Apparently, Oscar Nominees Will Have to Pay $63K in Taxes for Their Swag Gift Bags
Gulp.


When you're famous, you get a ton of free stuff.
But when someone coined the phrase "don't look a gift horse in the mouth," they clearly weren't aware of how exactly the Oscars go down.
Here's the thing: All Oscars nominees get given an extremely luxurious gift bag. This year's was put together by a company called Distinctive Assets, and was named "Everybody Wins." The concept seems to be that if you don't win a gold statuette, at least you get to go on a *checks notes* prepaid three-night trip to Canada.
But while that's kind of a nice idea to begin with, it turns out these free gifts are anything but free. According to math done by the kind people at Forbes, the 2023 gift bag—whose retail value comes in at around $126k—could incur an IRS tax bill of $46,620, and (for California residents) a state tax bill of around $16k, for a total of $63,378, i.e. more than many people's annual salary. For a bunch of gifts they probably don't even want anyway. It's like if those tote bags and bouncy balls university student clubs give you turned out to be taxable income, but fancy.
That's one gift horse recipients would have done well to look squarely in the mouth, if you ask me.
Ironically, the founder of Distinctive Assets said in a press release, "While this gift bag does, as always, have an impressive value, that is neither our focus nor goal. This is a straightforward win/win.
"These nominees are in a unique position to help participating brands immeasurably by simply wearing, using and talking about these products. Marketing and advertising can and must co-exist with the ever-present reporting of bad news globally. This isn't frivolity; it is basic economics."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Anyway, if you'd like to determine for yourself whether the contents of the "Everybody Wins" bag are worth shelling out the price of a Range Rover for, here are a few of the items that were in it: a vacation on an Italian island, but also microwave popcorn kernels from Opopop; facial rejuvenation procedures from Dr. Konstantin Vasyukevich, but also C60 Sexy edible massage oil. ???
I highly recommend checking out the full list, if you have a few minutes.

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
These New Cartier Watch Styles Are Suited for Summer
Elegance takes flight.
-
Royal Chef Reveals Why Queen Elizabeth Was "Very Frugal"
Instead of "caviar and foie gras," simple "comfort food" reigned supreme.
-
Emily Ratajowski Boards the Burberry Bikini Bandwagon
The tartan two-piece claimed another It girl.
-
Taylor Swift's Ex Just Teased His Interest in Playing the Next James Bond at 2025 Oscars
With speculation swirling about who could take over the iconic role, Joe Alywn told a red carpet reporter how he felt about playing the character.
-
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet Kiss and Snap Selfies During Loved-Up Oscars Date Night
The duo finished out awards season on a high note.
-
Ariana Grande Teases a New Album Drop on Oscars Red Carpet: "Keep Your Eyes Peeled"
"The next step is...It means it must come out."
-
Timothée Chalamet Held Hands With Someone Other Than Kylie Jenner on the Oscars 2025 Red Carpet—Here's Who He Brought With Him
Looks like Timmy's got two dates.
-
Jeff Goldblum Teases How Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Will "Devastate" Fans in Wicked Sequel
"I don't want to be a tattletale or a spoiler."
-
How Zendaya’s 2015 Oscars Look Paved the Way for The CROWN Act
"That one instance went on to actually change the way Black people’s hair was accepted in schools and the workplace."
-
Halle Berry Is "Eternally Miffed" She's the Only Black Woman to Win the Best Actress Oscar
"I'm continually saddened by that year after year."
-
Nicole Kidman Talks Kissing Batman, "Hardcore Horror" Movies, and Feeling "Really Deeply"
"The thing people don't understand is, it's not about the check."