Joe Will Pay Your Taxes
April 1st, 2016
Joe pledges to assist the winner of a new official Buccaneers sweepstakes
Joe absolutely did a triple take when reading the fine print on your Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ newest promotion.
The Bucs have launched an official sweepstakes with the winner becoming a guest judge helping select the 2016 cheerleading squad.
Great idea! All the details are at Buccaneers.com.
But there’s a catch. Per contest rules, the winner must pay taxes for this life-changing honor. The Bucs have assigned a $500 value to the prize and state in bold that the winner will be issued a 1099 tax form and will be responsible for all taxes.
Joe takes issue with this for a couple of reasons:
- The chance to scrutinize dozens of beautiful women dancing and jumping and frolicking and sweating in somewhat skimpy clothing surely has to be worth more at least, say, $879.99.
- Are Florida and/or federal laws so twisted that a cash value must be placed on winning the right to judge a cheerleading contest. No wonder most citizens are anti-politics these days.
Rather than leave it to America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, to right this wrong of society, Joe is hereby offering to pay the tax bill of the winner. The winner can email joe@joebucsfan.com for details. Maybe Joe will get lucky and the winner will be a cash-challenged man who won’t owe any taxes.
April 1st, 2016 at 1:07 pm
I don’t get this. You’re basically an unpaid employee for the Bucs but you have to pay?
Not just that, but this feels a little……creepy, dirty old man like, gross.
April 1st, 2016 at 1:10 pm
Free beer, free money? Did Joe hit it big in Vegas and not tell anybody?
April 1st, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Leave it to the Glazer trio to stick it to the fans
April 1st, 2016 at 1:20 pm
If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street. If you you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat. If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat. If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet. Cause I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman. – Beatles
April 1st, 2016 at 1:24 pm
So Joe, are you paying the taxes on just the prize, or ALL of my taxes for 2016?
April 1st, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Joe, this actually isn’t an issue for anybody who wins that does not have any other self-employed income in 2016. Federal Tax law would have this income listed under “miscellaneous income” via the 1099. By law, you do not have to file if you have less than $600 in miscellaneous income in a tax year.
If an Uber driver or other independent contractor wins, however, then they would have to declare this, which I agree is silly. I think the Bucs could have stated a cash value of $10 if they wanted to since, as mentioned, they’re in essence volunteering for the team, albeit in about the best way possible.
April 1st, 2016 at 1:48 pm
All the Bucs contests are pretty much rigged. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen the guy with the “Road Warrior” face paint on the field for a “random fan” contest. It’s bullśhït.
April 1st, 2016 at 1:59 pm
I was thinking the same thing Nick….I thought $600 or less didn’t require a 1099?
April 1st, 2016 at 2:03 pm
April fools
April 1st, 2016 at 2:16 pm
That’s really weird they are assigning a $500 cash value to this “prize” and 1099ing the guest judge.
Sounds to me like a good way to spend a Sunday though – hope I win.
Being self employed, It would be AWESOME if Joe paid my taxes.
Joe – You aren’t specifying whether you are only paying the small amount of tax that could be owed for this prize – or paying the “winner’s” entire tax bill. The implication is the latter and I’m sure any lawyer could successfully argue that since its in “print”. You better specify now or risk paying a big bill if the “winner” earns hundreds of thousands per year. Just sayin…
You guys are very thoughtful for thinking of Joe. There’s no implication that Joe will pay someone’s entire tax burden outside of that associated with this prize.–Joe
April 1st, 2016 at 2:27 pm
Awesome, Joe!
Really cool gesture.
If Howard wins this contest then he would like it to be known to all potential cheerleaders:
Howard can be bought for the right “price” if you know what I mean, nudge,
nudge, wink, wink.
April 1st, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Gotta pay for that FREE Obamacare.
April 1st, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Where is the fine print that says this is not April Fools
April 1st, 2016 at 7:21 pm
Wow Joe, the headline was a pretty slick way to get people to click this post. But alas clicks= money, right? Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
Umm, not really, Joe could have come up with about 10 better headlines in the game of clicks. For example, “Bucs Assign Cash Value To Staring at Cheerleaders” or “Bucs Help IRS Tax Cheerleader Gawking” … Not sure why so many people are obsessed with headlines, which have been designed to suck in readers of media since the 1800s. –Joe
April 1st, 2016 at 11:21 pm
Crusty crab
That’s not the glaziers sticking it to anyone.
That’s are govt, making fire any winning in don’t contest or casino pays a 39.6% tax rate.
April 1st, 2016 at 11:53 pm
As an accountant, I promise to omit the 1099 and do a free tax return for the winner if you take me with you to judge the event.