L C
Hear me out.
Tax Day is right around the corner. As we are all shuffling through our shoebox of receipts to prepare to “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,” one thing is usually luminously clear – we should have made more charitable contributions.
Most of us have good intentions. But with our busy lives, it’s easy to fall short. Perhaps 2024 will be different.
Taxes aside, it can be pretty pricey to go out to dinner in Atlantic City, especially inside a casino. As high-end cocktails approach — or exceed, in some cases — the $20 mark, and prime cuts already raise your blood pressure just looking at the prices on the menu, a night out on the town can really set you back.
But there is a way to savor the tastes of the shore and even have Uncle Sam chip in on, at least a portion, of your tab.
I’m talking about charity events. Atlantic County is full of them throughout the year. They are often star-studded and quite opulent. Many times you’ll find an open bar and the most popular chefs in town offering up their signature dishes. Plus, there’s often auctions, raffles, dancing, ice sculptures and, at the one I attended this week, a mermaid!
Attending these events obviously supports the organization. But there are other intangibles. There’s networking, a reason to get dressed up, the security of being around like-minded people, and the joy of doing a good deed. You may even snag a raffle prize or silent auction item.
Plus, there can be real value at these events. If you are a guest that hits the raw bar or the open bar hard, the cost of your ticket could be much less than if you went to a high-end restaurant and had the same items. And when the cost of your donation exceeds the “street value,” you can probably write off the difference.
According to David Evans, CPA and Senior Manager at Bowman & Company, “you can deduct the amount you pay, less any value you receive. So, if the ticket costs $300 and the meal is valued at $100, you deduct $200.”
But how can an attendee put an exact price on the value they are receiving?
“They (the organization) know how much the facility is charging per person. So that would be the value. It’s up to the charity to tell people how much of their purchase price is tax deductible,” Evans said.
He also explained that, if you go to a benefit where you purchase your own food, the entire price of the ticket would be deductible.
But remember, whatever you spend on food that night isn’t something you can write off. He also cautioned that “if the charity doesn’t tell you up front, and it’s a concern, then ask before you buy.”
Funny story, years ago, my friend saw a flyer for a local event and got us tickets.
He likes any excuse to dress up! We got there, grabbed a plate of food, and asked if we could join some folks at a high-top table.
They asked us how we were affiliated with the organization. We said we weren’t.
Then they asked us if we knew someone who was a client of the charity. We said we didn’t.
They couldn’t fathom that my friend saw a flyer, thought it looked like a good event and we just came out to show support. We were a little shocked.
I wonder if he remembered to get his partial write-off?
Leslie Jespersen Giambrone and the author at the cancer benefit in Atlantic City's Island Water Park.
Now these events aren’t without pitfalls. Often seating is limited and you may spend a lot of the evening on your feet. Or, you may find yourself at a banquet table of strangers. There may be a couple of speeches to sit through. But it’s nothing you can’t handle.
On Thursday, I attended a fun tropical party at Island Water Park for Cancer Support Community New Jersey.
It was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones. I even brought home a lovely spa basket via raffle tickets. Thanks Shore Nails in Northfield!
We danced. We ate. There was a cute rep from Titos serving up two different signature cocktails. Money was raised to support those impacted by cancer. It was a great evening.
So, the next time you see a flyer for an interesting event, or you run into a friend selling tickets that benefit a good cause, why not try something new? Just because.
The 41st annual Atlantic Cape Restaurant Gala will take place Thursday at Harrah’s with a theme of Springtime in Paris.
The event raises scholarships for Academy of Culinary Arts students, the student emergency fund and foundation operations.
There will be hors d’oeuvres prepared by the students of the Academy of Culinary Arts, a formal dinner with dishes from more than 50 South Jersey establishments, open bar and live entertainment.
The gala begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m.
Let’s Get Cookin’ has had different names but always had one benefactor: the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City.
The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.at the Showboat.
The cooking contest offers several ways to get involved: Buy tickets. Sign up to be a chef — amateurs and pros welcome. Sponsor a chef by funding the entrance fee and/or supplies. Other sponsorships are also available.
Awards are given out in several categories from an esteemed panel of chefs who will judge the entrants. Everyone will leave with a cookbook featuring all the recipes from the evening.
Who will claim bragging rights as the best chef? Get ready to break those diets and carb up for a good cause. Don’t miss this incredibly fun event.
I love a good pun almost as much as I love supporting the Arc of Atlantic County!
This annual event is full of food, fun and an extensive silent auction. Plus, if your tux is at the cleaners, no worries — this is a casual affair!
Enjoy a spring evening at the marina at The Golden Nugget on May 30.
Proceeds benefit case management services and recreation programming for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
