13.18 / Taxability of Complimentary Tickets

Effective: July 01, 1997Last Revised: August 08, 2019

  1. Purpose

    To state University policy with regard to accounting for the tax consequences of complimentary tickets made available to University employees.

  2. Policy

    1. Complimentary tickets/admissions which are made available to certain WSU employees are, with limited exceptions, considered to be taxable income to the recipient by the Internal Revenue Service.

    2. Unless the complimentary tickets/admissions are provided in specific connection with the performance of the employee's employment responsibilities, the value (at faculty/staff rates) of the tickets/admissions will be added to the employee's income base during the tax year received and the appropriate income taxes withheld.

    3. Unless the complimentary tickets/admissions are provided in connection with the performance of the employee's employment responsibilities, the benefited employee can decide not to accept the complimentary tickets/admissions.

  3. Implementation

    This policy will be distributed to appropriate University personnel for dissemination and implementation.