KANSAS CITY, MO--(Marketwired - February 05, 2016) - The saying "Charity begins at home" is more than a saying to hundreds of winners in the 1,000 Win $1,000 Daily Sweepstakes, now in its third week at H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), the world's largest consumer tax preparation company. "Family first" is a recurring theme as winners use all or portions of their $1,000 winnings to help a brother, sister, niece or other relative.
"Hearing how numerous sweepstakes winners are using the money to take care of their families is wonderful," said Kathy Collins, H&R Block's chief marketing officer. "There are stories about parents having special birthday parties for their kids and getting them the Christmas presents they couldn't afford in December. And, we're hearing about people sharing with other family members when they could use a helping hand."
Caring and sharing starts at home
Some people are natural caregivers, like winner Martha Perry from Marked Tree, Ark. Martha has two grown daughters and a nephew who is like a son to her because she has taken care of him since he was 3 days old. As for her winnings, Martha will be "putting it into where [she] lives -- inside and out." Martha shares a home with a sister she takes care of and her mother, who stays with her from time-to-time. Being a caretaker isn't "just" something Martha does for her family; Martha has worked as a paraprofessional helping students who need assistance with basic needs in schools for 20 years.
Vacations, wide-screen TVs and more luxuries take a backseat as family comes first for many winners:
- One winner's brother had recently lost his job and she planned to give her winnings to him.
- "This blessing will allow me to have a birthday party for my 3-year-old granddaughter for the first time. I don't care if there is only $20 left for me. My family means everything to me," a winner said when asked about how he would spend his winnings.
- One winner lost a family member the morning she picked up her winnings check, prompting her to shift from planning to use the money to have fun with their family to using the money to help out in a difficult time.
Taking care of family can have positive tax implications for some
In some cases, taxpayers may be able to claim the dependent exemption for parents or other adult relatives they primarily support. This exemption is worth $4,000 on 2015 tax returns.
"Who lives in your home and who you help support can impact your tax situation," said Kathy Pickering, executive director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block. "We've seen with today's sandwich generation, more and more taxpayers supporting an elderly parent. Depending upon the level of support, they may be able to claim them, too."
To claim dependents, specific qualifications must be met, which include the following:
- Generally, a dependent must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico
- Taxpayer must provide more than 50 percent of the dependent's eligible living expenses, such as food, lodging, clothing, education and medical care
- The dependent's gross income may not exceed $4,000 for 2015.
www.hrblock.com/grandH&R Block tax professionalwww.hrblock.com or calling 800-HRBLOCK.
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Abbreviated Rules click here. Open to legal U.S. residents (50 states + DC & PR) age 18+. Entry Period: 1/4/16 - 2/15/16. One entry per taxpayer with paid federal tax return. Daily drawings 1/16/16 - 2/15/16 + final drawing on 2/19/16. 1,000 winners per drawing; 32,000 winners total. Total ARV: $32,000,000. Void where prohibited.
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