What? You think because you work in the seedy underworld, you don't have to declare your taxes? Sorry to break this to you but you're not a criminal. In most developed countries, commercial Internet porn is a legal business. Legal businesses have to declare their earnings or they get spanked by the government. People go to jail for evading their taxes. If you made money from pimping smut on the Internet, you don't get a pass just because the stuff you do is out of the societal norm.
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"If you made money from pimping smut on the Internet, you don't get a pass just because the stuff you do is out of the societal norm." |
I will confess, I don't know much about the tax laws of countries other than the one in which I live - America.
I do know a little bit about earning income from a Canadian boss since I've been a contract employee for Cozy. I know that I am like most US adult webmasters. I am self-employed and I am responsible for paying my own payroll taxes. I know that if an affiliate webmaster earns $500 or more from adult sponsors, that income must be declared. Those sponsors (if they're American) must send out W-2 statements to affiliates that earn half a grand and up. I know that I have to fill out special forms and declare an inventory of my business expenses and work environment expenses. I know that if I lie on my forms or neglect to declare my taxes, I will pay the price eventually.
What is your situation? Do you know your filing status? Are you self-employed? Do you have a tax number or is your business a Limited Liability Company (LLC)? Are you classified as head of household? Married? Single payer? Do you have assets such as property, a car, stocks? These are the things you need to know before you file your taxes. You need to gather your pay stubs, wire deposits, receipts for equipment, contracts and W-2 statements before you go to the accountant.
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And what about your accountant? Do you have one? Do they know what you do for a living? Me, I don't make enough money to require an accountant. I file my taxes online. I been using Turbo Tax software for the last 8 years and so far, it's worked just fine for me. However, if my income ever gets complicated, I'm going to have to find a physical accountant who isn't going to have a problem when they discover I work for an adult entity.
I've known a few accountants over the years and on the whole, they're not really into judging their client's morality. Just the same, I'll avoid places like H&R Block and any accountant with a Jesus-fish in the window. The point is, if you're clueless about how your tax forms need to be filed, you've got to take the time to research before you file. If you can afford it, hire a professional. If you can't, go to your local TAX website and do the grunt work before you fill out and send off your forms.
The absolute worst thing you can do is blow the whole thing off. Al Capone, you ain't. You're not some crime boss with scores of lawyers and accountants. You're an ordinary person, making a legal living and acting like you're a bad-ass gangster is just stupid. If your paying sponsors are based in another country, that doesn't absolve you of your responsibilities. Uncle Sam wants his share and if you try to be cute, your ass is grass.
I know. Taxes are a pain. The forms are a nightmare. I'm sorry. I wish it were easier but if you're self-employed, the onus is on you. If you're an adult webmaster, odds are, you're self-employed. In the long run, enduring the grief of tax-time is a hell of a lot better that the hell of fines and possible criminal charges.
Do your taxes. In the US, the deadline is April 14th, 2009. If you can't get it together by then, file an extension. Don't be a bonehead and pretend you're protected by your l33t awesomeness. You're not. You're an ordinary schmoe just trying to get a nut. Keep it clean and Declare Your Green!