Event Description
Panel:
The Business (and Taxes) of Writing
Monday, January 27, 2020
7:30 to 9:15 p.m. (networking follows the program)
IWOSC members – free
Non-members – $15
This Panel has passed but you can purchase a recording of it if you’d like.
To kick off the new year of 2020, IWOSC/PALA is presenting a program to deal with taxes, starring a top Los Angeles area CPA and an attorney, to give advice on conducting our business as writers and publishers. And this year, California writers have a lot more on their plates than merely planning for their annual appointment with the IRS in April.
On January 1, 2020 the State of California is reviving the controversial Obamacare “individual mandate” for health insurance at the state level — with hefty fines and penalties for people who do not carry coverage on your state income taxes. And most ominously of all, there is the incredibly controversial Assembly Bill 5 or #AB5, which has the potential to severely curtail and affect freelance writing assignments for California writers.
And if you’re wondering if there’s any resource out there, specifically centering on writers and creatives, that can help provide a roadmap through all these changes — fortunately, there is!
Topics will include:
- “Good Housekeeping” tips for writers — keeping records, mileage and travel calendars/logs (for leases, car payments and insurance), how to prepare for (and protect against) an audit, filing tax returns when your spouse or domestic partner is a salary-drawing “normie” and you’re a freelancer. Helpful software, maximizing write-offs, the notorious “home office” deduction, and more.
- Do stay-at-home / freelance writers who aren’t LLC/incorporated need to file for a business license?
- Dealing with the CA Obamacare / “Covered CA” individual mandate and things of that nature when one’s income (often wildly) varies month-to-month, who may and may not qualify for premium subsidies, and tips on applying for home/car loans and apartment rentals and such with an irregular income
- The #AB5 controversy (natch!)
- And what do tax accountants and lawyers want their writer and creative clients to know, before it’s too late!
All that and more, with moderated questions from the audience!
(Disclaimer: This is a seminar for useful and general information. IWOSC and the panelists will in no manner shape or form be held legally liable for specific personal/individual cases arising out of the general information given herein. Attendance at the seminar constitutes acknowledgement of that fact.) There WILL however be networking and face time after the program, should you wish to try and retain one of our speakers on a client basis (if their schedules permit.)
Our panel:
Michael S. Klein
Michael S. Klein has been IWOSC’s own legal eagle for roughly three decades. A founding partner of Klein & Weisz in West Los Angeles, Michael has a broad range of transactional experience in entertainment law and publishing business transactions.
Mr. Klein is the long-term chair of the First Amendment Committee of the ACLU of Southern CA, and has spoken frequently on civil liberties and other legal topics. He has been a frequent commentator on CNN and on such programs as Saving the American Dream. He recently appeared on The Dennis Prager Show debating the host on numerous issues. He has spoken before the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles County Bar Associations, and has lectured at UCLA, USC, Pepperdine, Loyola, Southwestern, and other colleges. He was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Santa Monica Public Library and in that capacity has addressed various publisher and writer issues.
Mike also plays in a rock-and-roll jam band, does comedy and juggling performances, and has associate producer credits for his work in the film world.
He has helped numerous IWOSC members since our inception with free initial telephone conversations and reduced rates for IWOSC members. Mr. Klein graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University, and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School, with graduate studies in Economics.
Dmitriy Velin
Dmitriy Velin, Principal of Velin & Associates and LosAngelesCPA.org, one of the premier LA area accounting firms dealing with the entertainment industry.
Dmitriy’s 15 years experience as a public accountant, working with both individuals and businesses from high net-worth and celebrity clients to everyday Californians give him the breadth of knowledge for a wide variety of accounting needs. Dmitriy’s specialties include tax compliance and planning for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates and trusts. His specific areas of tax expertise include professional corporations, real estate, the entertainment industry, construction and development, retirement and estate planning.
His personal approach is to work toward each client’s financial goals through careful, insightful and individual attention to their specific needs with both mutual trust and respect. Dmitriy attributes his many successes to his strong dedication to constantly learn new ways to maximize benefits to his clients. He enjoys helping people achieve their goals and realize their dreams in their personal and business financial endeavors.
Dmitriy graduated with Honors from UC Santa Barbara in 2004 with a BSc. in Business Economics and Slavic Languages. He holds a CPA license in California and continues his education through the California Soceity of Certified Public Accountants. He resides in Los Angeles California and enjoyes spending time with family, travelling, playing tennis, soccer and golf.