View Full Version : Is it legal to have a fundraiser for personal reasons?
Lmp19438
May 18, 2012, 03:43 PM
A friend of mine and her husband are adopting a child. I recently found out that they are having a fund raiser... u have to pay for tickets, food, and drinks, for $25 per person. They are doing this because they want help paying for the adoption costs. I say that if they can't handle this monetarily on their own, then they shouldn't be asking other people for help. Isn't it against the law to do this?
J_9
May 18, 2012, 04:01 PM
It depends on your location. Some places it is legal and others it is not.
AK lawyer
May 19, 2012, 04:13 AM
Tickets to what?
Food? Normally OK.
Alcohol? Where I come from it's illegal to sell it without a license.
excon
May 19, 2012, 05:31 AM
Isn't it against the law to do this?Hello L:
Like lawyer said, if it's alcohol, they can't do it.. But, if it's Coke, there's nothing against the law about holding fundraisers..
excon
ScottGem
May 19, 2012, 05:33 AM
Essentially what they are doing is giving a party and asking for monetary gifts. Its not much different from having a baby shower.
AK lawyer
May 19, 2012, 06:07 AM
Essentially what they are doing is giving a party and asking for monetary gifts. Its not much different from having a baby shower.
... or running a restaurant (albeit, for just one night). It's like any other business. Just be sure there are no licenses or permits you need to have.
What OP is thinking about, I imagine, is the charitable donation angle. That would not apply. Obviously, participants will not be able to take a tax deduction. And the money received is taxable income.
ScottGem
May 19, 2012, 06:11 AM
. And the money received is taxable income.
Would it? Wouldn't it be considered a gift?