Ready with that tax return?
Whether you’re writing a check to Uncle Sam this year or he’s writing one to you, the stress of preparing your taxes may leave you yearning for a vacation, but fretting over your travel budget.
Help is on the way.
Some hotels and restaurants around the country are coming to the rescue with special Tax Day promotions that include carefully calculated deals and rewarding rate reductions.
You have until midnight April 16th to take advantage of the “Tax Break” special for weekend stays at participating Starwood hotels in the New York City area.
The deal provides weary taxpayers 15 percent rate discounts on stays that include Thursday to Sunday arrival dates through May 31, 2015 at W New York, W New York – Downtown, W New York – Times Square, W New York – Union Square, W Hoboken, Sheraton New York Times Square, Sheraton Tribeca, The Westin Grand Central and The Westin Jersey City.
Those checking into those hotels on Tax Day – April 15 – may also request the Tax Break discount rate and cash in on special perks being offered by some of the hotels.
For example, W Hotels guests will receive a piggy bank; guests at the Sheraton New York Times Square will receive a $25 Macy’s gift card, two complimentary drinks during Sheraton Social Hour and a Pay Day candy bar; and guests at the Sheraton Tribeca will be able to nibble on complimentary Pay Day, 100 Grand and Sugar Daddy candy bars.
On April 15, Portland, Oregon’s Hotel Monaco will offer complimentary chair massages during the nightly wine hour along with free champagne (for toasting refunds) and chocolates (to console those who owe money.) The adjacent Red Star Tavern will be serving specialty cocktails for $4.15 and buying one of those drinks for any guest who shows proof that they had to pay taxes this year.
The Tax Break Package at the Hotel Monaco Chicago waives the city’s hefty 16.4 percent occupancy and lodging taxes on room rates throughout the month of April. And on April 15, the food tax on bills at the hotel’s South Water Kitchen will also be waived. On Tax Day the front desk will also be handing out Pay Day and 100 Grand candy bars.
Travelers will also find Tax Day deals at some restaurants around the county.
Boston Market is offering diners a buy one/get one free meal deal on April 15 and, for those who want to explore the barter economy, on April 15 participating Hard Rock Café locations will host a Sing For Your Supper event and give a free Local Legendary Burger to diners willing to get up and sing a song on stage.
(My story about Tax Day Deals for travelers first appeared on CNBC)
