I'm prepping for my upcoming Kickstarter and wondering if anyone has experience tax strategizing for crowdfunding.
For the past year and a half I've probably spent about $10K towards building our audience through marketing, crew and building a Kickstarter audience. Is this deductible, even though it's spread out over multiple years?
All finances have come from a personal bank account. Would it make sense at this point to set up an LLC (or an S-Corp) prior to launching our Kickstarter?
Our firefighters killing zombies movie could use any advice you have.
2 people like this
Not only should you keep track of expenses in order to write them off, remember you’ll need to pay taxes on Kickstarter funds raised. That’s income.
If you’re just getting started in business, I recommend a DBA (doing business as), also called a sole proprietorship. Then you can have a bank account in that business name, which makes bookkeeping simpler. It’s cheaper than a corporation, but one con is it doesn’t protect your personal money if there’s ever a lawsuit. So keep that in mind.
If you’ve spent 10k on this business venture, I hope you plan to make back more than that in fundraising!
1 person likes this
Perfect. Thanks, Mike Boas. It sounds like the difference is less taxes for sole proprietorship (self employment tax) but less protection in legal action.
3 people like this
Production funds should always go into a separate account, set-up as a SPV (special purpose vehicle) company (an LLC is standard) so as not to co-mingle a project's funding with other monies. This protects you from potential legal problems. As always, consult a tax / entertainment attorney.
3 people like this
Yes, if you have partners who all have shares in the film, LLC is the way to go.
It sounded to me like Ben was doing things on his own, with all his own money.
2 people like this
Indeed, however things change and a strong foundation avoids future nightmares.
2 people like this
Thank you, gentlemen.I think an S Corp would be more financially lucrative than an LLC, to dodge self employment tax. I always hear companies establishing themselves as LLCs, but it has never made sense to me when it comes time for tax season.
1 person likes this
UPDATE: LLC has been formed. Currently on track to be taxed as an S-Corp (we'll change that if need be). NOW, I've heard Kickstarters are taxed at the END of the fiscal year. However, I've also read Kickstarters are taxed once FULFILLMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED. Given that this is a movie, it's going to take some time. Also, does anyone know how the 1099-K form comes into play with any of this?
Super sexy information, I know. But they don't teach this in film school.