Imagine…

FAQs:

Q: I don’t need you to do my taxes. Can I still get the spreadsheet system, work sessions, checklists and trainings?
A: Yes! Taxes and one-on-one coaching are only available with the additional purchase of the One-on-One Package. Your regular Bootcamp membership comes without taxes or one-on-one coaching. Most people do this.

Q: What if I have questions about my taxes?

A: Money Bootcamp is a group program with accounting trainings tailored to creative people, that we’re able to offer at way below the price of one-on-one time with an accountant. The Money Bootcamp program is a jam-packed year’s worth of self-paced course content, plus an additional monthly live training session (plus all the checklists, the cowork sessions, the bookkeeping setup training, the Simple Spreadsheet System, the SMART goals tracker app, etc etc). There is tons of content, organized well. And we’ve built in lots of ways to keep you accountable to yourself. But it’s your job to do the work. It does not include one-on-one time for your tax/money questions.

You may or may not know that accountants charge between $150-$400+ per hour. At Sunlight Tax, we’re accountants, and while we try to keep our rates accessible ($180/hour if you’re curious), we still have to charge for one on one time. But sometimes, you just need someone’s eyes on your specific situation. You’ve got two options with us. One: if you’re a current member of Bootcamp, and you need to talk to someone about your tax situation, you can book a 30 minute one-on-one call with a Sunlight Tax expert for an additional fee ($95). If you need more, you can book additional one-on-one calls as you go, for $95 each.

If you need your taxes done, you’ll need to buy the full One-on-One package, which includes a 30 minute one-on-one coaching session in addition to us doing your tax return, and an hour-long tax consultation session where we walk you through your tax return, explain issues, and answer your questions, do a personalized tax projection, setup estimated quarterly tax payment amounts for the next year, and give you personalized IRA guidance.

Q: My spouse also does creative freelance work. Can they join?
A: Spouses can join for FREE, if you’re married filing jointly. They are welcome to join all trainings and join in on the tax and coaching calls. So married creatives basically get a 2-for-1 deal.

Q: Can I get just the simple spreadsheet system?

A: Yes. It’s called No Fear Taxes. It’s included in Bootcamp, but you can get it on its own. If you’re not sure about committing to a year, it’s a good way to try Hannah’s teaching style and a great system in itself. Although it is included with your purchase of Money Bootcamp, we will not refund the cost of it if you decide later to join Money Bootcamp. And yes, it’s part of what makes Bootcamp an amazing value.

Q: I want to join Bootcamp, but I already use bookkeeping software. Is that ok?

A: That’s fine. Bootcamp includes a QuickBooks Self-Employed tutorial for those who need more than a simple spreadsheet. You need software if you want to run reports, run payroll or track Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) [FYI, independent artists writers and performers are not required to do this, or run payroll.] When we do the quarterly bookkeeping cowork sessions, you can do your books using whatever setup you like—whether that’s the Sunlight Tax simple spreadsheet system, QuickBooks Self-Employed, or another software.

Q: I just want you to do my taxes, without Bootcamp.

A: Sorry. The only new tax work I take on is through enrolled members of Bootcamp who purchase the additional One-on-one package.

Q: What is included in the One-on-one Package add-on to Bootcamp?

A: If you choose to add-on the One-on-one Package, it includes a one-on-one coaching session with a Sunlight Tax expert, your individual 1040 tax filing, and your individual state filing. This includes your spouse if you file Married Filing Jointly. It includes your Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business Activities. Separate corporate filings (S Corp, Partnership, C Corp or non-profit) are not included. Note that an LLC is fine as long as you file it on your Schedule C, as many sole proprietors do. It also includes an in-depth one hour one-on-one tax session to walk you through your tax return, explain issues, and answer your questions. It includes a personalized tax projection, setup of your estimated quarterly tax payment amounts for the next year, and personalized IRA guidance.

Q: I’ve got tons of questions, and I bought the One-on-One package. Can I email you tax questions anytime?

A: Nope. Tax advice is serious, and we take our professional responsibility seriously. For this reason, we like to be focused when we’re doing it, and we like you to be focused, too. We restrict our answering of tax questions to designated calls. This can be in your 30 minute coaching session(s) or in your one-hour tax consultation when we review and advise you on your tax return. You can always book additional one-on-one coaching calls. And you can save up all your little questions and go through a long list of them in a 30 minute call (we love this!). But we don’t take random questions or scatter them into other places, because we need the full context to be sure we know your scenario and give you the right information.

If you have questions about preparing your tax materials or our process as you work with us, those are fine to email, and our admin team can help you get that stuff sorted so you’re fully ready for your big tax advisory session. And of course, please DO bring your tax questions to that.

Q: Can I hire you to review my old tax return? I know that you “get” artists’ tax issues, and I’m not sure my last accountant did.

A: Yes and no. We don’t offer this as a standalone service. That said, for every new tax client, we review your last tax return - it’s part of our normal tax preparation process. If we find anomalies or things you should be concerned about, we will tell you.

Q: What if I want Sunlight Tax to do my taxes every year?

A: Good question. You are welcome to have Sunlight Tax continue to do your taxes, but you will need to be actively enrolled in Money Bootcamp each year to do so. Note: after your first year in Money Bootcamp, the price drops to a simple membership plan (currently $49/month), and we simply bill you for the cost of your tax return. It’s not a huge commitment, but it’s not for everyone. We are a small tax practice, and we prioritize tax clients who want to be with us for the whole special-sauce of membership, not just the tax return.

Q: What if I want you to be my new accountant?

A: You should know that we’re not like everyone else. We run an awesome membership program with tons of education and resources - but we don’t do some of the traditional services of a more traditional accounting firm. We don’t do your bookkeeping (we focus on teaching you how to do it), we don’t issue your 1099s (again, we empower you to do that), we don’t do sales tax or local franchise taxes, and we don’t provide audited financial statements. If you need those things, you’ll do better with a more traditional accounting firm. That said, you’ll still get a great tax and financial education from Money Bootcamp, and many Bootcampers use Bootcamp to become empowered and learn how to ask better questions of their own accountant and get their money’s worth when they use other accounting firms.

But if you’d like us to do your taxes every year, and you’re on board with staying an active member of Bootcamp, we’re happy to continue to work together.

Q: Does Bootcamp cover sales tax?

A: I have resources to point you to, but I don’t file sales tax returns, or teach in depth about sales tax. Sales tax is a local-based tax, with about 10,000 thousand different jurisdictions, and given Bootcamp members in almost 50 states, I can’t reasonably keep current on the rules in every one. Bootcamp does not include other local tax filings like franchise taxes.

About Your Instructor

I’m Hannah and I’ve been a working artist for over 15 years. And everything good that has happened in my art career has come from my fellow artists.

I started Sunlight Tax to give back to the creative community that is doing the empathy work our culture needs.

In this era of mistrust and breakdown, artists create connections, bridge divides, inspire people and call them to action, and we help people envision a world as it could be. When artists stop making work, the reason is usually financial.

So when I’m able to give other creative people the money tools they need to be financially stable, I’m supporting your important work. And the world needs you right now.

But you need savings, security and the ability to rest. Why? So you can keep showing up in the world doing the brave work you were meant to.

I’m an Enrolled Agent, a tax expert, a speaker, and a writer. And of course, an artist.

I’m a tax and money columnist for Hyperallergic, and formerly for Art F City. And these are some of the arts organizations that have hosted me:

About the Sunlight Tax Team of Tax Experts

Our tax team is incredible. All of our tax advisors have over five years’ experience doing the taxes of freelancers, small businesses and creative people. We specialize in the tricky areas of special concern to small creative businesses: losses, estimated quarterly taxes, audit concerns specific to artists, and the deep cultural value that creative work brings to our world. You can learn more about the members of our team here.