N.O. trip

[jim_becker]

Here is a trip report from New Orleans - Harrahs

We have not been to New Orleans before this trip and from what we
gathered, you dont want to visit anytime outside of November to
February. It was very warm and very humid, and everyone told us that
we should be glad that the humidity was down. We are from St. Louis
and thought we knew about humidity but I guess we dont know as much as
New Orleanians..... oh the VP. From the data base we knew that there
were only 2 games to play, 9-6 JOB, or NSUD. We played NSUD and there
were plenty of .25 triple plays, but we didnt take much of a liking to
them, I tried my hand a .25 9 line Spinpoker and everyone else kept
telling me how great they just did, or were doing on the other
machine, but it just like eating my bills pretty much as fast as I
wanted to feed them in. So off to the high limit for the $1 triple
play machines. It was a quite area but very well staffed for those
that were hitting the taxable payouts (not me), but on the first night
I did manage a set of dueces to bring me back to even. I talked with
a host on duty, who was extremely helpful and friendly, and made me
feel very welcome. Day two, we walked to Frenchtown and saw the
sites, (dont want to be there during mardi gras) and had a nice day,
then played some more triple play and got killed. Went to diner at
Besh's Steakhouse, very good food and atmosphere, but also very busy
and NOISY. After diner we both tried our hand at the triple play and
Kelli (who has been in a slump) managed to hit dueces twice, and we
were slightly ahead for the trip. Day 3, off to the Garden district
for a walking tour, very nice day (humid) but well worth the time and
sweat, had a knowledgeble tour guide and really enjoyed the afternoon.
Went to VIP services to get help with diner reservations and try as
they might, not much luck at any of the requested/popular
destinations. But they said just go to Emeril's and sit at the bar
and you can order off the regular menu. Harrah's will comp you at any
of thier partner resturaunts (if you have the points) and we had a
wonderful meal at the bar (again Noisy). Ended up back at the triple
play machines and held our own and ended the trip ahead after all the
little extras and are home safe and sound.
Overall it is a nice place to visit, but there is nothing like good
ole Vegas. By the way, one guest did tell me that Louisiana takes a
6% non refundable state tax out of all taxables? This would make $1
and up not very attractive, does anyone know the tax rules for sure.
It seems you have to be careful about what states you play in these days.

Jim & Kelli

[eecounter]

By the way, one guest did tell me that Louisiana takes a

6% non refundable state tax out of all taxables? This would make $1
and up not very attractive, does anyone know the tax rules for sure.
It seems you have to be careful about what states you play in these

days.

Unlike Mississippi, which really does have an explicit non-refundable
3% state income tax on W2-G events, I don't think this is technically
true for Louisiana, but effectively it's probably close to the same
end result.

Unless something has drastically changed recently, here is my
understanding of what would happen to a non-resident who hits a
taxable jackpot in Louisiana. (Disclaimer: I am not an accountant.)

1. The state would keep 6% of your winnings when you hit the jackpot,
which I believe represents the highest bracket of LA state income tax
rates.
2. If you want ANY of this back, you would have to file a non-
resident income tax form at the end of the year.
3. You would fill out the form and have to go through the typical
ratio calculations for non-residents, where you figure out how much
of your total income was earned in Louisiana (most likely = to your
W2-G winnings).
4. You would NOT - repeat NOT be able to offset this with your
losses, because LA, like several other states, does not allow anyone
to offset their income with Federal itemized deductions.
5. Therefore, your liability would esentially be based on the total
of your W2-G winnings, less a few piddling offsetting amounts that
are allowed on the tax form.
6. One or two $4000 royals would not likely put you into the highest
state income tax bracket, so in reality you might be taxed at a rate
of maybe 2% or 3% (just a guess). You should be able to get a refund
of the difference between your calculated state income tax and the 6%
that was originally withheld.
7. If your own state also has an income tax, you may be able to get a
credit for income tax paid to other states, in which case you aren't
really out anything in most cases. You would probably have to attach
a copy of the LA non-resident return to your local state income tax
for to claim this.

Note: All of the above assumes that you don't file Schedule C as a
professional gambler.

EE

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--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "jimnkelli" <jbecker11@c...> wrote: