Comments on: Update on the free Vista and Office DVDs: it’s for real

By: Peter Schott

Peter Schott — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:18:13 +0000

So what is the estimated IRS penalty for getting both of these? 10% of $600 or so? More? Less? Figure that’s pretty cheap for a full, licensed version of these products. Does it depend on your tax bracket? If so, that’s a bit more expensive for some (less for others).

Thanks.

-Pete

By: claude

claude — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:10:44 +0000

So do you need to own a business to register for this?

By: dc

dc — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 23:26:40 +0000

Ms should just create a price special of $599.99 on the giveaways to help us avoid the headaches.

Thanks for the great post.

By: ScottD

ScottD — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 20:43:03 +0000

Just a quick note. This is only open to US residents. Us poor aussies dont get a bite at the cherry.

By: Me

Me — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 14:11:28 +0000

Anyone else having problems registering for the Powertogether promotion? I keep getting a sorry, server error after entering my personal information. I also noticed in the fine print it said while supplies last. Does that mean there are 100 copies and so the majority of people are tricked into watching webcasts for nothing? Sorry to be a little cyncical the deal just sounds too good to be true.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 13:09:00 +0000

Thanks for the tax accounting advice Mark; any attempts to keep me from jail are always viewed as a positive thing. Besides, I doubt they'd let me use my UMPC to keep posting from a jail cell. ;)

By: Mark Polino, CPA

Mark Polino, CPA — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:15:44 +0000

Just so we’re clear, even if you only get one of the items, it’s still taxable. However, Microsoft is only required to report it to the IRS (by sending you a 1099) if it’s over $600. Legally you’re still required to the pay tax even if the IRS doesn’t know about it. Do what you want with that information, I’m just hoping to keep Kevin out of jail.

The good news is that you probably won’t receive the CD’s until next year so you’ve got a whole year to figure out how to pay the tax.

By: e

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:11:58 +0000