When Bad People Do Good Things
Filed under: Anglophilia > Inspiration > Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell may not be known as a great philanthropist, but it seems like the witty and sarcastic American Idol judge does have a soft spot underneath that hard exterior.
Cowell was a guest Monday on Oprah, and during the show they mentioned a good deed that the mean spirited judge did.
Oprah's Big Give show is all about helping those in need and that's just what Cowell decided to do.
A couple, Randy and Amy Stoen, were struggling daily in order to travel more than 100 miles from their home each day so their daughter could receive treatment. The young girl, Madeline, is struggling with a life-threatening cancer.
Cowell decided to alleviate some of the stress and burden the family is dealing with and paid off their mortgage!!!
He said "I never knew that doing good could feel so good."
Cowell paid over $162,000 to cover the family's debt.
And, hey, it's a tax write-off for him! Right? And he got to announce it on Oprah!
[Image via WENN.]
You don't get tax deductions for making gifts to individuals, only to tax-exempt organizations.
Re: LEC –
Yeah, I used to live in Claremont, and have family that still does. No way 100 miles. Still a wonderful things has been done for a local family. Thank goodness that they are so close to Mayo to be able to still live at home and get world class treatment.
Personally, I give Simon Cowell credit for being generous when could have bought a Bentley with that money! Good things will come to him.
However, I used to love Oprah, but the irony is that when she does good things like give money, toys and other things for those that are unfortuneate, especially in that stupid waste of time that is her show, she will still be making $100,000.00 an hour (commericals, grants, ratings from ABC, etc.) She will still be milking it, feeding her cocker spaniels filet miginon in her huge estate
while we are wondering how we are going to pay our mortgages and getting food. SHE IS A FAKE "PHILANTROPHIST". Stop supporting people like her.
Actually, I don't think it is a write-off… but don't really think that Simon would care if it was. Think what you want, but I KNOW that Simon has a very philanthropic heart and he has worked quietly, behind the scenes, for many charities and other organizations. He truly IS a nice man, the "bad boy" persona is totally for the shows he does. Good job, Simon…. and prayers for that beautiful little girl and her family.
This doesn't surprise me from him! A noble gesture.
Simon, please pay off my mortgage too!!
Not to take anything away from his good deed but he would have looked slightly selfish flashing his million dollar car on Oprah if he hadn't chipped in to help this very, very needy family. Best wishes to Madeline and her family….praying for a miracle…..
if it's a direct, personal payment to a person, it's not a tax write-off. we bought more than a few thousands of dollars worth of christmas gifts for a family we met through the salvation army this past holiday season. we received no tax breaks or write-offs for our gift. sometimes, a gift is just a gift.
(btw, if you have the resources, the salvation army's "adopt'-a-family" program for christmas is wonderful. i know there are politics and intense personal beliefs for and against the salvation army, but with this program, the salvation army is an excellent liaison between the haves and the have nots.)
Actually, unless the couple set up a nonprofit corporation and Cowell paid the mortgage via sending money to the nonprofit and then the nonprofit paying off the mortgage, then he won't get to write it off. The IRS charitable deduction is much stricter than it used to be.
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