One of the earliest decisions I made when becoming a full-time artist in 2018 was using an independent accountant. I had used one in the past and felt it was an efficient service worth the money. I do my own book-keeping, meaning I collect and record my expenses and income by category, then turn over that information to an account to file my taxes for my LLC. Professional artists can write off their meals, supplies, gas, mileage, and even their rent if they have a home studio on their taxes. In the very least, if my art biz doesn’t make an income, it’s a glorious hobby that pays for itself.

In 2019, however, I handed off my book-keeping to my accountant’s secretary who never passed it on to her boss. My taxes were never completed and when the 2020 pandemic lockdown happened, the IRS was backed up, so filing my taxes late for 2019 and for 2020 took ages. I also did not receive any COVID-19 grants or loans for small businesses. Now, we all know most of that money was gobbled up by large corporations and rich individuals who scammed the system with PPP loans. But, it didn’t help my applications for aid when my taxes still were clogged up at the IRS and unfiled.

By 2021, Texas had a big freeze that took the power out and put many lives at risk. I was done being inside, so I took a loan out on my once brand new Kia Rio and headed up North to do an artist residency for one month. I was misinformed about the rules and terms of the loan and the car was repossessed on a technical error once I moved to Tulsa, OK. During the repossession, the car was badly damaged by the janky tow truck causing thousands in damages. I worked closely with insurance and the loan company to repair my car and get it back. I eventually sold it and bought a used Nissan. My taxes were back to being done using online services and I was able to include my used car’s expenses.

In 2022, I was working full-time as a first-time, first grade teacher (and then as a exhibitions and facilities manager at an ill fated arts center that is now out of business) in Tulsa, OK. I wanted to jump into Tulsa’s economic boom, unique arts culture, and Black history by planting roots where my grandfather survived the Tulsa Race Massacre. I rented a commercial space for my art studio with funds from my day job, got a Uhaul, and moved all of my things out of storage from Texas and into my Tulsa studio by myself.

My expenses were all part of my LLC and all seemed to be going well until Tulsa’s underbelly showed itself. It is a city filled with scammers and trashy behavior which effected my jobs and art studio. I left Tulsa behind to move back to Texas after about one year and thanks to having an LLC, I used online tax services to list these expenses.

Conclusion? Being an artist is a financial journey and for many, there is no governmental support. I have to juggle making savvy financial choices with taking financial risks and it’s hard! Online tax services advertise themselves as being free when they are not, but I do feel more in control with the consistency of doing my taxes myself vs. relying on an accountant and their team who has other customers they may prioritize. I hope this transparency helps figure out your art finances!

Have a Pleasant Day!
-Rae