As a fan of Taylor Swift, you may have been lucky enough to score tickets to one of her highly anticipated concerts. However, your plans may have changed and you might be wondering if you can give the tickets to a friend instead. Here are some quick answers to common questions around transferring or gifting Taylor Swift tickets.
Can I legally give my Taylor Swift tickets to someone else?
The short answer is yes, you can legally give your Taylor Swift tickets to a friend, family member, or anyone else as long as it’s made clear that you’re not selling the tickets for profit. However, how you go about transferring the tickets matters.
For most concerts, the tickets will say that they are “non-transferable” which means the venue doesn’t want you giving the tickets away to just anyone for security reasons. But you’re allowed to gift or sell them to friends or family. It just needs to be clear that you’re not scalping or reselling them for a profit. Make sure your friend doesn’t turn around and try selling them online though!
Are there any limits if I bought the tickets during a pre-sale?
If you bought Taylor Swift tickets during a special pre-sale for fan club members or using a special code, there may be tighter restrictions. For example, the tickets may say they can only be used by the original purchaser. So you wouldn’t legally be able to gift them to a friend.
This is because the pre-sales are designed to reward loyal fans and prevent scalpers from buying up all the tickets. So just make sure to read all the fine print if you bought the tickets in a pre-sale rather than the general public sale.
Can I gift the tickets electronically or do I need to transfer hard copies?
For most major concerts like Taylor Swift’s, the tickets will be electronic “e-tickets” connected to your name and proof of purchase. So you don’t need to physically hand over printed ticket stubs anymore.
There should be options within the ticket provider’s website or app to officially transfer the tickets to someone else electronically. You’ll need your friend’s name, email address, and other info. Follow the transfer steps carefully to make sure it goes through. Most sites charge a transfer fee too.
If your tickets are hard paper tickets, you’ll need to physically hand them off to your friend. Make sure they register the ticket transfer with the venue though in case the tickets get lost or stolen.
Do I need permission from the original ticket source to gift my tickets?
To legally gift event tickets you purchased, you usually don’t need direct permission from the original ticket seller like Ticketmaster or the concert venue. The ability to gift or transfer tickets is basically implied when you buy them.
However, it’s a good idea to understand the specific ticket seller or venue’s policies just in case. Some may require notifying them or having the recipient agree to the venue’s terms before a ticket transfer.
It never hurts to contact the ticketing company or box office directly though if you’re unsure about the process. They can explain the proper steps for ticket transfers to make sure it’s all legitimate.
What if I already personalized the tickets with my name?
Many major concert tickets now come personalized with the buyer’s name printed on them. This is done as an anti-scalping measure to prevent reselling.
If your Taylor Swift tickets are already personalized to you, don’t worry — you should still be able to gift them. Just make sure to formally transfer them to your friend and notify the venue of the name change.
The new recipient will probably need to show their photo ID matching the new name at the entrance for verification. But as long as you follow the right transfer procedures, personalized tickets can still be gifted.
Can I post about giving away tickets on social media?
It’s generally fine to post on your personal social media pages that you’re giving Taylor Swift tickets away to a friend or family member. However, be careful about openly offering to transfer tickets to strangers online.
Most venues don’t allow promoting ticket transfers where you don’t know the recipient. This is to prevent potentially fraudulent activity. Check the venue or ticket seller’s policies first before posting any public offers online.
A safer option is to privately message friends first to see if anyone is interested. And remove the post after the fact so it doesn’t appear you’re scalping the tickets.
Is there a time limit for when I can gift Taylor Swift tickets?
There isn’t necessarily a firm time limit for gifting away tickets. But it’s best to do it as far in advance of the event as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute!
For one thing, transferring tickets electronically can take some time for processing. And mailing paper tickets also takes a few days. You want to make sure your friend has plenty of time to receive and register the tickets properly in their name.
Plus, gifting tickets earlier shows that you truly intend just to give them away rather than scalp them. Venues may get suspicious of last-minute transfers right before a sold out event.
Should I notify the venue after gifting my tickets?
It’s always a good idea to contact the concert venue or box office after gifting your tickets to alert them in case any issues come up later. Knowing you formally transferred the tickets provides helpful documentation.
Let them know the original purchaser name (you) and new recipient name. Have the ticket details handy like section, row, and seat numbers. They may need to fully register the transfer in their system and can also confirm if there are any other requirements.
Key Details to Share with the Venue
- Original purchaser name (your name)
- New ticket holder name (friend’s name)
- Date of transfer
- Ticket section, row, and seat numbers
Following up just gives the venue a heads up in a polite, transparent way. This way they already have a record that you legally gifted the tickets.
Are there tax implications for gifting tickets?
There are no federal gift tax implications for gifting event tickets to a friend or family member. The IRS allows you to give up to $15,000 per year to someone else without needing to report it or pay gift taxes.
Just don’t try selling the tickets above face value or you could have potential tax issues from scalping. Strictly gifting tickets is not taxable though.
The person receiving the tickets may need to pay sales tax when registering them depending on state law. But that would be the only tax obligation in most cases.
Can I take any charitable tax deduction for donating tickets?
If you choose to donate Taylor Swift tickets to a 501(c)(3) charitable organization instead, you may be able to take a tax deduction on your federal return.
The deductible amount would be the fair market value of the tickets, similar to donating other non-cash assets. Be sure to get a formal acknowledgement letter from the charity stating they received the gifted tickets.
Meet with your tax advisor to discuss saving receipts and other documentation in order to claim the charitable deduction properly.
Conclusion
Gifting event tickets to a friend or family member can be a nice gesture. Just be sure to transfer any Taylor Swift tickets officially through the venue or ticketing site. Notify them as well after the fact. This ensures you stay compliant with ticket policies and avoid any problems down the line.