Guess what?
I was able to take my travel, lodgings and tuition for Viable Paradise off my taxes for 2009 because I’m claiming writing as my self-employed side business. WHOOHOO. If I’d bothered to save my paper, toner, and other office supply receipts, I’d have been able to take that off too.
The way it works is that you have to be legitimately trying to make a business of it. Can’t be a hobby. (Apparently any business that doesn’t make some money in 3 years is considered by the IRS to be a hobby). I can’t register my laptop as a company asset, though, because I use it for both DBA consulting and writing. Apparently, if I want the laptop to be a business asset, I can only use it for one or the other. Which means I need two computers to do both side businesses.
I think that’s the silliest rule I’ve ever heard of. Who has that much money? Plus carrying both around all the time and keeping all the backups synched would be a pain.
Maybe I should make my business a combination. Consultant Writer or Writer Consultant (but that gives the wrong connotations).
But since I have evidence (many, many rejection letters) of trying to seriously get published in 2009 and did a lot of promoting / networking / trying to improve my craft along the way, I am officially semi-self employed as a “professional” writer.
Now I just have to sell another story or three. @=)
