People using photography as a second income

*Fuzzypiggy Jun 20, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

For those using photography as a second income to a main job, do you run your photography business as that, a proper registered business? Do keep correct accounts records for tax returns and declaration at the end of the year, etc? Or is it simply a "nod and a wink, cash in hand" for sales and work you do if you know that your income falls below your local country's tax thresholds?

More curiosity than anything about how people operate.

You can no longer comment on this thread as it was closed due to no activity for a month.

Devious Comments

!Ceadie Jun 23, 2012 Professional Photographer

I recently stopped doing commercial work, but I ran it as a proper business for many years. Registered, with taxes and insurance paid. I would rather be above-board and legal. My income was above average. Too many people around here work for free or peanuts. If you're professional, people expect to pay professional prices and they don't think it's unreasonable. Never had any complaints about prices.

~photomark Jun 22, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

Australia is great for this , you can have a hobby business and provided it turns over less than $50k (net profit) per year it is tax free.

Of course the catch is you cant have a hobby business as your sole income.

This works very well for me as my day job as an engineer ( big tax ) is nicely supplemented with selling prints (tax free)

I have no ambition to make photography my sole income so I like this arrangement very much.

^Kaz-D Jun 22, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

Hello!
You have been featured in Photography Weekly!
Enjoy! And don't forget to fav if you liked it

*Spiritofdarkness Jun 21, 2012

it depends on how much your earning per month (here in Germany)

~eyeballman Jun 20, 2012

In the US, you are required to file a tax return if you make more than $400 from "self-employment" (see [link]).

Whether you do or not, depends on your personal ethics...

~rcooper102 Jun 20, 2012

It could vary from country to country but I say declare the income as it allows you to write off all your photo gear.

~easwee Jun 20, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

Wouldn't know how it goes in USA, but here we can register as self-employed business. Out of that you can have a full type or an "afternoon only". Those who run the afternoon only self employed business have a minimal tax, but in order to keep it minimal you must not earn more than a certain ammount of money per year or else you go to a higher tax level. And you can still have a full time job + afternoon business.

I know many photographers that are registered as that and it kinda pays off (I think the total monthly cost is around 30€ for accounting and paperwork service). You should check if there's anything like that at your place.

Details

Statistics

People using photography as a second income

Devious Comments

The Journal Portal

Polls

What is your preferred drawing software?

deviantART [dee·vee·un'nt·ART]

Keep in Touch!

Deviousness

Add Media

Style