TAX HELP FOR ACTORS

 

Working Actors:

It's tax time again!

If you're frustrated, fearful, or just plain bored by the thought of doing your taxes, help is available!

 

NOW there's a tax guide written especially for YOU!

 

Written BY an actor* FOR actors,

The Actor's Tax Guide:  What Professional Actors and Other Performers Need to Know About Income Taxes will help you organize your business records and get ready to file your tax return -- whether you do it yourself OR hire a pro!

 

Now in its second edition, this new, easy-to-understand online book demystifies the world of income taxes and will help you save time, aggravation,

-- and maybe some money!   

 

* This book was written in consultation with a professional CPA.

 

 

Hi!

My name is Mark Bradley, and I've been a professional actor for over 35 years.  For several years, I presented tax seminars for actors in my local area, and for a few more years, I helped actors in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. 

One thing I've learned in all that time is that nobody -- including some trained accountants and the writers of general-purpose tax guides -- really understands how we actors live our lives, on a day-to-day basis, and especially financially. 

Every actor is his or her own little business, and we have legitimate business deductions, just like any other enterprise. 

• The Actor's Tax Guide zeroes in on the kinds of unique business expenses actors have, and provides a simple, guided process for calculating and reporting your deductions.

I can't guarantee that "you'll love doing your taxes,' but I think I CAN guarantee that The Actor's Tax Guide will make the process a lot less stressful.

 

Here's what I've included: 

• An introduction that gives you the "lay of the land," with information about keeping good records, key concepts in the tax laws, and advice on which forms you should use and whether or not to seek out a professional tax preparer

(By the way, if you do use a professional, my CPA consultant suggests that if you have all your records neatly organized in the format you'll learn in The Actor's Tax Guide, it will save the tax preparer's time -- which means that YOU save money.)

• The difference between W2 work and 1099 work, and how that difference affects your deductions

• A step-by-step process to organize your professional expenses, deduct them on the proper IRS forms, and complete your entire federal return � I tell you when to do what, and more importantly, why

• A frank discussion of the Qualified Performing Artist provision in the tax law

• Detailed discussion about what you can deduct:  pictures, resumes, demos, agents' commissions, clothing, travel, auto mileage, telephone, theatre tickets, union dues, and much more

• Instructions on how to make your own Income Worksheet to add up your W-2 and 1099 income and deductions

• An easy way to account for your local transportation, your out-of-town travel, and your car expenses

• A handy list of standard per diem meal allowances for 86 American cities

• Advice on whether and how to itemize

• The address of a web site with links to state departments of revenue, to help you get started on your state return

►► NEW FOR 2010: 

• A chapter for parents of child performers, with information on preparing the child's return while retaining them as a dependent

• A section on accounting for a self-produced play or film

• Complete updates for changes in the IRS rules and forms

• Information on a new gift of up to $400 from Uncle Sam!

• More info on fewer pages --a new type face means you'll use less paper than last year if you decide to print the book.  We're saving trees!

 

Among the things people seem to like most about this book are the three worksheets included in the appendix. 

• The first worksheet is called the "Schedule of Professional Expenses," and it provides you with an easy way to account for two dozen different business expenses that actors commonly incur -- and that are unique to our profession.  This worksheet also gives you a nifty way to separate those expenses and allocate them to your W-2 and 1099 work. 

• The second worksheet is for Travel, Transportation, and Entertainment expenses, and it helps you to organize your expenses for things like local transportation, trips out of town for work or auditions, and whenever you host an agent, client, or other business associate. 

• Finally, there's a Vehicle Worksheet that addresses what seems to be the biggest bugaboo for many people -- how to account for your business mileage. 

 

Another thing people tell me they like about The Actor's Tax Guide is the sample tax return.  I show how a typical actor would account for his income and expenses using my worksheets.  I show you his filled-in worksheets and demonstrate how they're used to calculate the figures he entered on the IRS forms.  And I walk you through how his tax return was prepared.  It's as close to a "real-world" example as you're likely to find. 

 

I�ve always found that working with my fellow actors on their taxes is really enjoyable.  Of course, filling out the forms isn�t really anybody's idea of fun, but helping actors with this important aspect of their business has been very rewarding. Nobody is more devoted to his or her calling than an actor.  With all we suffer just to ply our trade, I hope this book will make your life easier in some small way, by providing many useful tips and by giving you an increased understanding of how the tax laws work.

 

►► WHAT THIS BOOK IS NOT:  The Actor's Tax Guide is not a "comprehensive" guide to every tax situation.  It would have to be ten times as big and cost a whole lot more. Actually, I've looked at tax guides that ARE ten times as big and cost a whole lot more, and NONE of them address the specific needs of actors!

If something is beyond the scope of this book, I'll tell you.  If I think you should seek professional advice about something, I'll tell you.  I'm not a lawyer or a CPA, and I can't give legal advice.  But I can draw on my years of experience and speak to you as a fellow actor about how to get through your income taxes with minimal pain -- and maximum refund.

I think you'll find that The Actor's Tax Guide is well worth the investment.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXCERPT FROM THE INTRODUCTION

 

Here's what people had to say about the first edition of

The Actor's Tax Guide:

 

"I was so glad I bought your 2009 Actor's Tax Guide -- I filed my taxes myself with the help of your book and was incredibly pleased with the results and my refund."  --  Brendan B., Actor

 

"This should be a great benefit to performers and tax preparers." -- Paul M., CPA

 

"What a well written, accessible book it is!  And what a needed and extraordinary thing to achieve for all of us tax-challenged actors!" -- Amy V., Actor

 

"[The refund rate] is shockingly low, and suggests the vast majority of customers were happy with their purchase." -- r.ecommended.com, May, 2009

 

"You're providing a valuable service to the industry.  There's a strong need amongst 'everyday' actors for this practical information."  -- Marilyn H., Professor of Theatre

 

 

► BONUSES INCLUDED ◄

► Three printable, easy-to-use worksheets:

• Schedule of Professional Expenses:  Lists 24 types of expenses incurred by actors, and sorts them for W-2 and 1099 work

• Travel, Transportation & Entertainment Worksheet:  Sort out your out-of-town travel, local transportation, meals, and business entertainment

• Vehicle Worksheet:  Record your car mileage and calculate your deduction

► Listing of standard per diem meal allowances for 86 U.S. cities

► Web address with links to state departments of revenue

► A sample completed tax return

 

ORDER NOW!

Click the link below to order The Actor's Tax Guide for only $19.95.

Remember if you're not satisfied for any reason, simply request a full refund within 60 days. 

CLICK HERE TO ORDER

Contact:  actorstaxguide@comcast.net

 

 

DISCLAIMER:  This book is intended to be a useful guide for professional actors as they prepare to file their income tax returns.  The information in this book is deemed to be accurate and correct but cannot be warranted against changes in the tax laws subsequent to the time of publication.  The author is neither a Certified Public Accountant nor a lawyer.  This material is not offered as legal advice, and the author assumes no liability for any losses or other damages resulting from the use or misuse of the information contained in this publication.  Readers are advised to consult qualified professionals if they have any questions about filing their tax returns.

 This material may not be reproduced or re-transmitted in any way.

� Mark Bradley       All Rights Reserved