Maaser question

[Shmulie]

And who said you don't have to give maaser on cash back. I was under the impression that you don't have to give maaser on cash back if its just a statement credit because it's shava kesef, but if it's a check I think you would have to give maaser.

i dont understand whats the difference between 5% cash back and a item going on a 5% off sale

[avrumy]

i dont understand whats the difference between 5% cash back and a item going on a 5% off sale

5% cash back means u can take the cash and spend it where and how you want. 5% off means its restricted to that store- meaning you can not spend it how you want

[itsyehuda]

i dont understand whats the difference between 5% cash back and a item going on a 5% off sale

Or a mail in rebate

[Shmulie]

5% cash back means u can take the cash and spend it where and how you want. 5% off means its restricted to that store- meaning you can not spend it how you want

not true if an item goes on sale for 5% off your saving that money

for example amazon has a sale on an item normally priced at $100 but yu have a coupon for 5% off so you only pay $95 you have an extra $5 in your bank account and you can spend it as you please

[yitzf]

Or a mail in rebate

Exactly, IIRC my Rov told me that a mail in rebate us subject to maaser.

[Shmulie]

Exactly, IIRC my Rov told me that a mail in rebate us subject to maaser.

if thats what your rabbi said then thats what you should do at the end of the day its always best to consult your LOR.

[avrumy]

if thats what your rabbi said then thats what you should do at the end of the day its always best to consult your LOR.

The real question is what constitutes the requirement to give masser? is it on all income- or only cash equivalent income? I had this question for yrs

[zh cohen]

Non-maaser.  I bought a ticket with points for a chabad house friend.  I asked him for a tax donation receipt for the full market value if the ticket was bought in cash that day.

Does a tax receipt equal cashing out?

[itsyehuda]

Exactly, IIRC my Rov told me that a mail in rebate us subject to maaser.

Sounds like double taxation. You paid on that already when you made the money the first time. The rebate is a way of offering the item at a lower price just with a higher chance of not having to actually discount the item. When you purchase the item it's with the intention of paying the post rebate price

[Shmulie]

Sounds like double taxation. You paid on that already when you made the money the first time. The rebate is a way of offering the item at a lower price just with a higher chance of not having to actually discount the item. When you purchase the item it's with the intention of paying the post rebate price

I agree but if thats what his LOR said then thats what he should do

[ckmk47]

Does a tax receipt equal cashing out?

Not for full value. Total cash back is based on your tax rate.

[Dan]

Exactly, IIRC my Rov told me that a mail in rebate us subject to maaser.

That's very strange.  It's not like you would have paid $50 for a case of paper if not for the rebate.

In general cashback for a purchase is like getting an item on sale.  A $400 cash signup bonus would be a bigger question.

[Shmulie]

That's very strange.  It's not like you would have paid $50 for a case of paper if not for the rebate.

In general cashback for a purchase is like getting an item on sale.  A $400 cash signup bonus would be a bigger question.

I agree
But  as for the $400 signup bonus if its for offsetting the cost of an AF plus if its never actually turned into cash then i would think you dont need to give maaser on it.

[Shmulie]

1.Ok so I asked my LOR (Rabbi Reisman) this shabbos and he said that you can deduct the value of the points (how much they are actually worth in cash) from your maaser.
2. Now regarding giving maaser on your points he said that you do not have to bec of the fact that its just like a rebate and rebate are are factored into the cost.
3. We then discussed about getting bonus points for signing up and we decided that if its to offset the cost of a AF then it also is ok.

[CountValentine]

3. We then discussed about getting bonus points for signing up and we decided that if its to offset the cost of a AF then it also is ok.

You guys are killing me. 
What card offers bonus points to offset the AF?

[churnbabychurn]

You guys are killing me. 
What card offers bonus points to offset the AF?

we decided!

[Shmulie]

You guys are killing me. 
What card offers bonus points to offset the AF?

I guess CSP if you keep it passed the first year.

[CountValentine]

we decided!

Thats the part that is killing me. The things we do to justify stuff in our own minds.

[Dan]

Agree with CV here.
Also who determines the cash value.

[Moes Tavern]

Agree with CV here.
Also who determines the cash value.

it can be based on current market rates. Just like any commodity.