Photo Taxes?

<p>Hi all -</p>

<p>I have a few questions that I am struggling to answer! </p>

<p>For those full-time wedding photographer businesses, how do you pay taxes if you travel to another state? For example, if I live in Connecticut and have a Connecticut business license, but travel to Ohio to shoot a wedding for $2000, how do I report that? Do I need to have a separate business license for Ohio?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Allison</p>

<p>I believe you owe taxes just where your business resides. And even if you shoot elsewhere you do 66+x% of the work at your domestic screen don't you?</p>

<p>If you're shooting full-time as a professional, there's room in your budget to ask your accountant how to deal with that problem. Definitely get professional advice from someone who understands the sales and income tax issues in your state.</p>

<p>Get professional help from a tax specialist. We can't advise you with certainty as to your liabilities in another state, or all of the possible deductions for which you might qualify as a result of having to travel a long distance to your work.</p>

<p>Many photographers work in areas where they cross state lines every day. Here in Washington, D.C., there's the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia all within just a few miles, and Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virgnia are closeby. From New York, you have New York state, New Jersey and Connecticut right there.<br /><br />As a practical matter, there aren't any photography police stopping you at the border to see if you're on your way to shoot a job. And if your billing and payments are done from your home-base address, there likely isn't a paper trail. But if you are running an actual business -- and it sounds like you are if you have a business license and are asking this question -- the above-board thing to do is ask your accountant. If you are running an actual business and don't have an accountant, it's time to get one.</p>

<p>The Ohio tax FAQs (http://www.tax.ohio.gov/faq/tabid/6315/Default.aspx?QuestionID=434&AFMID=11354) #647 and #648 are of interest. If you are producing and delivering prints and albums (tangible property) as a result of your shoot, you may be subject to Ohio's service tax. I think where the prints and albums are produced delivered, and taxed per local tax laws, will determine if Ohio tax needs to be addressed. The bigger cost and headache is getting business license in Ohio so you can pay the sales tax. Consult your accountant.</p>