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[buddykat]

Seen on Facebook:
Less than a week now for Conjecture/ConChord 2012! Make sure you got your tickets!!!

Since when does Conjecture sell 'tickets'?  Last time I checked, they sold memberships.  Looks like whoever is posting to facebook needs some education on the differences between a membership and a ticket, as well as just how off-putting the term "

Comments

[missingvolume]

Ok this is something I have no clue about. Can you point me to something that explains it.

[jbriggs]

see IRS Publication 526 "Charitable Donations" (pdf)

Page 4, 1st column, under Certain membership benefits can be disregarded.
"a. Free or discounted admission to the organization’s facilities or events,"

This means buying a membership into Conjecture 2012 lets you deduct the full
amount of the membership cost.

Page 3, 3rd Column, First Example 1
Shows that purchase of a ticket means you must subtract the market value of
the benefit from your deduction, e.g. the cost of running the convention,
somewhere in the neighborhood of 90% of the at-the-door membership
Ticket fee.

The Archon decision showed that if a charity is run not-like a charity, it
loses other benefits, the one that concerns 501(c)(3) organizations
the most is highlighted on Page 2, Table 1, column 1
"Deductible As Charitable Contributions", last item

[missingvolume]

Ah government ruling now that makes sense. I was thinking this was some along the lines of SF vs Sci-Fi.

[buddykat]

There is some of that also; although the tax thing is a much bigger issue.

Some fans feel that "tickets" are for events where you go to sit and be entertained (like a concert), where "memberships" are for conventions because it is more interactive, and you are an active participant in the event - and the con is not expected to make sure you "get your money's worth", you take some responsibility for your own enjoyment.

[ifics]

An honest mistake, the person who posts to Facebook is very busy right now and knows the difference.