THE BUSINESS OF ART :: LEGAL & TAX ISSUES

As an artist, you will encounter legal and tax issues throughout your entire career. We have gathered articles and resources as a starting point to help you find practical information about contracts, copyrights, trademarks, self-employment taxes, tax-exempt status, and other legal and tax issues. The information you obtain at this Web site cannot be used as a substitute for sound advice from a competent arts attorney or accountant.

CONTRACTS
Advice on creating and negotiating contracts, sample contract and agreement forms, and more.

COPYRIGHT
The basics of the Copyright Act, Visual Artists Rights Act, protecting your work, and other copyright issues.

STARTING A COMPANY
Whether you start working together as an informal group, non-profit, business or something entirely new, here's how to start one, why to start one, and other information resources.

SELF-EMPLOYMENT TAX
Requirements for being an independent contractor or self-employed, Web resources on taxation for the self-employed.

FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
What it is, when to use it, resources for sponsorship.

GENERAL RESOURCES
Self-help legal information, answers to frequently asked questions, local resources and more.