Face to Face Henderson

Pro Photographers Go on the Offensive At the Senior Photographers International (SPI) show, one speaker from Florida talked extensively about his feelings about amateurs who are taking away business from the professionals by using unethical and illegal methods. While most established professionals properly charge and pay sales tax and income tax, a great many of the amateur pros do not follow the rules by either not collecting sales tax or by collecting sales tax and not paying it to the State and by not paying the IRS. In Florida, sales tax violations are a felony. Many of these part time photographers also are often not paying sales tax on their equipment purchases.

Some professional photographers have become so fed up with their competitors that they are starting to turn them in to the state and federal tax authorities for investigation. In addition, the money hungry tax authorities are investigating photographers on their own. It has been reported that Florida tax authorities have gotten hold of the convention attendee list and are going down the list investigating attendees to see if they are properly licensed and paying the appropriate amount of tax. The IRS is also very interested in finding photographers who are not paying income tax on their photographic operation. Violation of the law could be devastating.

Some SPI members were uncomfortable about turning in their competition to the government authorities but professionals are struggling and are irate about their competitors, both amateur and professional, not operating under the law. So beware, the tax man may soon be knocking on your door in Florida and other states as well. Uncomfortable as it is, this action can be a blessing that will help to level the playing field.