ethical question

a friend of mine does taxes and his season is about to start. he is interested in giving out some gift vouchers to my business to his customers.

here is the ethical part, is it ethical to ask him to only give them to those that made above x amount? Since that is private and confidential information.

I dont see a problem with that

Well I think you answer your own question, it is private and confidential information

Plus just because someone doesnt earn as much doesnt mean they cant afford your work, how many parents pay for weddings etc

Personally, I would avoid asking him to do that......IMO, it seems a little tacky at best plus you may miss out on some good customers

At least be a little more subtle about it.

"I'm sure you'll refer some good potential customers, which I appreciate."

sure, just tell him your not interested in poor people.

Ethics isn't law. There is no such thing as ethical other than in your head. What may be ethical to you may be abhorrent to someone else. Therefore, the real question should be "is it legal to give them out to those that made above x amount".

Define "poor."

Person A- Makes $200k/year and has millions in the bank because they could teach scrooge how to be a miser.

Person B- Makes $30k/year and has nothing in the bank because they blow it all on impulse purchases.

Which one do you think is more likely to spend money on your services?

After thinking about this a bit, I think what may be far more important than income would be the family make up. A single 57 year old man could make a lot of money but is highly unlikely to request a portrait session while a young family with a couple of kids who makes less, would be far more likely to hire your services. IMO, I would ask your friend to give the vouchers to people he feels would be good candidates.