I was always so jealous of people that posted this but...

[debdreamsofdis]

I WON A SWEEPSTAKES!! I got a call from Eprize today and I won a trip for 2 to go see the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. It includes airfare, 3 nights hotel, two 3 day passes, ground transportation and $500, (ARV $3475)!

It's kind of funny because we just went on our first family trip to Disneyworld this summer and I was a little bummed because we didn't have time to go see Harry Potter. I was thinking it would be YEARS before we got a chance to go back to Orlando. So, this is pretty exciting for me.

So, I know I'll be responsible for taxes, but is there anything else I should be aware of when accepting this prize?

 

[sjs314]

Congrates!

 

[Thumper_Man]

Congratulations!

Only other things I can think of to be aware of is if you have a certain time frame to use it and if there are any blackout dates, unless you knew the dates prior to entering the contest. Other than that, have fun.

 

[disneyfreakk]

Yay for you!!!

 

[disneysnowflake]

That is AWESOME!! I'm so jealous. I've never been to Universal before and would love to see Harry Potter.
Congratulations!!

 

[babiektcher]

SO happy for you!!! Enjoy it, you deserve it!

 

[DisDiva2]

Congrats! I've never heard of it but be careful of the TIMESHARES!

 

[SamSam]

Awesome! Go, have fun and let us all know how it went.

 

[talulabelle]

Thats great! Congrats!

What is Eprize? Do you remember entering the sweepstakes?

 

[MissUndastood]

Congrats and now I'm jealous

 

[puakinikini]

I WON A SWEEPSTAKES!! I got a call from Eprize today and I won a trip for 2 to go see the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. It includes airfare, 3 nights hotel, two 3 day passes, ground transportation and $500, (ARV $3475)!

It's kind of funny because we just went on our first family trip to Disneyworld this summer and I was a little bummed because we didn't have time to go see Harry Potter. I was thinking it would be YEARS before we got a chance to go back to Orlando. So, this is pretty exciting for me.

So, I know I'll be responsible for taxes, but is there anything else I should be aware of when accepting this prize?

I am so excited for you - Congrats!

 

[dogodisney]

Congratulations.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Congratulations!

Only other things I can think of to be aware of is if you have a certain time frame to use it and if there are any blackout dates, unless you knew the dates prior to entering the contest. Other than that, have fun.

Thanks. I do have to take the trip by Aug 19, 2012, but I don't think there are any blackout dates.

Thats great! Congrats!

What is ePrize? Do you remember entering the sweepstakes?

ePrize is a company that creates promotional campaigns. Many of the internet instant win sweepstakes are run by ePrize. I honestly don't exactly recall entering, but I do enter sweepstakes online occassionally. When the representative called me to tell me I had won, she said that I must have entered in a store because they didn't have my e-mail address, which I thought I would have remembered. lol. However, I googled the telephone number on my caller I.D. and it is the number to ePrize, so I am confident it's not a scam.

Thank you everyone for the kind words!

 

[gavinsmom17]

Congratulations.. We were just at the wizarding world in August for the first time it was amazing.. Don't forget to have butterbeer!!!

 

[ORDisneyfans]

Happy for you and so jealous too! Ha Ha! Hope you have a great time!

 

[Planogirl]

How cool for you! We just went in August and had a blast. Which hotel?

I agree - try the Butterbeer. The frozen is amazing.

 

[aleshad01]

Congrats!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

So, I know I'll be responsible for taxes, but is there anything else I should be aware of when accepting this prize?

Since you asked, yes - but first, congratulations!

Make sure there are no "conditions" associated with accepting the prize - no upfront fee (immediate scam alert), as someone stated above no timeshare presentation...

Now, the taxes. Research, research, research! When you book your airfare, print out the actual price of the fare for the flights you select. Ditto for the hotel; print out the reservations page for various room levels for the nights you'll be there. Print out thu USF three day ticket pricing. Add it all up, multiply times two. Add $500. Is your total less than the stated ARV? If it is, it's the amount on which you should be paying tax - but you need proof for the IRS!

 

[ceemys]

Very cool!!

 

[debdreamsofdis]

How cool for you! We just went in August and had a blast. Which hotel?

I agree - try the Butterbeer. The frozen is amazing.

All I really know is the hotel is "determined by the sponsor in its sole discretion (single room, double occupancy)." I am returning my compliance forms today and then once they receive them, they contact their travel agent who will make the arrangements. The representative did say they try to pick a hotel that is close to the theme parks, so I'll be anxious to find out which hotel.

I've heard great things about the Butterbeer. My mouth is watering just thinking how wonderful it will taste!

Since you asked, yes - but first, congratulations!

Make sure there are no "conditions" associated with accepting the prize - no upfront fee (immediate scam alert), as someone stated above no timeshare presentation...

Now, the taxes. Research, research, research! When you book your airfare, print out the actual price of the fare for the flights you select. Ditto for the hotel; print out the reservations page for various room levels for the nights you'll be there. Print out thu USF three day ticket pricing. Add it all up, multiply times two. Add $500. Is your total less than the stated ARV? If it is, it's the amount on which you should be paying tax - but you need proof for the IRS!

Thank you! This is great advice. No fees or timeshare requirements, so I feel very comfortable that this legit. When I asked about what I would owe on taxes, they told me the ARV but also stated exactly what you said here, which is that the actual amount owed could vary depending on actual costs. I will definately remember to do my homework and keep records.