Question 1

What documents do I need to give my tax preparer?

Accepted Answer

• All W-2s and 1099s
 • The amount of any other income not reported on a W-2 or 1099
    • You may list this on the same page as your business expenses
 • 1095-A if you had health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
 • Investment statements and bank interest statements
 • Student loan interest statements or name of payee and amount
 • Mortgage interest statement or amount
 • Property tax amount (may be on the mortgage interest statement)
 • Child care expenses (day care, after school care, summer day camp)
    • Include name, address, and EIN/SS of provider
    • If you don't have the EIN/SS of provider, just make a note that you don't have it
 • A list of any charitable donations to 501(c)3 nonprofits, whether or not you will be itemizing your deductions (see this FAQ)(https://www.phillytaxprepforartists.com//s/f/what-s-going-on-with)
 • Our Business Expenses Worksheet (https://www.phillytaxprepforartists.com/download-our-worksheets)
 • If you had income from a rental property or hosted on AirBnB, our Schedule E Worksheet (https://www.phillytaxprepforartists.com/download-our-worksheets)
 • Your tax returns for the past two years (unless we prepared them)
 • A voided check or bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit of refunds and possible direct debit of payments. NOTE: The IRS has ceased issuing paper checks, so this is essential if you're expecting a refund.

Question 2

How do I get my documents to my preparer?

Accepted Answer

Your preparer will send you a link to a secure folder, and you can upload scans or photos of your documents to the folder. Please make sure that photos of your documents are well-lit and not blurry! We need to be able to read the teeny-tiny numbers. And please name your documents before uploading them!
 
We use Citrix ShareFile for secure document transfer. This is a highly regarded and highly encrypted system. However, if you prefer not to upload your documents, let your preparer know and make arrangements to drop-off or mail them.

Question 3

What if my preparer from last year isn’t available to work with me this year?

Accepted Answer

Please feel free to schedule an appointment with whomever suits you best. It’s great to keep continuity with your previous preparer, but we are all qualified tax preparers and share client files.

Question 4

I'm confused about deductions. What’s a standard deduction versus itemized deductions? Are business deductions the same as itemized deductions?

Accepted Answer

If you are self-employed or an independent contractor, you file a Schedule C in addition to the 1040 that everyone files. You deduct the expenses associated with your self-employment on this Schedule C. These are often referred to as your “business deductions.” Accurately calculating these deductions is one of the main services that we provide - we will work with you to find every possible legitimate expense to help reduce your tax burden.

The “standard deduction” and “itemized deductions” are what most folks think of when they hear “deductions” and “taxes.” These are separate from your business deductions. Every taxpayer can take the standard deduction from their income. The standard deduction for 2024 is $14,600 for a single person, $29,200 for a married couple filing jointly, and $21,900 for heads of households. 
 
Because the standard deduction is now so high, “itemized deductions” are becoming more rare. However, if the sum of your medical expenses (exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income), state, local and property taxes (up to $10,000), mortgage interest, and charitable contributions exceeds the standard deduction, you can itemize these deductions on a Schedule A and get a tax benefit. Unreimbursed employee expenses are no longer deductible on Schedule A, so all business deductions should go on your Schedule C.

Question 5

Do you give discounts to clients who are low income? What about payment plans?

Accepted Answer

We have always kept our prices much lower than most tax preparation services as a way of demonstrating our commitment to serving our arts community. But if your income falls below a certain level (for example if you are on Medicaid), please don’t hesitate to discuss your situation with your preparer. 
 
You are always welcome to offer a barter or pay in installments. Just ask your preparer.

And if your taxes are simple, another option is to file them yourself. The IRS has a free o(https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free)nline filing service that is relatively easy to use.

Question 6

I started working as an independent contractor in Philadelphia, and I've heard that I have to get a City of Philadelphia tax account number. How do I do that?

Accepted Answer

If you are a self-employed/business tax payer in Philadelphia, you must be registered with the City.  Here's how:

• Visit the Philadelphia Tax Center.(https://tax-services.phila.gov/_/)
 • Click “register a new taxpayer” in the “new taxpayers” box on the lower middle of the page.  
 • Follow the prompts to create your username and password.
 • Your entity classification is Individual/Sole Proprietor.
 • You ID type is your SS# (even if you have an EIN)
 • Even if you had your business is years prior to 2025, register your business as starting in 2025.
 • You are registering to file Net Profits Tax and Business Income and Receipts Tax.
 • Click "no" for Jump Start Philly eligible.
 • If you are an artist, performer, writer, musician, your business code is 711510. Otherwise, search using key word.
 • Everything else should be self-explanatory!

Question 7

I've filed Net Profits Tax and Business Income and Receipts Tax returns in the past, but I don't have a Philadelphia Tax Center account. How do I set one up?

Accepted Answer

Visit the Philadelphia Tax Center.(https://tax-services.phila.gov/_/)

Click "create a username and password" in the "existing taxpayers" box on the lower middle of the page.

Follow the prompts. The City will send you a letter so that you can log in with a username and PIN.

Question 8

How does Philadelphia distinguish between income earned in Philadelphia and income earned outside of Philadelphia for the Business Income and Receipts Tax?

Accepted Answer

With regards to the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT), the City makes a distinction between income earned in Philadelphia and outside of Philadelphia.

The City also makes a distinction between sales and services.

Sales that are delivered to a location outside of Philadelphia are not subject to BIRT. This includes sales delivered electronically.

Example #1: Artist living in Philadelphia sells a painting to a collector who lives in New Jersey: NOT TAXABLE

Example #2: Graphic designer living in Philadelphia sells digital graphic design to a business located in California: NOT TAXABLE

Example #3: Artist living in Philadelphia is commissioned by a Philadelphia-based business to create a sculpture installed at one of their satellite locations in the Philly suburbs: NOT TAXABLE

Services are subject to BIRT unless they are physically performed outside of Philadelphia.

Example #1: Tax preparer living in Philadelphia prepares taxes for a client living in New Jersey: TAXABLE

Example #2: Musician living in Philadelphia plays a concert in the Philly suburbs: NOT TAXABLE

Example #3: Artist living in Philadelphia travels to NJ to teach a workshop: NOT TAXABLE

Example #4: Artist living in Philadelphia is hired by a school in NJ to teach an online workshop that they teach from their home: TAXABLE

As you review your 1099 and cash income for the past year, please note the amount of income that was from sales delivered to or services performed in a location outside of Philadelphia and provide that information to your tax preparer at your meeting. We will be able to exclude income from the BIRT based on that information.

NOTE: Real estate rental income from properties outside of Philly is excluded from the BIRT.

Question 9

What's going on with charitable contributions? Can I take a deduction or not?

Accepted Answer

For tax year 2025, you will still have to itemize deductions to be able to take a deduction  for charitable contributions.

Beginning with tax year 2026 (filed in 2027), you will be able to take an above-the-line tax deduction of up to $1,000 ($2,000 if married filing jointly) for cash contributions to qualified charitable organizations even if you don't itemize your deductions. If you do itemize, your charitable contribution deduction will be reduced by 0.5% of your AGI - which for most of us will be a pretty small amount.

Question 10

What rules have changed regarding 1099s that I may receive, or have to issue?

Accepted Answer

A couple of years ago, the government was going to change the threshold for 1099-K reporting, but the OB3 changed that! 1099-Ks (from Venmo, Paypal, etc) will only be issued to you if you earn $20,000 or more through a payment platform, or have 200 or more transactions.

The threshold for 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC remains $600 for 2025, but will go up to $2,000 for 2026, then adjusted for inflation in subsequent years.