Comfort Zone
IRS Small Business One-Stop Resource
It's the IRS as its most helpful. Self-explantory title in terms of taxes, but also contains good links to other small-business resources.
Small Business Administration Business Plan Basics
Even if the term "business plan" sounds like "dental work" to you, it's worth thinking about a business plan--or something like one. If all you do is write down a single goal--like, "I want my art to pay my bills next year," you'll be better for it. If you want to flesh your plan out, here's a good place to begin.
Beginner's Guide to Self-Employment Tax
This article is useful for anyone who's self employed. The article is at a site called "What You Need to Know About." It's full of other useful, to-the-point articles about relevant topics like S-corporations. Beware, though, if you're not fond of pop-ups: This is a commercial site that throws a lot of them on your screen.
Accounting & Tax Resources
To most artists, the words "money," "taxes" and "business" strike some combination of fear and desperation. Mostly, these words say "Run away!"
But don't. For one thing, even if you're not a full-time artist, you can unwittingly create tax ramifications by simpling making, selling, trading or donating a piece of work.
More generally, when it comes to money issues--budgeting, financial planning, business plans and such--the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. It's neither rocket science nor black magic. It's a rational process, and plenty of resources and professionals are around to help step you through it.
Some good arts-focused online resources are listed below. But if you venture out of your comfort zone, you'll find plenty of general entrepreneurial and small business resources. A sampling of those--each a gateway to scads of other resources--is listed in the box.
One last note: If you're looking for an accountant, some of the articles listed here can help--especially the Accounting FAQ. But you may also want to check out our Legal Resources page. The line between legal and tax issues is often quite fine. In addition, some of the lawyers groups for artists also include accountants. Directories of those lawyers groups are listed on the Legal Resources Page.
How to Prepare a Budget for an Art Project
Whether you're preparing a grant proposal or planning a new work, budgeting is always a good and necessary idea. From the Seattle Artist Trust, this article provides a good starting point for budgeting an arts project.
Artists Financial Planning ToolsIf you visit just one site, make it The Pauper and start with these two sections. Forget the site name--instead you'll find a strong case that an artist needn't be a pauper. The Guide to Financial Planning dispels the destructive fears and stereotypes about artists and money. The Financial Planning Tools provide clear, step-by-step instructions, checklists and other tools for managing finances, including a financial plan you can adapt for your own use.
Money Basics (NYFA Interactive)Spending Basics (NYFA Interactive)
These plain-english articles provide a quick primer.
Accounting FAQ (NYFA Interactive)
Do you need an accountant? What about incorporating? These are the topics covered in this FAQ.
Tax Filing for ArtistsWritten in 2000, this article's not hot off the presses, but it's still applicable. Great for a quick explanation of tax issues to concern yourself with. And other goodies at the site are worth exploring.
Pensions, Emergencies, etc.This Artists Help Network page lists organizations that provide a vairety of services--from loans to low-cost banking services.