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This post made me wonder if panhandling income is subject to state/federal income tax and not part of the exemption that people are allowed for gifts of up to a certain amount.
Considering the state's recent pressure on Amazon to add sales tax and the direction things seem to be heading with other issues, my guess is the answer is yes.
Many years ago, there was a special on with Walter Jacobson. He went undercover as a homeless person to learn more about their subculture and how things work. His findings were really interesting. I tried to find it, with no luck. Suffice it to say, almost all of the money received was untaxed.
We get people pulling this scam all the time in the Costco parking lot in Raleigh. We have had members come in saying they are being harrassed at the gas station for money or people just roaming the lot looking to ask people. Our management doesn't stand for it and will ask the people to leave. It's private property.
I was getting my oil changed one time and was sitting in the waiting room. While there, some guy walked in and helped himself to a cup of coffee (for the customers) and asked me for some money for a "sammich".
The counter guy saw him ask me, but didn't say anything. So I said "look, there's a BK next door and I haven't had anything to eat yet. Why don't we go over there and I'll get something and a "sammich" for you."
The guy said "no, you're busy, how about a couple of bucks and I'll get my own sammich?". I said "it's no problem, let's go on over and get some food". Then, he started to get insistent and irate. "no, I don't want to bother you, I can get something for myself". ____counter guy, still watching the exchange, but saying nothing_______
I said "I'm not giving you any money, but since you're hungry, I'd be glad to get some extra for you". . . then he got threatening. . . (all while still inside of the the quick-lube waiting room!). "look, just give me some money".
Then I said "NO". Then he squared off with me. That was enough. I looked him in the eye and squared off with him and said--very quietly--that it was clear that he wan't hungry, but instead wanted money. I told him to move on and if he were to see me anywhere else in town, to just avoid me and go the other way. He then left.
These types of incidents just make me more jaded about helping anyone. And for that, I feel sorry for the few who NEED it. I'm almost more inclined to help people who look like they need it, but don't want to even ask for it. . .
I've been harassed by panhandlers enough on Franklin St in Chapel Hill, that I now hate going there. They are aggressive, mean, and overly abundant. Begging, holding a sign, and threatening people for money are not the same thing. In my eyes, it's called robbery!
There were some folks rather aggressively collecting money at Tryon and Walnut St today for 'Life Church' (walking from car to car, almost to the point of disrupting traffic) - I refused. Felt bad, but I found it interesting that I was so put off by the aggressiveness of it that it made it easier not to give. So I suppose it wasn't an individual asking for gas, but it reminded me of this thread..
Thus my reason for having what I call "New York thick skin". You have to steel yourself against these requests when you live in larger cities because otherwise you get overwhelmed.
I'm also biased against people who can stand on their feet for eight hours a day begging (showing up to the same spot like clockwork, often dressed in a presentable manner); why can't they find work? When I worked catering a lifetime ago our kitchen crews were comprised of people who often came from questionable situations, some who were even admitted drug users. And yes, I realize that many of the beggars suffer from mental illness so it's not that simple, but even so...
There were some folks rather aggressively collecting money at Tryon and Walnut St today for 'Life Church' (walking from car to car, almost to the point of disrupting traffic) - I refused. Felt bad, but I found it interesting that I was so put off by the aggressiveness of it that it made it easier not to give. So I suppose it wasn't an individual asking for gas, but it reminded me of this thread..
New Life Church? There are many, but some out-of-town scammers by that name are known for that schtick...collecting money at intersections.
My children are very curious about these panhandlers. We see them every weekend. I've explained to them how some people mislead the public about money that is raised and it does not go directly to the people who need it. I let them see how we help individuals with food drives, donations to animal shelters, gifts to thrift shops etc so they know we are generous people but we all have to make wise decisions about our charitable giving.
DH says he is harassed almost every time he gets gas. And it happens all over the country.
There were some folks rather aggressively collecting money at Tryon and Walnut St today for 'Life Church' (walking from car to car, almost to the point of disrupting traffic) - I refused. Felt bad, but I found it interesting that I was so put off by the aggressiveness of it that it made it easier not to give. So I suppose it wasn't an individual asking for gas, but it reminded me of this thread..
I live right near this intersection and passed through it multiple times yesterday. The charity changed from New Life Church, to a charity that helps bail people out of jail, to a donation service for a kid named "Jose". These people were extremely agressive to the point of literally pounding on my window after I had already said no thank you to making a donation. The man was yelling and asking why I didn't want to help Jesus! It made me furious and I almost called the police.
Wow, redjul. Yes, I was surprised they were there, I thought Cary was pretty strict about that (though it may be outside of their town limits). One stood directly in front of my car (though the light was red), and I just shook my head 'no'.
I often see folks at the I-40/Hwy 54 intersections, and as much as I want to help...
I knew some people who always carried cracker packs with them and handed those out - though it sounds like any interaction might be a bad idea (from some of the posts here!).
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