2013 Reseating Changes

[ZiggysFryBoy]

The new PR firm musta told em to release this sh!t on a Monday, not Friday.

[Mods, Delete me please. 8/26/2020]

Has anyone asked what MU's motivation might be for picking seats (heh) for us?   Before everyone has their periods over this thing, maybe we should ask ourselves this question?   I would think that there is no possible reason for MU to do this with the current system working so well other than to maintain charitable deduction status for the season ticket holders, AS THEY HAVE SAID.   Could it be that MU is actually protecting the interests of it's season ticket holders by adjusting in the least invasive way possible to new state and federal laws regarding charitable contributions?   I for one would not be contributing as much as I do for my seats if that 80% write-off went away (yes, I am an admitted a-hole who doesnt care what charity this cash goes to as long as I get my rad seats).   So maybe we give them the benefit of the doubt on this thing for now?

[mu03eng]

Has anyone asked what MU's motivation might be for picking seats (heh) for us?   Before everyone has their periods over this thing, maybe we should ask ourselves this question?   I would think that there is no possible reason for MU to do this with the current system working so well other than to maintain charitable deduction status for the season ticket holders, AS THEY HAVE SAID.   Could it be that MU is actually protecting the interests of it's season ticket holders by adjusting in the least invasive way possible to new state and federal laws regarding charitable contributions?   I for one would not be contributing as much as I do for my seats if that 80% write-off went away (yes, I am an admitted a-hole who doesnt care what charity this cash goes to as long as I get my rad seats).   So maybe we give them the benefit of the doubt on this thing for now?

Could you show me where in the events of the last couple of years we should assume they have our best interests at heart?

[Mods, Delete me please. 8/26/2020]

Could you show me where in the events of the last couple of years we should assume they have our best interests at heart?

Marquette Gold?

[4everwarriors]

What's the big shock here? Marquette has never been pro-choice.

[mu_hilltopper]

Marquette has requirements to report the tax deductibility of your donation back to you or else they can lose their non-profit status.

Hey, this is an internet forum, there's no place for your facts!

[MerrittsMustache]

The administration probably figured that alums are already on their case about the sexual assault allegations, Buzz to SMU, Larry-Buzz riff, 720, in-season suspensions, off-season suspensions, higher athlete academic standards, etc so they figure that the best thing to do is mess with reseating to make sure that they p!ss off the remaining fans who have stood by their school. That's really the only logical explanation. 

[Gato78]

This is all on the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. MU has been dealing with this for a couple of years, trying not to have to make the change. As stated, the question is the deductibility of the donation versus whether it is a taxable (sales tax) transaction. MU has no option and no control over the situation. No one is happy about it, fans or MU admins but there is nothing that can be done about it.

[brewcity77]

Spent about 20-30 minutes talking to Joe True tonight about the changes. I'm out right now, but I'll get the gist of what he told me posted in the morning.

[Dr. Blackheart]

This is all on the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. MU has been dealing with this for a couple of years, trying not to have to make the change. As stated, the question is the deductibility of the donation versus whether it is a taxable (sales tax) transaction. MU has no option and no control over the situation. No one is happy about it, fans or MU admins but there is nothing that can be done about it.

 

So as a non~resident of Wisconsin, will MU offer me a form for a rebate like when I travel to Europe or Asia with the VAT?   The California Circuit Court wouldn't even allow this nonsense on an allowable federal income tax deduction.  About as federally unconstitutional as you can get.

[mu_hilltopper]

Somebody call the Governor. 

[Untucked]

Any of you homos touch my seats, I'll kill you.

400 C 5-6.  (I sit in 6 so I can spend time with my good friend Jack, Arts '69.)

lighten up Francis

[🏀]

This is all on the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. MU has been dealing with this for a couple of years, trying not to have to make the change. As stated, the question is the deductibility of the donation versus whether it is a taxable (sales tax) transaction. MU has no option and no control over the situation. No one is happy about it, fans or MU admins but there is nothing that can be done about it.

If it is on the DOR, then say it. Explain it. These situations could be easily handled with some explanation.

Looking forward to brew's discussion with True.

[Dr. Blackheart]

If it is on the DOR, then say it. Explain it. These situations could be easily handled with some explanation.

Looking forward to brew's discussion with True.

+1.  The DOR is going to make the claim I bet that this is a PSL and they want to collect the tax on your seat.  When this is federally protected under IRS laws.  MU's work around is yearly and they pick.  Very difficult to explain and the state's basis for this is flimsy.  Like to see the Badger fans' reactions to this.

[brewcity77]

First of all, and I'm sure this is of little consolation, this PDF wasn't supposed to be leaked yesterday. The PDF is currently at the printer and was supposed to be mailed out along with an explanatory letter this week.

Second, I went through the three threads about this and tried to address any questions not included in the first bit of this post below. So if I don't address something in the next 2 paragraphs, scroll down and look through the various topics. I'm sure I will repeat myself in here, but better to make sure I pass on as much as I can than not explain enough.

As far as the taxable nature of this, this is Wisconsin State Department of Revenue. Joe said that the IRS had nothing to do with this as far as he is aware. The reason for the change is if you are able to pick your exact seats, you are effectively purchasing something with your charitable donation. Because of that, this change will only affect people that buy seats with automatic charitable donations. That includes the lower bowl and the center sections upstairs. People purchasing seats that do not have an automatic charitable donation (such as the wings upstairs and the upstairs baseline sections) you will still be able to pick individual seats as before.

Regarding how picking will work, Marquette is planning a seminar or something along that line to go through the process. But here's what I gather: when your slot comes up, you will be able to fill out the new form. If you want to guarantee aisle seats, he advised picking a section and row where there are still 14 seats available as aisles generally go first. At this point, I highly recommend the seminar because I have a feeling it will be the best way to answer questions. However, Joe also asked me to contact him with any questions, so pass whatever on and I'll try to get answers and get them posted. Suffice to say that calls yesterday didn't go unnoticed...he called me around 9:00 last night

Going through this thread and looking at specific questions and issues that were raised, here's what I learned:

mu03eng Regarding Badger fans not having the same policy: They may not have it yet, but as this is a state law, they will also have to institute it, as will UW-Milwaukee and UW-Green Bay.

PTM Regarding the ease of the process for Marquette: MU isn't happy because this will be a lot more work for them. Joe said they loved the online picking system and having got used to it, it was very easy for them as all they did was field the occasional question. The new rules will make a lot more work for them as they have to pick seats for 80% of the STHs every year.

MUfan12 Regarding "charitable status donations": Marquette will not be changing donation requirements based on this law. I am sure seat prices will continue to go up, but this won't be the reason for it.

Brewtown Andy, mu03eng, MUfan12 Regarding the current system: The website worked fine and Marquette was very happy with the results; they would continue to use it if they could. The new interface will be a lot more work and hassle for the B&G Fund.

Dr. Blackheart Regarding changing preferences based on available seats: In the past, you had to pick your specific seats when your slot opened up. This will work similarly, in that you will submit your preferences when your slot opens up. Those preferences will be able to be pretty specific, from Joe's description. If you want the aisle closest to center court, you can request that. Center aisle, you can request that. Same seats as last year, you can request that. Sitting next to another STH, you can request that.

mu_hilltopper Regarding them allowing you and your accountant to figure it out: Really sounds like they can't call it a charitable donation without picking the seats for you. I asked for the specific tax codes and Joe said he'd email me information. Now the only problem is figuring out which email I have that stuff routed to...

5YearsatMU, jsglow Regarding sitting by your sister/classmate or keeping the same seats: All of those can be requested in the preferences, as mentioned above.

Sultan Regarding the DOR requirement to reseat every year vs Marquette picking your specific seats: Again, the big thing is that if you get to pick exact seats, the DOR sees it as using your charitable donation to purchase something. The sense I got last night was that if they had their way, Marquette would just pick all the seats. This system allows them to comply while still getting you as close (section, row) to exactly what you want, and then inferring from your preferences further what you want. It really sounds like both the annual reseating and the picking of exact seats are something Marquette had to do to be compliant with the DOR.

WI_inferiority_complexes Regarding getting aisle seats for your kids: This is definitely a tough one. If you want to guarantee aisle seats, when your slot comes up, pick a row and section with 12 or more seats left. That way you will be guaranteed to be on an aisle. Or if you are happy with your current aisle seats, just say "same seats". Aisle seats almost always go first, so if you see a row with 8 seats left, they will likely be in the middle.

Skatastrophy Regarding going down to the Al: I'll be curious to see how this helps. I imagine they'll be able to give you more direct feedback on what's available. At least for year one, I imagine this is how I'll be handling my reseating slot too.

Dr. Blackheart Regarding why this was posted to the website before being sent out: Sounds like simple human error, though I agree that's a bit distressing. Another gaffe in Marquette's PR machine. All Joe could really say to explain that was it wasn't supposed to be posted. When it was, and when the backlash started (the message board outrage coupled with phone calls was why he called me last night), he said they were prepared in that the letter from Broeker was already ready to go, which is why they re-posted that shortly thereafter. But I agree that there have been too many slip-ups, and this is another. Letters in the mail would have been much better, at least we would have had a bit of explanation along with it.

MUunderpants Regarding MU's motivation for this: You hit it pretty much on the head. Both for Marquette to maintain non-profit status and for us to continue being able to get an 80% write-off on the charitable donation, this had to be done.

Dr. Blackheart Regarding non-WI residents: I think the issue here is that Marquette has to follow WI DOR laws because they are located in Wisconsin. No matter where the purchaser is, they still need to maintain their non-profit status based on our laws. However, I will be curious to see the Bucky reaction to all this, because from what Joe said, everyone will have to go to this type of system.

MayorBeluga Regarding the DOR forcing MU to choose your seats: Pretty sure I covered this above, but it largely comes down to using your donation to make a PSL purchase. In the eyes of the WI DOR, if you can pick your exact seat, you are buying that seat under the auspices of a "charitable donation", and because you are buying it, you shouldn't be able to write it off.

CaribouJim Regarding splitting up your section: One of the preference options will be "same seats", so if you and the people around you like the section, you can stay there provided no one bumps you out before your choice comes up.

BuzzWilliams4Pres Regarding the status of the points system: The points system will still be intact. In the past, when your point level was reached, a slot opened up and you were able to pick your seats. Now, a slot will open up and you will be able to submit your preferences. I am not sure how they will handle tiebreakers, but Joe did say that if people were equal, the preferences would be considered based on submission time. So if the B&G fund had you and I exactly equal on points and all other considerations and we both submitted the same preferences, they would take whichever of us submitted our preferences first based on the Internet time stamp.

MU_Iceman Regarding the seating process for non-seat fee STHs: If you pick a seat in a section that does not require a donation seating fee, you will not be affected. If you pick in 425, for example, you will still be able to pick your exact seats. This change is only affecting those with seats that have automatic donation requirements.

And if anyone has any other questions, please PM me or ask in these threads and I'll pass them on to Joe. Probably easier to send a mass email to address multiple things.

[real chili 83]

I bet they don't have to do this at ND!  

Yah, I am just being a smart a$$.  

Seriously, Brew, thanks for the EXTENSIVE effort for your fellow scoopers.  Well done.

[GGGG]

Wow.  So the WI DOR requirement is more strict than the IRS's???  That is absurd. 

[Skatastrophy]

You're awesome for taking the time to write that all up, brewcity.  Thanks a ton

[4everwarriors]

Slow night at the firehouse?

[warriorchick]

Wow.  So the WI DOR requirement is more strict than the IRS's???  That is absurd.  

Head of the WDOR must be a Domer. It's the perfect Evil Plan. Screw with Marquette Fans (and throw in Badger fans for good measure) without affecting ND fans.

[jsglow]

lighten up Francis

'Bout time! 

[Litehouse]

I thought this was basically the reason we could only deduct 80% of the donation.  I would like to see the reasoning of why we can't take the full deduction now with having to jump through all these hoops.

p.s. Thanks Brewcity for all the leg work.

[mu_hilltopper]

The mandatory donations have "only" been around since (I think) 2005. 

Checking the way back machine:
2003: $434, $386, $354- lower bowl tickets
2005: Lower bowl: $448 or $504, donations start, can't breakdown, think it's $150/$100/$50
2007: Entire lower bowl  $600 per year, plus donation, think it's $250/$150/$50
2008: Entire lower bowl  $600 per year, plus donation, think it's $250/$150/$50
2010: Entire Lower bowl, $570, plus $375, $225, $75, $50 donation
2011: Entire Lower bowl, $570, plus $375, $225, $75, $50 donation
2012: Entire lower bowl: $570, plus $500, $300, $100, $50 donation

Wow, they are really crushing the middle sections, this year the donations went way up. 

Back in 2005 .. $1000 for a pair in the corner.  Now those same seats are $1340, a 34% increase in 7 years.

Middle sections in 2005- $1300 .. now its $2,140, up 64%.  Wow.  Man, those middle section prices are high.

[Mods, Delete me please. 8/26/2020]

I would like to see the reasoning of why we can't take the full deduction now with having to jump through all these hoops.

That one is on the IRS.   If you make a payment to a University and receive a benefit in return (tickets) you can deduct 80% of the charitable donation -- that is for the donation ONLY, not the price of the ticket.   This is nothing new and has been on the books for years.  

[axaguy]

There are quite a few posts here regarding the seat selection issue but many more "silent" unposted thoughts from other ticket holders. Has the consideration been given to those fans that might simply "give up" their seats and leave without having to be subjected to this "new"system?

Reseating each year isn't as big an issue as the seat selection, where ever anyone sat. Downstairs or upstairs. Many of us like where we sit and want to sit where we want to sit, plain and simple.
If I can't be guaranteed my choice, actually for a specific reason, I'll just give up my tickets and MU will lose a fan. I guess with new students coming in each year and new graduates going out each year they'll easily find replacements for me so who cares. Right?

On the fence for a lot of reasons. Need to assess the actual details when presented and make my choices. I live in Chicago and could be saving a lot of gas money and travel time, too. Wouldn't miss the "white knuckler" driving on snowy nights, either......hmmmmmmmmm.