Tax workshops/speaking events
For mission-driven entrepreneurs, creative groups, self-employed people, students, and professional development organizations
photo courtesy of Emily Abramovich, Arts and Business Council, Boston
“Thank you for leading us through the overwhelming terrain of taxes in your workshop. I left feeling empowered! ”
“I can’t tell you enough how useful, clear, and compassionate [her] teaching style is.”
“Hannah Cole’s tax workshop was super informative and clarifying. After learning from her for just a couple of hours, I feel more confident in being able to do my own taxes. I also have a better understanding of how and why to organize work documentation to make sure I am saving as much money as possible when doing my taxes.”
“Hannah Cole covered a lot of material – so kudos for depth and breadth! As a presenter, Hannah was wonderfully straightforward and calm - clearly committed to both her professional tax work and breaking down intimidating financial details of tax codes and business reporting for artists. Her compassionate understanding of what it means to be an artist and navigate multiple income and revenue streams was especially relevant. Her nuts and bolts breakdown of art expenses was especially helpful, as were specific apps for tracking expenses (travel, sales tax etc.). Hannah offered the most personable and personal presentation...both because of her grounded style, and the fact she was not running off a PowerPoint. I found Hannah’s notes and handouts thorough and useful for follow up.”
Hannah giving a talk to artists-in-residence at MassMoCA
Engaging Workshops for Creative People
Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with creative businesses, self-employed people, entrepreneurs, and artists. A long-time working artist with a high-level exhibition history, Hannah has a unique vantage point for understanding the financial challenges of freelancers and small creative businesses.
In this engaging two hour workshop, she discusses two main components:
1. The self-employment tax system as it applies to freelancers, including how to determine estimated quarterly tax payments and how to make them + adjust them. Provides a deep understanding of the Schedule C.
2. The importance of sound business practices for all creative workers. IRS rules surrounding hobby losses and how to defend against this determination by proving the "profit motive" of one's arts practice. Addresses audit procedure and defense for artists. Tips on good record-keeping and business habits.
followed by a Q&A.
Hannah Cole is the founder of Sunlight Tax and an Enrolled Agent (EA), licensed by the IRS.
Current and former clients include RISD, Cornell, Brown University, Utah Division of the Arts, New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), Dance/USA, The Ohio State University, Arts and Business Council of Boston, Art World Conference, Harvard Ed Portal, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Boston Foundation, Boston University, Massachusetts College of Art, MassMoCA's Assets for Artists, University of Hartford, CUE Art Foundation, Rhode Island State Council for the Arts, New Hampshire Institute of Art, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), AICAD/New York Studio Residency Program, New England College and more.
Podcasts/radio interviews of Hannah include: Startist Society, Artist/Mother (2), Hyperallergic, I Like Your Work (2), What’s Happening New Haven (WPKN), 10,000 Women 10,000 Stages, Art Witch, Artist/Mother (1), and I Like Your Work (1).