I received a promotional coupon for a free soda at Safeway. After I filled my cup and went to the checkout counter, the clerk demanded four cents in tax. I had no money, so I waited for my husband to return from putting the groceries in the car. We paid the four cents because it wasn't that big a deal to haggle over. But how can something that Safeway is not making income from be taxed? Some coupons for ‘free’
products subject to taxThe free drink is a Pepsi giveaway although it is part of Safeway's Hawaiian Jackpot Game.
As part of a mass mail-out, customers received a game ticket to insert in a machine at Safeway. The majority of customers win a coupon for a free 22-ounce Pepsi drink.
But because it is a manufacturer's coupon, it is subject to the state's 4 percent general excise tax, said Ed Treschuk, Safeway's sales manager. (A previous item explained that if a seller is reimbursed for a coupon, as in this case, then it is required to pay the tax.)
There could have been a mix-up in the beginning, when some people weren't charged the excise tax, because the Pepsi coupons came in late, Treschuk said.
Meanwhile, if you win the Las Vegas trip or the pickup truck, bear in mind you will be forced to declare it as income on IRS returns.
Please settle an argument with my wife. I say the ink that comes off the newspapers is poisonous because it contains lead. Is it dangerous to our health? You can rest assured that you are not being poisoned as you read the paper!
"There has been no lead in newspaper printing inks in many years," said Bill Bogert, vice president of production, the Hawaii Newspaper Agency. "We use a petroleum oil-based black ink that contains carbon black and a small degree of resins. The color inks are soy oil-based and contain various amounts of coloring agents but no lead."
The bottom line: "The inks are not considered hazardous under any EPA guidelines or laws."
I want to warn your readers not to talk to someone they don't know. An AT&T automated operator said there was a collect call from John. When I realized it was not my son Jonathan, I tried to find out who was calling. He kept me on the line for five minutes before I got disgusted and hung up. Beware collect calls
I am a frequent swimmer at Kaimana Beach and against the city spending $11.5 million to restore the Natatorium, especially when there are so many other pressing social needs. Is it too late to do anything? Any ideas, call me at 951-5442. Stop natatorium project?
(The City Council has already approved the money, while the city administration says it hopes to get the needed permits in time to start work next year, so the government juggernaut is already in motion.)
To the woman driving a yellow BMW with personalized license plate, who sideswiped our car on the Kunia on-ramp on June 21 and almost eliminated three generations of a family. Auwe
To the nice couple who opened my car door with a coat-hanger after I had locked my keys inside. This happened at Kokua Market. They really know the meaning of Kokua! Mahalo
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