Harlan Lunsford <hlunsfordns[at]bellsouth.net> wrote:

- quote -

That sounds like too much moderation for me.

I prefer a reasonable amount of moderation.

"Nothing exceeds like excess."

Seth

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Harlan Lunsford wrote:
- quote -

OK: Something TANGIBLE and not valueless.

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Nan Eklund wrote:

- quote -

ah yes, "moderation" . "All things in moderation",
I think from the Bible?

Christmas Cheer$,
HL

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naneklund[at]aol.com (Nan Eklund) wrote:

- quote -

Thanks, but I'd rather have the cash. (Uh, is that taxable?)

Happy holidays, everyone.

Stu

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Harlan Lunsford <hlunsfordns[at]bellsouth.net> wrote:
- quote -

How does that differ from the party? (Assuming the amount
of alcohol served doesn't suffice to prevent that :-)

Seth

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Merry Christmas, Harlan, and to all those who answered the "business gifts" (or
NOT, as your opinion may go) question.

I already thanked Dick for his great service to us all and I hope all reading
this will do the same.

May he have a Happy and Moderated New Year.

Nan, EA in LA

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Seth Breidbart wrote:
- quote -

If it doesn't go home with the decedent's family, that's
correct - there's no completed gift.

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Seth Breidbart wrote:
- quote -

Ah, but the do take something home; the memory of the
moment.

Christmas Cheer$,
Harlan Lunsford

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Nan Eklund wrote:

- quote -

Indeed it has been, Nan. That's what I like about this
board, freedom to dissent, contradict, confirm, deny, add,
detract (to the argument, not the people). I can say I've
learned a lot here, and many threads pertain to real issues
we all have with clients and the IRS.

Not everything I say I do, or that works for me, will be
right for everybody of course, but once in a while a new
trick or technique makes it to the surface.

I did my last property tax returns and turned them in
yesterday and put the sign on my door saying back next year.
So now is a good time to wish Dick all the best when he
undergoes the knife, to get well soon, have a merry merry
Christmas along with everybody here.

Christmas Cheer$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

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This has been a lovely argument. Result?
The $25 per person limit still applies to flowers sent to a
client's funeral. HOWEVER: the client being deceased, the
gift hardly applies to him. The gift, therefore, is to the
FAMILY. As long as the family is at least 3 people, a $75
gift is o.k. Hah! My conscience is clear. My books will
happily include gifts....without having to disquise them.

Merry Christmas.
Nan, EA in LA

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D. Stussy <kd6lvw[at]kd6lvw.ampr.org> wrote:
- quote -

That would imply that the funeral wreath is not a business
gift.

Seth

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Seth Breidbart wrote:
- quote -

Ahhh. you're trying to trap me, right?

advertising, yes, as long as it's ordinary and necessary and
reasonable. But at least to my mind, such is not ordinary,
cause people down this way just don't exploit funerals. New
Jersey... well........

Christmas Cheer$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

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Harlan Lunsford <hlunsfordns[at]bellsouth.net> wrote:
- quote -

Then the limit is per person, so there's no problem, right?

- quote -

I agree it's tacky. Whether the cost of attending (and the
cost of those business cards) was deductible is the issue,
not the tackiness.

Advertising that offends customers and loses more sales than
it creates is still deductible, right?

Seth

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"D. Stussy" <kd6lvw[at]bde-arc.ampr.org> wrote:
- quote -

What about if the liquor has a label with the name and phone
number of the company that has given the gift? As long as
it's around it would act as a constant reminder, and act as
a marketing/advertising device.

Stu

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Dick Adams wrote:

- quote -

Business gift.

- quote -

Because they don't take anything home.

================================================== ==========
Moderator: Thank you for a cogent distinction.
================================================== ==========

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Nan Eklund wrote:

- quote -

If there were a legitimate business purpose to the gift, it
would probably fit into some other category than "business
gifts." Regardless, I do agree that the amount hasn't been
adjusted for inflation [lately/since its inception] and most
other things are.

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- quote -

That's about where I started (and also to a florist client)
but they add the delivery and you wind up with $50 or so.
How come they can up medical and moving mileage costs
regularly but not the cost of gifts? IF they ARE gifts.

Nan, EA in LA

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Dick Adams wrote:

- quote -

Ah yes. there'sa special dispensation for bottles of
Usqe-beatha at Christmas time. I would of course use the
miniatures in order to provide a variety of single malts for
tasting purposes and building appreciation of Scottish
culture. Well under the 25$ rule there and if you tell the
client it's a really great and classic single malt, you can
get a lot of mileage out of it. And save money too, like
any good Scotsman.

Now I'd draw the line at distributing secretaries at
Christmas time. oh. nevermind.

Holiday Cheer$,
Harlan Lunsford

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Nan Eklund wrote:

- quote -

It's been 25$ for as long as I can remember, iow all the
time I've been in practice. So surely inflation should be
used to adjust that figure up to about..... 65$. WRite your
congressman now.

I called a floral client to send maybe a 35-40$ arrangement
to a funeral couple of months ago and unless she finally
remembers to send me the bill, I won't even have that 25$
to deduct this year. And yes, you can get some decent for
that amount in this LA.

Holiday Cheer$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

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Seth Breidbart wrote:
- quote -

No. To the people who attend the funeral, viz the survivors.

- quote -

Has nothing to do with law or regulations; it's just good
sense. Seems I remember a movie once showing the used car
salesman at a funeral handing out his business cards. Movie
was set either in California or New Jersey.

Holiday Cheer$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

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