Author Topic: Tax Season!  (Read 14761 times)

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KMC

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Re: Tax Season!
« Reply #30 on: Feb 01, 2013, 08:11 am »
Heh. Actually I happened to be doing some demographic research for another project that also involved NAICS codes, so I had the URL handy. Not sure if that means "awesome" or "excessively nerdy."

The two are not mutually exclusive  ;)
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Dart

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Re: Tax Season!
« Reply #31 on: Mar 11, 2014, 11:15 pm »
Resurrecting this thread!

I just had a horrible experience at H&R Block. Up until now I've done my taxes myself, but this was my first year with 1099s. I tried Turbotax, but I wasn't convinced and wasn't pleased about paying extra to use 1099s (which also cancelled their deal with DC in which I'd file for free for making under X amount). My stepfather has gone to the same guy at H&R for the past 10 or so years, so he offered to take me along. Mistake.

This guy may be a great civilian accountant, but he was not for me. He lectured me about my 1099s ("they're taking advantage of you, you should demand a W2 or quit"), didn't suggest possible deductions (which I already knew I didn't qualify for this year, like having a home office), didn't ask about work expenses (which I had no receipts for because I hoarded office supplies during college and didn't buy anything new in 2013), and didn't suggest I do estimated taxes next year. He was generally really nasty about the fact that I am indeed expecting to keep receiving 1099s in the future, and he charged me more than my stepfather because I'm self-employed.

Has anyone out there had a good theater-related experience with H&R? Was the problem the guy or the company?

GalFriday

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Re: Tax Season!
« Reply #32 on: Mar 12, 2014, 12:13 am »
I have not worked with H & R Block. I am sorry you had a bad experience.

We searched to find an Accountant with Entertainment experience. And she is proving to be worth her weight in gold. We threw many unique issues at her; Both of us work many 1099's. My husband Incorporated last year. We bought a cottage. We own an apartment in Vegas that we rent...at a significant loss. We moved and rent our primary home which holds his office. I also have multiple W2's...She just kept working through and finding more and more deductions. I have not seen the completed report yet....but I do feel super confident.

Word of advice, work your network and find someone who understands our industry...because not understanding will cost you money.
"Now the best way to learn the theater, always, is to be a stage manager" - Stephen Sondheim

RuthNY

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Re: Tax Season!
« Reply #33 on: Mar 12, 2014, 09:01 am »
Technology has made finding and using the appropriate tax person much easier than it used to be. Find a theatrical tax specialist in a big city near you, send your paperwork on, either via email or snail mail, and then consult on the phone or via Skype, if necessary, There is no longer any reason for anyone in this business to have taxes done by someone who does not understand the ins and outs of this business, no matter where you reside!
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