Photography Business Spreadsheet

Having recently retired, I can now focus on my photography. Does anyone have a business spreadsheet they are willing to share or know of a template I can download used to keep track of expenses/sales of artwork, etc.?

Search accounting software for photography business - lots out there. If you ask about specific software you may receive more specific input. Good luck with it!

I don't get paid for my photography, but run a small(schedule C) business in addition to my main job.

 

I don't have anything exotic-I basically just have the spread sheet broken up into 5 categories:

 

1. Income for services

2. Income from sales(this category is small for me-my only "sales" are selling replacement parts at cost)

3. Cost of inventory(again small)

4. Mileage driving to job sites(my biggest expense)

5. Miscellaneous expenses(parking is the big one for me, basically anything that MIGHT be deductible gets dumped here for a record of it, and I sort it out at tax time as to whether or not I can claim it)

 

I didn't do anything fancy-each category just has a bolded heading, and I sum each category. I also have total income and expenses on the right, and a category with my total profit or loss. These last numbers are irrelevant when tax time comes around(at least in the US, the IRS wants a MUCH more detailed breakdown of both your income and expenses, which is why I split them up into so many different categories) but are good for me to know where I stand for the year.

 

Also, I include a LOT of description for every entry, especially on the expenses line. If you get audited, you need to be prepared to explain every expense you claim, and the more detail you note when you enter it, the better off you are. Every expense is also backed up by a paper trail, or its electronic equivalent.

 

Just a bit of advice for handling this sort of income legally from someone who is not an accountant, lawyer, tax preparer, or otherwise but who does everything I can to stay on the right side of tax law.

Search accounting software for photography business - lots out there. If you ask about specific software you may receive more specific input. Good luck with it!

Thank you!

I don't get paid for my photography, but run a small(schedule C) business in addition to my main job.

 

I don't have anything exotic-I basically just have the spread sheet broken up into 5 categories:

 

1. Income for services

2. Income from sales(this category is small for me-my only "sales" are selling replacement parts at cost)

3. Cost of inventory(again small)

4. Mileage driving to job sites(my biggest expense)

5. Miscellaneous expenses(parking is the big one for me, basically anything that MIGHT be deductible gets dumped here for a record of it, and I sort it out at tax time as to whether or not I can claim it)

 

I didn't do anything fancy-each category just has a bolded heading, and I sum each category. I also have total income and expenses on the right, and a category with my total profit or loss. These last numbers are irrelevant when tax time comes around(at least in the US, the IRS wants a MUCH more detailed breakdown of both your income and expenses, which is why I split them up into so many different categories) but are good for me to know where I stand for the year.

 

Also, I include a LOT of description for every entry, especially on the expenses line. If you get audited, you need to be prepared to explain every expense you claim, and the more detail you note when you enter it, the better off you are. Every expense is also backed up by a paper trail, or its electronic equivalent.

 

Just a bit of advice for handling this sort of income legally from someone who is not an accountant, lawyer, tax preparer, or otherwise but who does everything I can to stay on the right side of tax law.

Thank you!

Look at Cradoc fotoSoftware - Business Software for Freelance Photographers - you might find it useful.