cut of the winnings just like any US citizen would.

I wonder if a US citizen wins a prize/lottery in Canada whether they have to pay any tax to the IRS upon return to the States?
 
MrPants said:
That's an interesting difference between America and Canada. In Canada you win a prize, lottery or gambling proceeds and you keep it all - no tax implications. If a Canadian wins something while in the US, we have to give the IRS their cut of the winnings just like any US citizen would.

I wonder if a US citizen wins a prize/lottery in Canada whether they have to pay any tax to the IRS upon return to the States?
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Probably would have to pay taxes.

Prizes are considered earnings by the IRS. Their reasoning: you have to do something in order to get the prize, whether that's purchasing a ticket, going on a game show, entering a contest, and so forth. Therefore you earned it.

Inheritances are generally not taxed.
 
StarSong said:
Probably would have to pay taxes.

Prizes are considered earnings by the IRS. Their reasoning: you have to do something in order to get the prize, whether that's purchasing a ticket, going on a game show, entering a contest, and so forth. Therefore you earned it.

Inheritances are generally not taxed.
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conversely in the UK every penny of Prize money is ours... which tbh, makes a change from the grubby grasping hands of the taxman here who likes to syphon off as much as he can wherever possible..
 
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I occasionally visit San Francisco, a 55 mile drive north. Mostly as exercise to urban street walk as is endlessly fascinating with lots of people in a unique World class natural visual environment. Most of the kind of things tourists do in large cities are not activities I dream about or are familiar with. About the only cultural activities I otherwise occasionally participate in up in SF are music concerts/festivals and sporting events.

I could become interested if I studied what cities offered, for instance museums, but have never done so. Am not a restaurant enthusiast, nor one that visit alcohol bars and clubs, nor a retail shopper, nor someone that seeks luxury lodging and their amenities, nor one that engages in usual expensive tourist activities like guided bus tours. My interests are in the natural world.
 
The Princess Margaret cancer hospital here in Toronto runs 2 major lotteries each year. The major prizes are 5 fully furnished and land scaped homes. The biggest prize this winter is a 8 million dollar luxury home in Oakville, just west of Toronto, and part of the prize package is a 3 week trip to Hawaii, and $500,000 in cash and a brand new Jaguar electric car. The winner opted to take all cash, not wanting to go to Hawaii. Many of the lesser prizes also include US travel , and many of the winners opt to take the cash, instead. Any winnings in Canada are tax free to the winners. In order to buy the lottery tickets you MUST be a Permanent LEGAL Resident of Canada, so Americans cannot buy lottery tickets in Canada. JimB.
 
jimintoronto said:
The Princess Margaret cancer hospital here in Toronto runs 2 major lotteries each year. The major prizes are 5 fully furnished and land scaped homes. The biggest prize this winter is a 8 million dollar luxury home in Oakville, just west of Toronto, and part of the prize package is a 3 week trip to Hawaii, and $500,000 in cash and a brand new Jaguar electric car. The winner opted to take all cash, not wanting to go to Hawaii. Many of the lesser prizes also include US travel , and many of the winners opt to take the cash, instead. Any winnings in Canada are tax free to the winners. In order to buy the lottery tickets you MUST be a Permanent LEGAL Resident of Canada, so Americans cannot buy lottery tickets in Canada. JimB.
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WoW!! do they ask for your passport when you buy a lottery ticket ?...:oops:

In the UK and Europe anyone can buy lottery tickets or in fact win on the lottery. The only stipulation is that you must be here in the UK when you buy the tickets, and here when you claim the prize !
 
jimintoronto said:
The Princess Margaret cancer hospital here in Toronto runs 2 major lotteries each year. The major prizes are 5 fully furnished and land scaped homes. The biggest prize this winter is a 8 million dollar luxury home in Oakville, just west of Toronto, and part of the prize package is a 3 week trip to Hawaii, and $500,000 in cash and a brand new Jaguar electric car. The winner opted to take all cash, not wanting to go to Hawaii. Many of the lesser prizes also include US travel , and many of the winners opt to take the cash, instead. Any winnings in Canada are tax free to the winners. In order to buy the lottery tickets you MUST be a Permanent LEGAL Resident of Canada, so Americans cannot buy lottery tickets in Canada. JimB.
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It would be anyone not a legal resident of Canada, so all foreigners would be excluded, not just Americans, but as is your wont, you single us out in a negative way. (Nyah, nyah... you Americans can't play.)

We have plenty of lotteries of our own. Don't need Canadian versions.

Similar lotteries are run in the US by various hospitals and charities, including Special Olympics. Of course the big downside to winning these are property taxes, utility costs, and general upkeep. Most winners choose cash awards in lieu of homes and travel to places they didn't have any particular interest in going.

Don't know why you are so anti-American, but many of your posts either outright criticize or include thinly veiled shots at the US.

For the record, Canada is also far from perfect. My sister in Mississauga has familiarized me with Canadian shortcomings, but when Canada comes up in conversation - including on SF - I mind my manners and speak only of the many positives of our beloved neighbor to the north.
 
StarSong said:
It would be anyone not a legal resident of Canada, so all foreigners would be excluded, not just Americans, but as is your wont, you single us out in a negative way. (Nyah, nyah... you Americans can't play.)

We have plenty of lotteries of our own. Don't need Canadian versions.

Similar lotteries are run in the US by various hospitals and charities, including Special Olympics. Of course the big downside to winning these are property taxes, utility costs, and general upkeep. Most winners choose cash awards in lieu of homes and travel to places they didn't have any particular interest in going.

Don't know why you are so anti-American, but many of your posts either outright criticize or include thinly veiled shots at the US.

For the record, Canada is also far from perfect. My sister in Mississauga has familiarized me with Canadian shortcomings, but when Canada comes up in conversation - including on SF - I mind my manners and speak only of the many positives of our beloved neighbor to the north.
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Facts. Was there anything in my post that was not factual ? I think you are looking for a fight. Pointing out facts is "Anti American " ? There are American stand up comedians who make a living pointing out the problems in your country. Lots to work with there, right ? JimB.
 
jimintoronto said:
Facts. Was there anything in my post that was not factual ? I think you are looking for a fight. Pointing out facts is "Anti American " ? There are American stand up comedians who make a living pointing out the problems in your country. Lots to work with there, right ? JimB.
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I'm not looking for a fight. Merely pointing out that you apparently have an axe to grind with the US.

For the record, you're neither a comedian nor are your remarks about US problems meant to be amusing. On the contrary, they're intended to be critical and hurtful.

SF members generally try to not stomp on other countries' flags or their citizens' feelings. I can't be the only American on this thread who wishes you would do the same.
 
hollydolly said:
WoW!! do they ask for your passport when you buy a lottery ticket ?...:oops:

In the UK and Europe anyone can buy lottery tickets or in fact win on the lottery. The only stipulation is that you must be here in the UK when you buy the tickets, and here when you claim the prize !
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The initial post made was regarding one specific lottery - The Princess Margaret Hospital Lottery. This is a regional lottery run by the Princess Margaret Hospital Lottery Corp. Ticket sales are made online primarily. Here's what they say about who can participate:

"CAN SOMEONE WHO LIVES OUTSIDE ONTARIO OR OVERSEAS BUY A TICKET?

The lottery is intended for Ontario residents. Ticket buyers must be in Ontario at the time of order and provide an Ontario mailing address."

Doesn't specifically say international citizens can't participate. Not sure what happens if a non-resident won a prize. Probably wouldn't happen as this lottery is only marketed in Ontario, Canada.

In terms of other more general Canadian lotteries, anyone can play and if a non-Canadian citizen wins, they pay NO tax to Canada's Revenue authorities. They may be liable to paying taxes in their home country depending on laws where they live.
 
StarSong said:
I'm not looking for a fight. Merely pointing out that you apparently have an axe to grind with the US.

For the record, you're neither a comedian nor are your remarks about US problems meant to be amusing. On the contrary, they're intended to be critical and hurtful.

SF members generally try to not stomp on other countries' flags or their citizens' feelings. I can't be the only American on this thread who wishes you would do the same.
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SF members try not to stomp on other countries flags >....Obviously you have missed the numerous anti Mexican posts here about illegal migrants, and how "Some people " would treat them. I will point out that some Americans who live near the southern border are joining "Armed militias " who go out and patrol , looking for illegals. What does that say about them ? JimB.
 
MrPants said:
The initial post made was regarding one specific lottery - The Princess Margaret Hospital Lottery. This is a regional lottery run by the Princess Margaret Hospital Lottery Corp. Ticket sales are made online primarily. Here's what they say about who can participate:

"CAN SOMEONE WHO LIVES OUTSIDE ONTARIO OR OVERSEAS BUY A TICKET?

The lottery is intended for Ontario residents. Ticket buyers must be in Ontario at the time of order and provide an Ontario mailing address."

Doesn't specifically say international citizens can't participate. Not sure what happens if a non-resident won a prize. Probably wouldn't happen as this lottery is only marketed in Ontario, Canada.

In terms of other more general Canadian lotteries, anyone can play and if a non-Canadian citizen wins, they pay NO tax to Canada's Revenue authorities. They may be liable to paying taxes in their home country depending on laws where they live.
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Thanks for making that clearer Mr Pants... (y)
 
StarSong said:
It would be anyone not a legal resident of Canada, so all foreigners would be excluded, not just Americans, but as is your wont, you single us out in a negative way. (Nyah, nyah... you Americans can't play.)

We have plenty of lotteries of our own. Don't need Canadian versions.

Similar lotteries are run in the US by various hospitals and charities, including Special Olympics. Of course the big downside to winning these are property taxes, utility costs, and general upkeep. Most winners choose cash awards in lieu of homes and travel to places they didn't have any particular interest in going.

Don't know why you are so anti-American, but many of your posts either outright criticize or include thinly veiled shots at the US.

For the record, Canada is also far from perfect. My sister in Mississauga has familiarized me with Canadian shortcomings, but when Canada comes up in conversation - including on SF - I mind my manners and speak only of the many positives of our beloved neighbor to the north.
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@MrPants wondered about US citizens paying taxes on Canadian winnings. I thought @jimintoronto 's post was in response to that.
 
jimintoronto said:
SF members try not to stomp on other countries flags >....Obviously you have missed the numerous anti Mexican posts here about illegal migrants, and how "Some people " would treat them. I will point out that some Americans who live near the southern border are joining "Armed militias " who go out and patrol , looking for illegals. What does that say about them ? JimB.
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You think that's a good template to follow?
 
StarSong said:
SF members generally try to not stomp on other countries' flags or their citizens' feelings. I can't be the only American on this thread who wishes you would do the same.
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jimintoronto said:
I will point out that some Americans who live near the southern border are joining "Armed militias " who go out and patrol , looking for illegals. What does that say about them ? JimB.
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Get over yerself, Jim
Yer making yer country look bad
How many illegal drug cartels would you care to share?
 
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Big cities don't do it for me. I have been to 18 countries, 48 US states, 6 Canadian provinces, 8 Mexican states, 3 Australian states, plus some places that are not countries, like Gibraltar, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands which are British. There were also French, Dutch and independent islands.
I would rather visit a National Park.
 
horseless carriage said:
You can have my ticket. My wife and I have been to the US many times. Then, about twenty years ago an incident occurred that had us heading home, never to return.
A car thief had pulled a driver out from his car, jumped in and drove off. The victim did no more than pull a hand gun out from his pocket or holster, took aim and shot the thief. It didn't kill him, only winged him, but it did caused him to lose control and go under the wheels of of an eighteen wheeler truck, that killed him.
The event itself I didn't see, but I couldn't help but get caught up in the ensuing crowd that gathered. It was there that some follow told me the run of events. I didn't know what to say, i just said, "really," or maybe I said: "incredible." The fellow said, "you are British!" suddenly all the shooting was forgotten, here was a British guy!
What spooked me was, the thief being shot, was seen as street justice. In the seventy-six years that I have lived in the UK I have never seen a gun, except when we went on a couple of weeks leave to the Spanish Costas where the police all carry sidearms.
That incident had us talking on the plane home, we didn't actually say it but it has been a given that although we loved America and Americans, their gun culture just wasn't worth the risk.
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We were born and grew up in the US then in 1969 we immigrated to Canada became citizens as soon as possible in 1975. Went back a couple of times to see family, but we will never go back, and it is because of the gun culture. No other country in the world has almost daily mass shootings!
 

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