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Taxing questions ease the art ache 'People working in creative industries can now get the kind of down-to-earth practical advice they need to take the pain out of preparing for the taxman,' said Eve Stafford of Arts Nexus as she plans an interactive workshop next week for the north's artists, performers, cultural organisations and creative presenters. The Art Aches and Money Matters workshop featuring renowned arts accountant Brian Tucker from Brisbane is hosted by Arts Nexus in association with the Arts Law Centre of Queensland. 'Brian has specialised in the cultural and knowledge-based industries over many years. He is the Treasurer to several Statewide arts organisations and auditor to more, so he's quite a font of wisdom for those who feel the money side of their creative practice is a bit rough,' said Ms Stafford. 'It's not always easy, with people working in creative fields most often mixing short bursts of paid employment with freelance work as contractors or commissions. With their incomes sometimes coming in large lumps followed by a famine, advice on how to smooth it out without penalties can be crucial.' 'There is always a serious message, but Brian Tucker can be quite a larrikin with his colorful David and Goliath stories of artists coming up against the ever changing rules of the Australian Tax Office,' said Ms Stafford. 'As a regular speaker and writer on taxation and accounting, he's become something of an entertainer and social commentator, which is completely against the usual stereotype for accountants,' she said. 'He audits the books for so many arts organisations in Queensland and NT, and has such a broad experience with filmmakers, musicians, writers and visual artists, that he can see trends and alert us to the common mistakes.' 'From the emerging issues for Aboriginal artists selling artefacts to musicians selling CDs at gigs, Brian keeps up with all the latest tax rulings, and will take questions from the floor.' 'Even though the GST issue has settled down, whenever there is an exchange of value, many artists and organisations are still uncomfortable about their decisions on getting an ABN or deciding whether or not to be GST registered.' 'Apparently this even affects in-kind donations, sponsorships, grants or cash prizes for competitions for both the giver and the prizewinner,' she said. The 'Art Aches and Money Matters' workshop is on next Wednesday 14 April from 2.00pm – 5.00pm, followed by networking until 6.30pm at the Cairns City Library Meeting Room, Abbott Street, Cairns. Pre-bookings are essential via Arts Nexus, PO Box 4995, Cairns 4870. Cost is $15, or $5 for Arts Nexus members. For more information contact T: 4051 4433 or E: admin@artsnexus.com.au
_____________________________________ Media Enquiries via Eve Stafford: 4093 7434 ___________________
ARTS NEXUS Inc: the business of arts and culture
Arts Nexus is the regional arts development organisation and non-profit creative industry association for FNQ. Shop 6, The Hilton, Wharf St., Cairns
PO Box 4995 CAIRNS 4870
PH 07 4051 4433 FX 07 4051 4244
[non-profit incorporated assoc. since 1996]
eve.stafford@artsnexus.com.au
http://www.artsnexus.com.au ARTS NEXUS gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Community Cultural Development Board [CCDB] of the Australia Council for the Arts as major sponsor
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