So I just got a call from my local volunteer fire department....

[OAITW r.2.0]

I won the 50/50 raffle! $590.00! I told them to keep it, but send me the acknowledgement for this year's taxes.

Made me feel good. Happy 4th everyone!

[Think. Again.]

1. ...

[ret5hd]

2. Our local Fire Department:

Yesterday afternoon you would have thought the entire town suddenly caught fire…sirens blaring near and far. I walked outside, looking to the sky expecting to see multiple plumes of smoke. I could hear a particular siren that sounded like it was on our street so i walked to the curb.

A fire truck with full lights and sirens was slowly crawling down the street. I waited…when he pulled even with me i asked what was going on.

“Collecting donations for tomorrow’s fireworks display.”

“oh”.

[2naSalit]

4. Up at the county seat...

Our only "city", there is one of several rodeos going on and they always have one during this holiday, with fireworks every night until they go away.

What gets me is that there are a lot of horses and other animals there. But then, I do see a lot of horse trailers heading out earlier so maybe they get them away from there before all the fire and noise. I am not a fan of fireworks.

[DENVERPOPS]

16. I Loath Fireworks

As a retired former professional Firefighter/EMT we rolled on countless Residential Fires and Injured during the July1-6 season, all caused by fireworks. Even though they are all illegal around here, except for professional displays, they continue going off all over the metro area.
And I pity the people who have pets that are terrified out of their minds by the fireworks going off.

[soldierant]

18. I love fireworks, but I loathe

idiots. And it seems that the two go together far too much. I don't mind giving up the fireworks to be spared the idiots.

[MLAA]

3. Congrats!

The thrill of winning and the joy of helping the fire department!

[OAITW r.2.0]

22. It was a double-thrill.

I wish I had played Mega-Bucks when I bought a $50.00 book of raffles....

[MLAA]

24. I bought a Mega Bucks ticket today!

Fingers crossed!

[OAITW r.2.0]

25. I'm rooting for you!

10% gratuity if you win? Off my Karma?

[MLAA]

26. Naturally!

[OAITW r.2.0]

28. We can't possibly lose!

First, you bought the luckiest tickets, right? Then synchronicity happens. PM me my winnings.

[MLAA]

29. I'll Venmo the big bucks over, or he'll I'll just fly in and bring you a big giant cardboard check!

[OAITW r.2.0]

30. Recommend Bangor International Airport. Can't miss, 2 miles long.

Will have the crew from Dick Stacey's Country Jamboree greet you! Google DSCJ for more info.

[MLAA]

31. Only fitting!

https://www.google.com/search?q=Dick+Stacey%27s+Country+Jamboree&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:40854cd0,vid:s0fOx3hKMQ0,st:0

[2naSalit]

5. It's a good thing you done did there.

Donating is usually a good deed with a good feeling.

Happy 4th to you, Skippa and the rest of yer kin!

[OAITW r.2.0]

23. I suspect, over time, I'll be getting more engaged with the FD. Thinking wells / solar/batt tech pumps.

FD could have a clean source for pumping water. .At least 2, possibly 3 new well systems. Got plans for the property. But I need low vol well recovery

[LuckyCharms]

6. Congratulations! And, you did a good thing!

[OAITW r.2.0]

27. Your acknowledgement of my OP, of course, means everything.

Pretty easy actually. Never had it in my hands. The convo was like 90 seconds. "Wow, Cool I won. How much? $590,00! Cool." The split sucked < $600 for each. Happy to flip to these community volunteers....amazing bunch of guys.

[essaynnc]

7. What a guy (girl?) !!!!!!!!!!

[OAITW r.2.0]

20. Guy, Hopefully this doesn't make me a bad person.

[AllaN01Bear]

8. eggscllent.

[aggiesal]

9. I would have given them the $500 ...

kept $90 and gone out for a nice steak dinner.

Congrats and I appreciate your generosity.

[surfered]

10. Good for you! I grew up in a rural area and was a volunteer.

I currently live in a small community that has a volunteer fire dept, but we’ve reached the point that we need a professional one.

[OAITW r.2.0]

21. My 1865 farmhouse caught fie in 1999.

Funny thing is, the latest improvements...our 2 car garage with overhead big pool room burned first.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. If they send you no money, why do you need any paper for taxes?

If you got no money, you pay no taxes, and there's no deduction. What am I missing?

(no CPA, here)

[COL Mustard]

12. I think that qualifies

As a deduction, thus the need for a receipt.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

13. Maybe you're right. IF you claim the $590 as income, added to your Adj Gross Income, then ...

... then it makes sense to claim the $590 as a charitable contribution. Which is useful if your deductions exceed the standard deduction amount.

I'm an old fart (over 70.5 years) so I do all my charitable donations via "Qualified Charitable Distributions" from my IRA. It takes the money off the top, reducing the AGI, so no need to hit the standard deduction target.

[OAITW r.2.0]

17. NO CPA, either. But I assume that prize would be taxable income, so if I donate same, it becomes a tax deduction.

Maybe someone here will provide enlightenment for us on this thread.

[highplainsdem]

14. Bravo! Good for you!

[jaxexpat]

15. Good on you, pal.

A few minutes later. Editing to add a thing. That was my first reaction. I was feeling good for the wise generosity of my side. Then, as I continued reading the responses, which grew into a short discussion, thinking this is how such a conversation would be expected to go on a July 4th afternoon. Tax talk.

But here's where I feel the need to speak clearly, yet with no malice meant to any individual. How is it okay that a conversation about generous charitable donation becomes a discussion, in any way, about tax advantages? If this is a slice of Americana on its anniversary, the envy of the world etc., it is a tell. It says we may just reek, in our DNA, of base materialism to such an extent that many, maybe the best, people around the world turn away in embarrassment for our species and, perhaps, we should fear that we may yet deserve what we get.

I wish all you, my friends, a well met 4th of July evening.

[a kennedy]

19. Good for you for doing both, winning, and donating.......