serious issue with getting paid from photo profits from Smugmug?

[rosselliot]

okay, so here is my problem, I'm 17, and I'm a dependant and listed under my mom and dad's household, and don't make enough with my photo business to actually file income tax...so how am I supposed to fill out the form that they want us to send in before they write us a check for the profits we've made by selling my photos?!

PLEASE help me with this, I'd REALLY REALLY appreciate some knowledgeable advice!

Thanks!!!!

- RE

[Andy]

okay, so here is my problem, I'm 17, and I'm a dependant and listed under my mom and dad's household, and don't make enough with my photo business to actually file income tax...so how am I supposed to fill out the form that they want us to send in before they write us a check for the profits we've made by selling my photos?!

PLEASE help me with this, I'd REALLY REALLY appreciate some knowledgeable advice!

Thanks!!!!

- RE
Ross, it's pretty simple: you MUST fill out a W-9 form before we can send you any profits. It's an IRS regulation. We just report the income to the IRS, and follow the rules.

Link: http://www.smugmug.com/help/reporting

If you have any other questions, just holler, we'll be here!

[rosselliot]

and then the IRS will recognize my social security number as that of a dependant and realize that I haven't filed for income tax before and realize I don't make enough...or do I have to fill out some other form before W-9 is sent....I think the problem may be that I'm not even going to be in their system, right?

[Andy]

and then the IRS will recognize my social security number as that of a dependant and realize that I haven't filed for income tax before and realize I don't make enough...or do I have to fill out some other form before W-9 is sent....I think the problem may be that I'm not even going to be in their system, right?
You will have to discuss that with an accountant, your parents, or www.irs.gov. I wish I had a better answer for you, but we can't and don't give tax advice, sorry - we just follow the rules of the IRS.

[SteveM]

Following Andy's lead, this is NOT tax advice :D but you're not required to file a tax return if you make under x dollars per year.

My suggestion to you is, being that you are a dependant, have one of your parents fill out the W9 and submit it, problem solved. Unless you're making 5 grand a year off of Smugmug, they'll pay a pittance in taxes on it and everyone should be happy. I assume the subscription to Smugmug is being paid through one of their credit cards, anyhow.

Good luck! I hope you don't go to Federal prison! KIDDING!

[Scott_Quier]

I really don't want to sound harsh, but...

The only advice worth anything is that which you receive from a working and paid professional.

If you're running a business (yes, I know you're still in High School, but younger folk have made millions before they graduate from HS), then run it like a business. Find a good accountant, pay the $100 for a short interview and go in with a prioritized list of questions. Get the authoritative answers and keep on keepin' on (oh, and continue shooting!!).

[rosselliot]

thanks, guys! I'll get dad to call our accountant and see what we should do. I didn't know it would be complicated...but of course, we ARE talking about the US government, don't know where I figured it'd be easy. :)

- RE