Government Rates - UGH!

I just got a request for a "government rate". Except that it's for personal use. Am I the only one that finds that immoral?
The government guidelines around here specify that it can only be used for government business. And I usually ask if it will be paid for using a government issued credit card.
To be 100% honest, I don't really have a government rate. So far no one has really ever been able to satisfy the requirement that it be for government business. If it ever gets to that point I will have to decide if I'm going to have a government rate. But to me, using it is absolutely corrupt, it's asking for a negotiated rate that you aren't entitled to. It's abuse of your ID. The government negotiated rate is for government business, period.

Happens to us all the time. Not only do I subsidize your job by paying taxes, now I'm supposed to subsidize your vacation as well. I find that very unethical. Some have been allowed to do so by other innkeepers, and expect everyone to do it. We just say that we have limited availability for per diem rates, define the criteria - single occupancy, no choice of room, no breakfast, no weekends - and stick to it.

It's along the lines of guests who want to 'pay cash' for a discount rate because 'you don't have to report cash s o take the lodging tax off'.
I hate to get all high and mighty on them, but I end up doing just that.

Happens here too. Sometimes in combination with business, they bring their spouse and want to extend it over the weekend.
Nice for them but either cough up the remaining amount or find another location to hang your hat.
I may give them a discount for the extended stay but it is no where near the gov. per diem rate. I have had a few (very few) take it and pay the gov. rate on their gov. card and pay the difference on their personal one.

It is immoral and I would not do it.
We have the cash for no taxes question all the time. Ain't happening here. I am not going to pay your taxes, you are.

IrisoftheWayfarer said:

It is immoral and I would not do it.
We have the cash for no taxes question all the time. Ain't happening here. I am not going to pay your taxes, you are..

Click to expand...

IrisoftheWayfarer said:

It is immoral and I would not do it.
We have the cash for no taxes question all the time. Ain't happening here. I am not going to pay your taxes, you are.

Click to expand...

I'm assuming they're thinking you won't report the cash so nobody pays the taxes.
But what they're doing is asking you to take all the risk of penalties for not paying the tax, so they can avoid paying the sales tax. It's just not worth the risk, especially if you have staff who may eventually leave you on bad terms, and turn you in!

Arkansawyer said:

IrisoftheWayfarer said:

It is immoral and I would not do it.
We have the cash for no taxes question all the time. Ain't happening here. I am not going to pay your taxes, you are..

Click to expand...

IrisoftheWayfarer said:

It is immoral and I would not do it.
We have the cash for no taxes question all the time. Ain't happening here. I am not going to pay your taxes, you are.

Click to expand...

I'm assuming they're thinking you won't report the cash so nobody pays the taxes.
But what they're doing is asking you to take all the risk of penalties for not paying the tax, so they can avoid paying the sales tax. It's just not worth the risk, especially if you have staff who may eventually leave you on bad terms, and turn you in!
.

Click to expand...

Arkansawyer said:

IrisoftheWayfarer said:

It is immoral and I would not do it.
We have the cash for no taxes question all the time. Ain't happening here. I am not going to pay your taxes, you are.

Click to expand...

I'm assuming they're thinking you won't report the cash so nobody pays the taxes.
But what they're doing is asking you to take all the risk of penalties for not paying the tax, so they can avoid paying the sales tax. It's just not worth the risk, especially if you have staff who may eventually leave you on bad terms, and turn you in!

Click to expand...

exactly and I will not put my business nor my good name in jeopardy for anyone for just a few bucks. Now, let it be a million, then I would have to think about it, lol - not!
.

I had a lady come and stay 10 night per month (this started at the end of the summer, when we start to slow down. I gave her government rate but charged her tax. I did not provide breakfast, I provided internet instead, because we pay by the GB so I don't offer it. I think we both felt like winners!

We have a Government rate! Just add 30% to your total!
What is the discount for anyway?

Well, we do have a negotiated rate for a union, but it's always single occupancy, first breakfast, etc. But we aren't listed on the government list and those rates are specifically set (and can be checked via the government's website.) I think it's completely immoral to try to use a government negotiated rate.