I THINK I'M IN TROUBLE; PLEASE HELP

Mamarazzi514 · Nov 8, 2011

I got a letter from my town saying they need me to send in the attached form of all my business earnings and expenses because I did not pay my taxes. I am a single mother and the only way I know how to support my children is thru photography. I have a studio but I mainly shoot outdoors since the weather here is gorgieous almost year round. My business is not registered and I never payed taxes and I don't have a license. What do I do please help. I don't want to go to jail and I don't want to lose my business.

Trever1t · Nov 8, 2011

First I'll start out by saying this sounds a bit fishy but let's go with it for just a moment.

Where are you? Like what country?

Overread · Nov 8, 2011

Go talk to a lawyer.

There really isn't any other advice one can give you at this stage; esp since you've not even stated the country/state that you are in so as to give some reference at least to the general laws in place.

*moving to shop talk*

Mamarazzi514 · Nov 8, 2011

I live in Florida. Talk to a lawyer? There is nothing else I can do?

Kerbouchard · Nov 8, 2011

Mamarazzi514 said:
I live in Florida. Talk to a lawyer? There is nothing else I can do?

No, and since you didn't set up your business as an LLC, you will probably be personally liable for the taxes and penalties.

I would be talking to a lawyer who specializes in Tax Law very soon.

Honestly, I would tend to agree with the title of your thread...I think you're in trouble, too.

Mamarazzi514 · Nov 8, 2011

How much will I have to pay? Like what percentage? FML

Overread · Nov 8, 2011

You need accurate and reliable legal advice regarding your situation - you won't get that from a forum nor friends (you might get some ideas/pointers at best, but it will be unreliable and often inaccurate with regard to specifics). A lawyer is who you need to talk to - as said above one who specialises in Tax Laws.

Most lawyers will give you a 30min or so free consultation where you can at least find out what your fees for their services will be as well as present your case to them.

mjhoward · Nov 8, 2011

Troll much? This just can't be real. OF COURSE if you take in income, especially as a 'business', and don't pay taxes, you are going to get hit with tax evasion. Of all the things Al Capone did, tax evasion is what landed him in jail for 11 years.

Trever1t · Nov 8, 2011

and after that he retired....to Florida

kundalini · Nov 8, 2011

Trever1t said:
and after that he retired....to Florida

...... and though it is reported that he died of cardiac arrest, he was also sufferring from untreated syphillis and pneumonia .

To the OP, If this is real, you've made your own bed. Sorry to be curt, but you should have known that taxes are part of the deal.

GeorgieGirl · Nov 8, 2011

I think you can file bankruptcy in Florida and not lose your house. But the IRS are such...well you know.

unpopular · Nov 8, 2011

Oh. I don't know. My guess is this person runs a pretty small business and just made a mistake. I think they're usually pretty willing to work with you if you co-operate, don't they usually work out payment options?

I'm not saying it will be a blast, but don't freak out about it until you have all the information. Just talk to an attorney and get it straightened out.

MLeeK · Nov 8, 2011

Yeah, my friend, you are in some hot water. Go to a lawyer. If you are truly at the low income level try legal aid.
The city, state and federal governments are so desperate to raise money they are truly seeking out unregistered businesses. They find you either by a complaint or craigslist or by your website if it shows up fairly easily on a search.
The first advice I always give EVERYONE is to get those legal documents making you a business!!! If you make nothing, then you're only out MAYBE $50. BUT if you are found to be in business and haven't done your legal stuff? You can be held liable for the amount of taxes the AVERAGE photographer should have paid for the time that the gov't and subsequently the courts find you to have been doing business illegally. Not to mention any penalties.
There are so many loopholes that an attorney can guide you through and GET A BUSINESS CERTIFICATE/Tax ID. FL Dept Rev - Florida Sales and Use Tax
I know I sound like doomsday, but an attorney can help you. DO NOT try to talk with the gov't yourself. It's so easy to incriminate yourself without saying anything it's not funny. That's what they will be trying to do.

In the mean time you need to get together your receipts for EVERYTHING related to doing business-print orders, equipment purchases, gas to and from shoots, vehicle expenses (it's only a little business, but your attorney will help you with it), computer software, computer hardware, even your electric and everything and then have an attorney and accountant guide you on how much can be deducted as a business expense. That will help to reduce what you owe as your actual "income" will be less. You will also need any record of ANY payment received from any customer. Paypal, bank, receipt book... whatever you have.

BlairWright · Nov 8, 2011

Seriously? I fail to see how indoor or outdoor photography has to do with tax evasion. I also fail to see why you would make a post to a forum on anonymous people before doing the obvious which is to call a lawyer.

Sorry for being cold but this does not seem real...

If this is real you should know that once they have you file locally the state and federal govt will be after you. You need legal representation ASAP