Is airfare and other expenses tax deductible for destination point owners?

[sandcfort]

My sales rep said that airfare is tax deductible if we stay in a timeshare. Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[bobpark56]

No thoughts...I'm laughing too hard.

 

[dougp26364]

My sales rep said that airfare is tax deductible if we stay in a timeshare. Any thoughts?

Thanks

Just one. He lied.

 

[itchyfeet]

The sales rep wins the "Liar of the Year" prize.

 

[KeyWestSuz]

My sales rep said that airfare is tax deductible if we stay in a timeshare. Any thoughts?

Thanks

Wow. As a tax professional, I’m wondering why in the world someone would tell you that. What would be the basis of the deduction? These sales people amaze me.


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[dioxide45]

Only if you buy DC points from them directly, resale points and weeks don't get this benefit.

 

[controller1]

Wow. As a tax professional, I’m wondering why in the world someone would tell you that. What would be the basis of the deduction? These sales people amaze me.


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As another tax professional, I'm wondering the same. Absolutely amazing what a sales person will say to close a deal!

And @sandcfort , just in case you were wondering . . . @dioxide45 is being sarcastic!

 

[jimf41]

So I bought my first TS in 2002, do I have to amend all my returns or just last years?

 

[csalter2]

Our friend Dean on this site, would say that the salesman was technically inaccurate. You see in the salesman’s mind he was thinking it was a business trip attached to your reservation. He just did not say that.

 

[artringwald]

Our friend Dean on this site, would say that the salesman was technically inaccurate. You see in the salesman’s mind he was thinking it was a business trip attached to your reservation. He just did not say that.

Good point! The salesman should have also pointed out that the maintenance fees are also tax deductible (if you have business meetings everyday of the trip).

 

[Dean]

Our friend Dean on this site, would say that the salesman was technically inaccurate. You see in the salesman’s mind he was thinking it was a business trip attached to your reservation. He just did not say that.

That was uncalled for and false. With friends like that who needs enemies.

Specifically to the question, this is an area for condo's that is often abused but possible in some cases. While it may be possible to write it off in some very limited situations it's almost impossible to meet the requirements to do so for timeshares.

 

[csalter2]

That was uncalled for and false. With friends like that who needs enemies.

Specifically to the question, this is an area for condo's that is often abused but possible in some cases. While it may be possible to write it off in some very limited situations it's almost impossible to meet the requirements to do so for timeshares.

Dean,

I was just making a little funny based upon what we were writing about yesterday. The post was in jest, but do you see what I am talking about with lying?

 

[SmithOp]

So I bought my first TS in 2002, do I have to amend all my returns or just last years?

I have some bad news for you, if due a refund you only have three years to amend.


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[SeaDoc]

Again, the lies just keep coming and the Executive team of MVWC who are aware of this Board, do nothing... No wonder their stock (VAC) is at a 52 week low today... It's called Karma... or "What goes around, comes around"...

 

[dgf15215]

"Any thoughts?" That he meant it as a joke? Than again, when I would ask my now-retired accountant about some ridiculous business deduction I thought I might be able to take, his response was always the same - that all deductions are legitimate until someone at the IRS examines them and then . . . not likely. And expensive.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Again, the lies just keep coming and the Executive team of MVWC who are aware of this Board, do nothing... No wonder their stock (VAC) is at a 52 week low today... It's called Karma... or "What goes around, comes around"...

I guess it all depends still. Presentations have been discussed in numerous other threads, but I will just add my comment here. I have been going to them for over 20 years, at least 1 per year often more. No idea how many exactly. In those 20 years, including this year, I have never encountered the stereotypical lying sales rep. I am not saying no one else has not, of course they have, lots of stories on this board.

But here's the thing. There are many different types of people. Reactions and comments about the same statement can be perceived in many ways. For me, if a salesman would say trust points and enrolled points are different, I would simply ask in what way, in detail. Person B might say nothing and come back and say he lied and everyone would get all upset about it. Have I ever heard half truths? Some, and I challenge them if I happen to fee like it, but it truly is no big deal to me and I just don't take it the way you may. I would never post that a guy told me that. Just as I wouldn't post things other salesmen say for virtually any product on this planet.

However, that's for the guy (me) going who is already an owner and not buying and simply wants to make money for almost no work (sitting). Obviously, there is also the case where it's your first purchase. That is more important of course and I am not saying it isn't or discounting anything anyone has encountered. If they mislead you badly, yes, that is bad, of course.

For me, I've just never encountered obvious lies like it's tax deductible. And any time they have tried to sell me, they do disclose all of the fees and they do not omit any. But that's me, maybe I am super lucky. My only point for posting this is to say it is not always the case that all the salesman at Marriott lie or are otherwise slimeballs. I have had several that are simply outstanding at what they do, and do not make gross mis-statements. So, YMMV.

 

[Dean]

Dean,

I was just making a little funny based upon what we were writing about yesterday. The post was in jest, but do you see what I am talking about with lying?

It was mean, not funny. Hopefully you got my point that often it's not lying in the legal sense and that was the point I was making. They are very good at walking up to that line but not crossing over it. Does it happen where they are blatantly wrong, sure with frequency but more often than not they chose their words carefully. And when they do it's just as often that they believe what they're telling you. Some want to hold them to a higher standard but in reality there is no other standard than the legal definition. I've heard it said that a well intentioned but ill informed salesperson can cause you a lot more damage than a dishonest one.

 

[Dean]

I guess it all depends still. Presentations have been discussed in numerous other threads, but I will just add my comment here. I have been going to them for over 20 years, at least 1 per year often more. No idea how many exactly. In those 20 years, including this year, I have never encountered the stereotypical lying sales rep. I am not saying no one else has not, of course they have, lots of stories on this board.

But here's the thing. There are many different types of people. Reactions and comments about the same statement can be perceived in many ways. For me, if a salesman would say trust points and enrolled points are different, I would simply ask in what way, in detail. Person B might say nothing and come back and say he lied and everyone would get all upset about it. Have I ever heard half truths? Some, and I challenge them if I happen to fee like it, but it truly is no big deal to me and I just don't take it the way you may. I would never post that a guy told me that. Just as I wouldn't post things other salesmen say for virtually any product on this planet.

However, that's for the guy (me) going who is already an owner and not buying and simply wants to make money for almost no work (sitting). Obviously, there is also the case where it's your first purchase. That is more important of course and I am not saying it isn't or discounting anything anyone has encountered. If they mislead you badly, yes, that is bad, of course.

For me, I've just never encountered obvious lies like it's tax deductible. And any time they have tried to sell me, they do disclose all of the fees and they do not omit any. But that's me, maybe I am super lucky. My only point for posting this is to say it is not always the case that all the salesman at Marriott lie or are otherwise slimeballs. I have had several that are simply outstanding at what they do, and do not make gross mis-statements. So, YMMV.

I've been to as many or more (likely quite a few more) mostly with Marriott, Fairfield, Windham and Bluegreen plus a few others along the way. I can think of many things that were not accurate but very few where I was certain they were blatantly lying (maybe only a couple) and none specifically come to mind with Marriott. I can think of many examples where they were wrong or inappropriate in some way including at Ko Olina this past summer. I got a Wyndham guy fired a number of years ago and he should have been. I generally don't argue with them but usually say enough that they know I know what the real answer is. But if they cross over the line I stay and spend time with their supervisor, as I did at Ko Olina this year. I probably cost the guy an extra tour that day and spend over an hour with the "sales manager" who seemed genuine but you never really know if they're just good at saying the right things. Overall though with Marriott they've usually been reasonable and fairly accurate though I do think there has been some shift over the past few years.

OTOH it's their job to sell, not to make sure it's the right option for the buyer at hand. Otherwise there would never have been any timeshares.

 

[Steve Fatula]

OTOH it's their job to sell, not to make sure it's the right option for the buyer at hand. Otherwise there would never have been any timeshares.

Exactly. Salesman will only generally say the good things about whatever product they are selling, and, never any bad things, you need to pry that out of them. Benefits they will be sure to discuss, downsides, probably not. I've certainly been outright lied to by many non TS salesmen. And I go elsewhere when that happens, or, as you said you have done, complain to their supervisor. I've had 3 companies in my lifetime where the company was just bad, so, will never ever use them. I just don't agree with the seeming perception of some who say every time every one of them is bad. Not my experience at least. Had some real gems. And I still talk to them. But never had a guy just totally out in left field.

I've certainly seen some examples posted here on tugbbs that seemed like outright lying. I wasn't there, so, hard to judge what was actually said. I don't doubt it at all though.

 

[dioxide45]

It was mean, not funny. Hopefully you got my point that often it's not lying in the legal sense and that was the point I was making. They are very good at walking up to that line but not crossing over it. Does it happen where they are blatantly wrong, sure with frequency but more often than not they chose their words carefully. And when they do it's just as often that they believe what they're telling you. Some want to hold them to a higher standard but in reality there is no other standard than the legal definition. I've heard it said that a well intentioned but ill informed salesperson can cause you a lot more damage than a dishonest one.

If they were truly selling a product that they both believe in and are proud of, there should be no line, no half truths or no need to choose their words carefully.

 

[Steve Fatula]

If they were truly selling a product that they both believe in and are proud of, there should be no line, no half truths or no need to choose their words carefully.

In an ideal world, totally agree. But, there are very few salesmen of any product I have ever purchased that meet that standard. From cable to phones to computers to airfare to tvs to cars to you name it.

 

[Dean]

If they were truly selling a product that they both believe in and are proud of, there should be no line, no half truths or no need to choose their words carefully.

In general timeshares are sold not bought. Other than us bottom feeders very few people go out and plan to buy a timeshare. If they had to stand on their own merit there would be no successful timeshare, ever. The numbers work out far worse than buying luxury cars but most people at least need a car. They are the old time used car salesperson, just better paid. Still with Marriott, DVC and Hilton most of my personal experience has been middle to positive. I can only think of a couple where it wasn't with Marriott but unfortunately one of those was this past summer. Just an arrogate so and so who enjoyed playing games as much as he wanted to sell. You know the type, they know you're not going to buy so they want to inflict as much pain as possible. Interestingly I was at least willing to consider a purchase, the first time in a long time that was the case. The last time was when we enrolled.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Ever been told that an item on the menu at a restrauant is "NOT VERY GOOD tonight"?
Ever had a wait staff person NOT try to UPSELL you?
Or the salesperson helping you pick a tie or blouse or jacket NOT agree with your positive comment or is not MORE encouraging when the price tag is higher on a similar item?

Sorry ... I prefer to not deal with "commissioned only" sales personal. While a sales person may NOT be a 'bald face' liar, they MUST produce the numbers (sell) to keep their job or get a better shift. Yes, sales groups need bodies working the floor during the 'slow selling' times, too.

And Wyndham sales staff is the MOST ANNOYING ... I refuse to attend. And if hassled to make an appointment ... it will be for the time I will not be at the resort. In other words, I ditch the appointment .. I stand them up .. I layout by the pool .. I go out to lunch .. I play games on my computer. AND I UNPLUG the PHONE.

And I never give the ANYONE at the resort my Cell Phone number! Esp if they promise to call you when your room is ready!

 

[davidvel]

Again, the lies just keep coming and the Executive team of MVWC who are aware of this Board, do nothing... No wonder their stock (VAC) is at a 52 week low today... It's called Karma... or "What goes around, comes around"...

To be fair, this is nothing new. Not saying you did any of this, but you had to see it all around you when you were there. Yes it's gotten worse but that's been over the past 8 years as the points product came about.

 

[SeaDoc]

It has accelerated over the last two years, as our political discourse has deteriorated into lies, deceit and misrepresentation of facts as the new norm, so has the culture of the sales environment in which I had participated.