Can one rightfully refuse to accept Mishloach manos based on the idea of one should not accept presents, or a person who does so wrong since shalach manos was instituted to promote love? The other reason for shalach manos is that it provides food for the seudah, so maybe the idea of not accepting presents can apply (and he should not accept it)?
Answer
The issue is discussed in the נזר התורה journal of Adar 5767, and in responses thereof.
Among the sources cited by the author are the following:
I. Responsum in Yizchak Burstein's מטעמי יצחק. There, R' Burstein cites Chulin 44b:
Whenever R. Zera was sent a gift he would not accept it but whenever he was invited out to dine he would go, for he used to say, ‘They are honoured by [inviting] me’. (Soncino translation)
R' Burstein explains that when the giver of the gift has some benefit (in the gemara, the sender would be honored if the esteemed Rabbi accepted the gift), the concept of שונא מתנות does not apply. Certainly, R' Burstein continues, by משלוח מנות where the sender is fulfilling a מצוה, the concept of שונא מתנות would not apply. (The discussion in the responsum is more detailed and complicated; what I've written here is just the essence of his argument.)
II. R' Moshe Sternbuch in a footnote in Volume 2, Chapter 186 of his מועדים וזמנים makes a similar argument as that of R' Burstein.
(See also here, here,here and here.)
I would also add that the words of the Maharal (in נתיב העושר:א) are appropriate here:
והכל בודאי הולך אחר הכוונה, אם הוא שונא מתנות רק מכוין להחשיב הנותן שרי, אבל כאשר מכוין להנאת עצמו, בודאי האדם הזה יוצא מגדר מה שראוי אל התלמיד חכם
Everything follows the intent [of the recipient], if he despises gifts but he intends to give importance to the giver it is permitted. But when he intends for his own benefit, certainly that person departs from the bounds of what is befitting a Talmid Chacham.
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