James Robertson Gets His Car

"SteveLehto" (stevelehto) 02/06/2015 at 14:30 • Filed to: None

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This past Sunday, I saw the story of James Robertson, the man who had a perfect work attendance record despite having to walk 21 miles as part of his daily commute to and from his workplace. I wrote a quick story and asked the rhetorical question. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

I suggested someone set up a crowdfund-type account and one was set up shortly after. Then the internet did what it does and more than $310K was raised.

As !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , not only did James get the cash donations, but someone came along and promised him a brand new Taurus. That picture above is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! as he got into his new Taurus for the first time today.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Jalopnik readers played a big role in this. Many of the early donations - on a Sunday morning - came from this community and helped get the ball rolling. I'm sure he'd thank you personally if given the chance - but that might be difficult since more than 11,000 people donated. So, I'll thank you on his behalf.

Follow me on Twitter: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Hear my podcast on iTunes: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 23 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! He wrote !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

This website may supply general information about the law but it is for informational purposes only. This does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not meant to constitute legal advice, so the good news is we're not billing you by the hour for reading this. The bad news is that you shouldn't act upon any of the information without consulting a qualified professional attorney who will, probably, bill you by the hour.

ttyymmnn > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 14:34

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This is a great story, beginning to end. I have to wonder, though, just how many other James Robertsons there are out there, folks who work their tails off day in and day out and just need a little help, a break, a leg up. I suspect there are many. But this is indeed a great story for James, and for Detroit, a city that needs a few good more good stories right about now.

SteveLehto > ttyymmnn 02/06/2015 at 14:35

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I agree on all counts.

TheHondaBro > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 14:37

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This is an awesome thing that's happening. You did a great thing by sharing this man's story.

If I had spare money, I'd have totally contributed, but I unfortunately couldn't.

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 14:38

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May he drive it in good health and enjoy more time with the people he loves!

ttyymmnn > Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop 02/06/2015 at 14:43

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Amen.

E92M3 > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 14:50

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What happened to the other $290k?

SteveLehto > E92M3 02/06/2015 at 14:51

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The full $310K is going to James. The Taurus was an outright gift from a local car dealer.

I'm guessing that will pay for gas and insurance for a year or two . . .

Matsayz > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:07

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And before we get the same BS comments from the post Travis made....

THE MONEY is being managed by a board of professionals. He is NOT getting a briefcase of cash.

Score one for Jalops and generous people all over the place!

SteveLehto > Matsayz 02/06/2015 at 15:08

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Thanks for the note. I appreciate the positive thoughts.

QCGoose > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:10

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This story is awesome and that picture of Mr. Robertson in his new Taurus is priceless.

Drive on, Mr. Robertson.

SteveLehto > QCGoose 02/06/2015 at 15:11

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Agreed. Thanks.

Sagaris > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:11

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I'm glad this guy got a car but I did not see anyone investigate why someone who makes above the states minimum wage could not afford a vehicle. All this is very nice and generous but not really the interesting part of the story, wish a news outlet would have went above and beyond the headline and investigated.

Again, good for him that was a hell of a walk and no one who busts his ass working for a company should have to do that. Just i'm curious about the the other parts of this story.

ToyBootleggers > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:12

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Somehow when I first read the title I read "James Robertson get hit by car"

Canadmos > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:12

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Not only gas and insurance, but he could probably buy (or pay off) a house in that area!

Kiddy > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:12

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To anyone who has something negative to say about this...go straight to hell.

Robert Jones > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:13

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Thank you, Steve. Thank you everyone with words or dollars of support for this man. This is a nicer day.

SteveLehto > Kiddy 02/06/2015 at 15:13

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There is so much good in this story. Thanks for the note.

SteveLehto > Robert Jones 02/06/2015 at 15:13

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Thanks. I agree 1,000%.

DrinkLiftGamble > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:14

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Such great story. I do hope after all this time his license and insurance are up to date!

Safe travels!

burninaballoffire > Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop 02/06/2015 at 15:14

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jalopnik for the win!

SteveLehto > DrinkLiftGamble 02/06/2015 at 15:14

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Hey, a driver's license isn't all THAT hard to get!

Thanks for the note. I'm sure he'll do just fine.

get-nick > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:15

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Serious question, does he even have a driver's license?

delongedoug > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:15

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SteveLehto > get-nick 02/06/2015 at 15:16

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I assume so. If not, they aren't all that hard to come by.

Canadmos > Matsayz 02/06/2015 at 15:16

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Can you elaborate? Not that I care what he does with the money, I am just curious of the process of these types of campaigns and "donations".

shortyoh > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:16

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Awesome story and all the best to him!

I'll also note that his story tells some of the lunacy behind the "just prove your worth and you'll get a promotion and a raise" line that is often used against unions or efforts to raise the minimum wage.

This man appears to be a damned model employee and was still only getting $10.55 an hour.

472CID > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:16

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Sounds like a responsible choice, good on him!

certified cool guy > E92M3 02/06/2015 at 15:17

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He

TinfoilHatHead > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:18

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This is a great story. Hopefully Mr. Robertson will become a Jalop; and perhaps a hoon?

SteveLehto > 472CID 02/06/2015 at 15:18

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The Taurus was given to him specifically because someone had asked him what type of car he might buy with "all that money." He mentioned a Taurus.

Vin > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:18

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Damn these onion-chopping ninj-

Fuck it. I cried too.

What a great way to end the week.

Sethism > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:18

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thanks for the follow-up, Steve. I've been following the Free Post on this. Once again, the kindness of good people outshone the skepticism and selfishness of the cynics. Good on you for your part, Steve. Good on Evan for his. And thanks to everyone who helped.

get-nick > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:19

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FYI, the tax hit on $310,000 is about $74,595 according to IRS.gov.

Yay 'Murica.

SteveLehto > Sethism 02/06/2015 at 15:20

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Thanks for the note. There is a lot of good in this story.

certified cool guy > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:20

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Right when I thought everybody in this world was a total dick I saw this article and changed my mind.

I'm sure James will put my $25 to good use!

SteveLehto > certified cool guy 02/06/2015 at 15:21

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Thanks for the note. I appreciate it.

get-nick > TheHondaBro 02/06/2015 at 15:21

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You couldn't "spare" $.13?

JarkBerts > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:21

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Kickstarter will take 5%, and Amazon will take another 3-5%, so ironically E92M3 is right... James will get approximately $280-290K.

Maybe he can use it to move closer to work, or maybe to retire.

472CID > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:22

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Sounds like a reasonable guy, exactly what the world needs.

ReforMatt > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:23

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Godspeed sir.

Auto Guy > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:23

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Seen and read all the reports. Excellent coverage. Well done, everyone!

One tiny beef: Most overlooked guy in this whole thing? Steve Lehto. Sigh...

SteveLehto > get-nick 02/06/2015 at 15:23

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Not in this case. I have spoken with some tax people and some of the news folk did too. It is not considered a single gift - he got 11,000 small gifts. It appears that NONE of them exceeded the amount which would cause that to kick in.

Kinja'd Again > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:23

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He should trade it in and get something from GM.

NoahTheFerrariGuy > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:24

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Maybe more dealerships will start giving cars to hard working people with awful commutes. It seems like a great marketing/publicity opportunity as well as an opportunity to give back to the community and change the life of someone who deserves it. I can just see Chrysler giving a town and country to a single mom who could really improve her situation if she was able to drive her kids to daycare/school.

Sethism > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:24

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hopefully it will help him retire and get some well-deserved rest.

SteveLehto > JarkBerts 02/06/2015 at 15:24

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It was Gofundme. Are they related to Amazon?

get-nick > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:24

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I'm still curious to know more behind the story. Where does his money go? Why didn't he ever buy a bicycle or move closer? Why didn't he lease an econobox for $100/month or buy a beater?

SteveLehto > Auto Guy 02/06/2015 at 15:25

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Hey - I am just a small cog in a larger machine. But thanks!

Sethism > get-nick 02/06/2015 at 15:25

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because he got a FREE brand-new Taurus.

SteveLehto > Kinja'd Again 02/06/2015 at 15:26

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He mentioned in an interview that he might buy a Taurus, so that is what someone gave him (makes you wonder what would have happened if he had casually mentioned something a little hotter?)

Goofnik > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:26

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Amazon is irrelevant. GoFundMe uses *some* payment processor, whether it's Amazon, Stripe, Braintree, or one of the other major processors. There's a fee to process payments (typically a few percent).

Every day this is hidden from you, the consumer. The reality is most retail stores have a built-in few extra percent to the retail price to cover swipe fees.

get-nick > Sethism 02/06/2015 at 15:26

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I mean, why was he walking so much. I know his Accord broke down. But when? And instead of buying the guy a car with gofundme, why didn't they just pay to fix the car?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:28

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steve this was a wonderful thing you started with an awesome end result. You are becoming my favorite author here

SteveLehto > Goofnik 02/06/2015 at 15:28

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I know that is true. I just thought Amazon had somehow managed to sneak a tentacle into this transaction.

Thanks,

Sethism > get-nick 02/06/2015 at 15:29

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it broke down 10 years ago. A car that has sat broken for 10 years typically costs a lot more to resuscitate than buying a different car. This fundraiser started with a goal of $5,000 to buy Mr. Robertson a reliable used car. Needless to say, it got legs and exceeded that goal handily.

SteveLehto > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 02/06/2015 at 15:29

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Thanks. I appreciate the note. (And, I will keep writing!)

And if you ever get really bored, you can hear me TALK too.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > TinfoilHatHead 02/06/2015 at 15:29

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Responsible hoon

RiddldedTomcat > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:31

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Just another example of why Jalops are the best people. Car enthusiasts unite!

SteveLehto > RiddldedTomcat 02/06/2015 at 15:32

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Agreed!

TeeJayHoward > JarkBerts 02/06/2015 at 15:33

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And don't forget the IRS. They want their 40% (or $45K+33%, whatever). Or else that shiny new car will sit while James rots in jail.

TinfoilHatHead > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 02/06/2015 at 15:34

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I've never seen one of those in the wild. Is that species related to the elusive Snipe?

Velvet Elvis > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:35

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I see he's not the only emotional one in the photo.

TeeJayHoward > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:35

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It's still reportable as income, though - Isn't it?

SilverPantherIsSilver > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:35

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But does the A/C need a recharge? J/K

JarkBerts > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:36

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Oh, my bad. I don't know how GoFundMe works. I thought it was a kickstarter, which uses Amazon to process their transactions if I remember correctly. I assume that GoFundMe probably takes pretty close to the same amount though, but I don't know if they are related to Amazon at all.

AlexOsadzinski > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:36

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Hi Steve,

There was a discussion about this on another Kinja thread. IANAL and IANA CPA, but my $0.02 was that true gifts aren't taxable to the recipient. If any one person gave more than the IRS gift limit of $14,000, the donor would have to file a gift tax return, not the recipient. If the donor had used up his/her lifetime gift tax exemption, they'd have to pay gift tax. Am I wrong?

The discussion was whether or not the IRS would consider this a gift, or income. A tax attorney/CPA would have to weigh in on this, or the IRS. I'm glad that you were apparently able to talk with some experts who know. It also wasn't clear if the Taurus was a gift, or a prize of some sort. At worst, I guess, Mr. Robertson pays federal and state tax on the Taurus' retail value. It's still great that he ends up way better off, under any circumstances. Good on you.

dustynnguyendood > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:37

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Came here hoping for an update and wasn't disappointed.

If I was in the area, I'd have a new Ford dealer to frequent. Good on them, good on all the jalops and good on you Steve for writing about it.

QCGoose > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:39

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No no. Thank YOU for helping to get his story out there. I know he didn't ask for any of this, which just makes it all that much sweeter.

All of this just continues to prove that in an increasingly selfish, "Screw you" society, there are still so many good, selfless people out there whose joy truly comes from the joy of others. I love it.

Kinja'd Again > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:40

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I meant sarcastically just to stick it to Ford if he's a diehard GM guy. Maybe if he had said something like BMW 1, 2, or 3-series he may have gotten one. Probably not, but he went for the moon instead of thew stars.

Hypocrisy doesn’t make me wrong > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:41

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I think that some love should be shown to Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights, MI , the dealer that donated the car, and should not just be credited as "some guy that came along".

I have no ties to the dealership, I've never even been to Michigan, but a dealer should be given some positive mention from time-to-time here on Jalopnik.

JarkBerts > TeeJayHoward 02/06/2015 at 15:41

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Yeah, unless he hires a clever CPA who can call this some kind of capital gains, so it would then get taxed at closer to %15.

But then add Detroit city taxes. Yep, if you live in Detroit you have to pay Federal, State, AND city taxes. This is probably true of most large cities, but still seems like a scam considering that they don't even provide basic services (fire, police, lighting, etc) to a large number of their residents.

ttyymmnn > get-nick 02/06/2015 at 15:41

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Maybe he lives check-to-check? Maybe he doesn't earn that much? Maybe he's got healthcare bills? A mortgage? Maybe he felt that the money he could spend fixing/buying/renting a car would be better spent elsewhere?

SteveLehto > TeeJayHoward 02/06/2015 at 15:42

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From what I have seen, no. Go about halfway down in this article .

That's not me talking. That's people the paper consulted.

SteveLehto > SilverPantherIsSilver 02/06/2015 at 15:42

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Ask Doug.

wildbill > ttyymmnn 02/06/2015 at 15:42

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i think hes in the minority of people with a commute that far who DIDNT buy a bike after the FIRST day walking 21 miles

Sethism > TeeJayHoward 02/06/2015 at 15:42

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No taxes, as confirmed by Detroit Free Press earlier this week. It's a whole bunch of small individual donations, none of which were substantial enough to require taxes be paid.

Johnnyazz > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:42

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See guys! all you need in this world is to work hard and sacrifice your whole life and you too will get a free car!

SteveLehto > JarkBerts 02/06/2015 at 15:43

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It's not taxable as income, according to the tax people consulted by the Free Press. Skip to about the midway point in this article.

ttyymmnn > wildbill 02/06/2015 at 15:43

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If I were his age (and I'm not all that far from it), and had to deal with Detroit winters, I would walk too.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:43

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I saw that in my email, awesome!

SteveLehto > AlexOsadzinski 02/06/2015 at 15:44

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Why would the Taurus be a "prize"? I saw other people ask that and did not understand it.

Skip to about the half point in this article.

Matsayz > Canadmos 02/06/2015 at 15:44

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I don't know the specifics but the money isn't being dropped directly into his hands. It's going to be properly managed, it'll pay for gas, insurance and maintenance stuff. I'm sure he'll get a stipend or something but it's not $300k cash. Feel free to read the Freep articles and email the authors, they've responded to me a couple times since Sunday when I donated.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > ttyymmnn 02/06/2015 at 15:44

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I'd do this every week, lets do it again!

SteveLehto > Hypocrisy doesn’t make me wrong 02/06/2015 at 15:46

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Agreed. I wrote the piece rather hastily. They deserve an amazing amount of credit for this.

CallMeTURBO > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:46

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that's probably one of the best bits about this, all of the well intentioned donations are actually going to the cause and not to the gov.

Great job on this steve, I saw the article the first hour you posted it and was disgusted at the negative comments. I wish I could have spared the money and still make it to school this week otherwise I totally would have contributed, but I'm glad so many people did

SteveLehto > CallMeTURBO 02/06/2015 at 15:47

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Thanks for the note. I still believe there is a vast amount of goodness in people.

UncleJarvis > E92M3 02/06/2015 at 15:48

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CallMeTURBO > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:49

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I do too, and it's nice to know our community played a part in it

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:49

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Thats awesome, we should do this every week until the IRS changes the damn law.

LastScene86 > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:49

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He better not get stuck in traffic/car failure/leg failure.

For having perfect attendance all this time and now given an easier path to it, he will be torn to sunders if he is late anytime after this.

That said, good for him. You don't DESERVE it but you definitely EARNED it. Godspeed sir.

JarkBerts > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:50

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Awesome! This story keeps getting better. This guy is actually going to get almost all of what people want to give him. This restores some of my faith in humanity.

I am a bit cynical though, and I am sure that the IRS will figure out some way to get their hands on it. I hope that James gets as much as possible.

AlexOsadzinski > TeeJayHoward 02/06/2015 at 15:50

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Genuine gifts usually are not. If I, because I really like you, give you, say, $14,000, then it's not income for you. 100 other people could do the same, and you'd have $1.4M of non-taxable money. You might have to explain to the IRS just why 100 people did this but, if it's legit, no tax.

If I gave you $14,001, I'd have to report that to the IRS. If I've used up my lifetime gift limit ($5.43M this year), then I'd have to pay a gift tax to the IRS.

Folks use this annual exemption, currently $14,000, to give gifts to their families and legally reduce their estate taxes. Say you're in you 60s, rich, and have $20M in assets. You and your wife each gives each of your four children, and their eight adult children, $14,000 every year. You're gifting $336,000 a year without any tax liabilities for you, your wife or your family. After 10 years, you've given away $3.4M, allowing for some increase in the annual exemption. When you and your wife die, you avoid estate taxes on that $3.4M.

The downside, if you consider it that, is that the gifts really must be gifts, and have no strings attached, i.e. you can't ask for the money back.

There are some other exemptions, I believe, like paying directly for someone else's medical bills, or college education. Some restrictions apply. Always consult an actual expert, not a random internet commenter like me. All the above may be wrong. Etc.

soloyosh > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:51

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I used to have that reaction when I got Tauruses as rentals. They're much better now.

protodad > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:55

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I was wondering if he would have bought something reasonable or something ridiculous. Looking at his back story alone I would have been surprised to see him at a Ferrari dealership with the donations.

Glad to see he stuck with the Taurus.

SteveLehto > protodad 02/06/2015 at 15:56

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Yes, he was asked what he would buy in an interview and he said a Taurus. This was AFTER he knew the amount of money being given him was quite large.

emilminty drives an E30 but the '89 Cavalier blew a head gasket > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:58

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FWIW, a friend of a friend used a gofundme account to raise money for a cancer victim and was blessed with a 1099 for her efforts. I don't think that's income (gifts to the cancer victim and definitely not income to the friend), but she now has to explain the 1099 to the IRS.

aismo > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 15:59

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I've had such a shitty god damned Friday. I'm glad this guy had a good one though. He deserves it.

gearboxtrouble > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 16:00

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Time for him to spend that money on a gym membership.

SteveLehto > emilminty drives an E30 but the '89 Cavalier blew a head gasket 02/06/2015 at 16:00

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James has people who can help him with the tax paperwork if he needs it.

suss6052 > SteveLehto 02/06/2015 at 16:00

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I like how confused the article is about the car itself, other than the MSRP, which I'm having trouble coming to an exact match on equipment. It looks like a very well equipped Taurus SEL FWD with the base 3.5 L V6, 20" wheels, the premium package with the intelligent access, a moon roof, etc, but it is not "fully loaded", as it's merely the second from the base trim very well equipped based on the build and price site and that MSRP range.

Either way congratulations on winning the equivalent of the lottery and please renew your license and registration if it's not already before driving it too far. Wouldn't want to get in trouble with the law on that one.