Therese Francis, PhD, an NWU member from New Mexico, led an informative and timely session, Taxes for Writers, on January 7 in San Francisco. NWU’s Northern California Chapter and the Mechanics’ Institute Library and Chess Room co-sponsored the workshop.
A writer, publisher and accountant, Francis kicked off the current tax season with the lunchtime event that drew nearly 50 writers who fired questions at her for an hour and a half. Using a six page outline, the author of the forthcoming Keeping the Books on Your Book: An Intro to Bookkeeping and Taxes for Authors guided participants to establish a business (vs. a hobby) as soon as they “make their first writing dollar.”
She highlighted tax deductions writers should consider, including:
-trademarking
-copyrights
-state and sales tax
-licenses
-membership in professional writers organizations, such as the NWU
NWU members Ann Berlak (Jolito’s Big Decision), and Brigid O’Farrell (She Was One of US), supported this NWU-Northern California outreach event, which is consistent with NWU’s mission to support the economic health and welfare of writers.
Hosting it at the Mechanics’ Institute Library represents a significant partnership for the NWU. Founded in 1854, the library is a leading San Francisco cultural center with a renowned chess program and full calendar of engaging cultural events that have a writer/reader focus.
NWU is the sole provider of IFJ Press Passes to freelance journalists in the U.S.