Oprah Winfrey hired a CPA to make sure her audience wont have to pay extra taxes for the free trip to Australia she gave to everyone present for the premiere episode of her final season.
An audience member told
That was in contrast to another famous Oprah giveaway surprise when she announced in 2004 that everybody in the audience was getting a new car. Unfortunately, audience members also got stuck with paying gift taxes of up to $7,000.
Oprah didnt want to make the same mistake this time around and give her loyal audience members any Crocodile Dundee-size tax problems when they take their vacation trip Down Under.