Seriously. He's dual enrolled and the college sent him a $560 check with no explanation other than "REFUND". I just got off the phone with the college and they got COVID relief money from the government. The woman on the phone had no clue where the government got the money, but I digress. The college decided every dual enrolled student should get $560 whether they applied for it or not and whether they needed it or not. I looked it up and this is a nationwide thing.

I want to have a family discussion about it, but I'm having trouble putting coherent thoughts together. He didn't earn it, didn't ask for it, doesn't need it. Since he has yet to get a job or pay taxes, it can't even be considered a return of money he paid in. He's my son, a minor, and nobody has any business sending him money for any reason without talking to me.

What say you? How do I explain this in a calm, logical fashion?

Pretty much just like you explained it here: Didn't ask for it, doesn't need it, and not a taxpayer so he can't look at it as a "refund".

Add your views on the government pissing money away.

OTOH, I doubt there's a way to send it back, so tuck it in his tuition fund.

You can certainly take it if he's a minor or help him invest it or spend it wisely but I think it's a bit of an overreaction to say nobody can send him money without asking you.

Is the money poorly spent by the government, probably. But that's not what youre asking.

Anybody can send my kids money if they want, what exactly is wrong with that aspect of it?

we got a few of these

had the conversation -- going into their IRAs

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quote:

Anybody can send my kids money if they want, what exactly is wrong with that aspect of it?

I mean, it would be one thing if it was an Aunt sending a check or card with a Benjamin in it as a birthday present, but this is a totally different kind of, ummm, "Uncle"...

quote:

How do I explain this in a calm, logical fashion?

Who do you need to explain it to? Smells like outright vote buying to me.

There are any number of conservative PACs and 2A rights organizations who would be delighted to have the windfall passed on to them (based on the daily e-mails I get begging for money).

Do you all not pay tuition at said school???
It is a refund on tuition because they got money from elsewhere and adjusted the budget accordingly.

I see no current issue.
Not taking into account what all these .gov handouts will do/are doing to the economy.

Use the money to teach about proper spending/saving and prepping for what is pretty much inevitable in the future economy.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Do you all not pay tuition at said school???
It is a refund on tuition because they got money from elsewhere and adjusted the budget accordingly.

I see no current issue.
Not taking into account what all these .gov handouts will do/are doing to the economy.

Use the money to teach about proper spending/saving and prepping for what is pretty much inevitable in the future economy.

Ditto.

Put it in his Covid IRA for the increase in taxes or Covid fees or vaccine avoidance tax that are inevitable.

Explain to him that there is no such thing as FREE money.

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:

quote:

Anybody can send my kids money if they want, what exactly is wrong with that aspect of it?

I mean, it would be one thing if it was an Aunt sending a check or card with a Benjamin in it as a birthday present, but this is a totally different kind of, ummm, "Uncle"...

Around here, even the hardware store and barber shop look me in the eye and ask my permission before giving my kids a piece of candy. Where’s the picture of Biden driving in the white van marked free shit when you need it? It’s an end run around parents to buy their children off early.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Do you all not pay tuition at said school???

Not a single penny. He’s in collegiate high school. As a high school sophomore, he takes 2 college classes this year. As a HS junior, next year he’ll be taking a full load of freshman college classes at the college. As a HS senior, he’ll be taking a full load of sophomore college classes. He’ll graduate with a HS diploma and AA college degree. He’ll be able to transfer to any 4-year, public school in Florida as a Junior. His tuition is paid by the local school district and taken out of the district’s budget since he doesn’t attend the local high school.

I completely get it. Where many here do not. Which is a bit disturbing, but not surprising. If you guys go camping. Sit around the fire one night having somewhat of a deep discussion about things and this time in our nations history. Toss it in the fire after he understands. It will be the most impactful experience for him moving forward imho.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I completely get it. Where many here do not. Which is a bit disturbing, but not surprising. If you guys go camping. Sit around the fire one night having somewhat of a deep discussion about things and this time in our nations history. Toss it in the fire after he understands. It will be the most impactful experience for him moving forward imho.

I hope you're kidding . That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard . Donate the money to St. Jude's Hospital if you don't want to keep it .

I'd take this as an opportunity to discuss the government's wasteful spending and the potential for vote pandering. You and your neighbors paid taxes, some of which went to your school district, who in turn used some of that money to pay for his college education.

There is no free money. Your son is smart, he'll understand; he will eventually pay that back and much more in the future.


I would not toss that in the fire. I'd either put it towards his future college expenses or give it to charity.

It isn’t local money. It’s federal COVID relief money given directly to the college as a part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund that is part of the Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. It’s nationwide.

We’re definitely not keeping it, but it’ll be his decision. Burning it isn’t a bad idea, except I’ll probably have to claim the income on my tax return. Donating it would be better because I could offset the income with the charitable contribution.

My 13yo daughter is chomping at the bit to turn 14 so she can apply at Publix. She doesn’t do sports and a 97% in one class last quarter wasn’t good enough, so she’s going to get all 100s this quarter. The 15yo isn’t thinking about jobs yet, he’s focused on grades, swimming, and volunteer work. All of which will help with college and scholarships. I like to think my wife and I are doing a good job. The last thing we need is the government’s "free” money screwing it up.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
We’re definitely not keeping it, but it’ll be his decision. Burning it isn’t a bad idea, except I’ll probably have to claim the income on my tax return. Donating it would be better because I could offset the income with the charitable contribution.

At $560, I doubt you'll have to claim it.
1. It's less than the $600 1099 threshold
2. It wasn't actually issued with your name on it.

I wonder if the gov. Will turn this “free money” refund will show up on your taxes? And then taxed?
Sorry stoic-one. Our posts are 1 min. Apart.

quote:

nobody has any business sending him money for any reason without talking to me

First world problem, sending relatives cash!

Now, being serious. Things being what they are, with the people in power unhinged from reality, they are throwing money around with no thought to repayment, expecting adult supervision to come in later and pay for it (and take the political heat.)

So, it's a 'teachable moment' - explain to your son that it is money the USG borrowed to give to him, for which he will be taxed for later, with interest, to repay.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
Seriously. He's dual enrolled and the college sent him a $560 check with no explanation other than "REFUND". I just got off the phone with the college and they got COVID relief money from the government. The woman on the phone had no clue where the government got the money, but I digress. The college decided every dual enrolled student should get $560 whether they applied for it or not and whether they needed it or not. I looked it up and this is a nationwide thing.

I want to have a family discussion about it, but I'm having trouble putting coherent thoughts together. He didn't earn it, didn't ask for it, doesn't need it. Since he has yet to get a job or pay taxes, it can't even be considered a return of money he paid in. He's my son, a minor, and nobody has any business sending him money for any reason without talking to me.

What say you? How do I explain this in a calm, logical fashion?

Lighten up. You are the dad, he is fifteen. Put the money in an account for him for later.

Getting all pissy about someone sending him money without asking you is silly. Of course anyone can send him money without asking you. There is no such rule.

I understand it represents a bad government spending decision. Talk about that. Although, I will hand it to the school for distributing it to the students. Perhaps it has no choice.

And it isn't income. It wasn't given to you either. It isn't taxable, and it certainly isn't taxable to you.

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I completely get it. Where many here do not. Which is a bit disturbing, but not surprising. If you guys go camping. Sit around the fire one night having somewhat of a deep discussion about things and this time in our nations history. Toss it in the fire after he understands. It will be the most impactful experience for him moving forward imho.

I hope you're kidding . That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard . Donate the money to St. Jude's Hospital if you don't want to keep it .

No shit. Put it to good use if you don't want it.