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CHICAGO -- People who got brand new cars in a surprise giveaway on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" are finding out that those vehicles aren't exactly free.
The 276 audience members who received Pontiac G-Sixes on Winfrey's show will need to come up with thousands of dollars to cover taxes on their winnings.
Pontiac agreed to pay most of the local charges, including state sales tax and licensing fees.
But the hitch is that each winner must report the car's $28,500 value as income and pay taxes on it -- which could add up to more than $7,000.
Some recipients say it's still a good deal. Winner Tiffany Self -- a Wheaton College employee -- points out that it isn't often that you can get a brand new car for $7,000.
The 276 audience members who received Pontiac G-Sixes on Winfrey's show will need to come up with thousands of dollars to cover taxes on their winnings.
Pontiac agreed to pay most of the local charges, including state sales tax and licensing fees.
But the hitch is that each winner must report the car's $28,500 value as income and pay taxes on it -- which could add up to more than $7,000.
Some recipients say it's still a good deal. Winner Tiffany Self -- a Wheaton College employee -- points out that it isn't often that you can get a brand new car for $7,000.
