Theater Resources Unlimited Announces February Panel 'The Implications of the New Tax Laws for Artists, Producers & Non-Profits'

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) offers an important conversation onTuesday, February 20, 2018: The Implications of the New Tax Laws for Artists, Producers & Non-Profits at 7:30pm (doors open for networking at7pm) at The Playroom Theatre, 151 W. 46th Street, 8th fl., NYC. For more details, visit https://truonline.org/events/new-tax-laws/. Free for TRU members;$12.50 for non-members in advance ($15 at door), free for TRU. Please use the bright red reservation box at https://truonline.org/events/new-tax-laws/, or call at least a day in advance (or much sooner) for reservations: 212-714-7628; or e-mail TRUStaff1@gmail.com.

Speakers to include: Bailie Slevin, financial consultant with Entertaining Finance, a business management and financial consulting firm geared specifically toward creatives; Dave Spaulding, Enrolled Agent (EA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and the Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA) and partner at Phillips Gold & Partners; other to be announced.

This panel offers an important look at the new tax laws with respect to organization & entity structure, tax rates and how the new law bleeds down to the individual, whether producer or performer. Apart from the rate changes, and substantial bracket swings, there are quite a number of other surprising things both incorporated in the new law as well as left out. There are major reductions in tax deductions at the entity level but a near elimination of miscellaneous itemized deductions on the individual level making it very difficult for the small employee-performer. The doubling of the standard deduction may help some, but there are no personal exemptions left in the tax code. We'll look at how the tax laws might impact donor giving, and alternate strategies for maintaining and possibly growing support. Has the target donor base changed because of the change in deductions? On the plus side, perhaps, there are benefits in the new law for the self-employed and small business owner of either a partnership or S-corporation that could reduce taxable income from these specific entities. Our speakers will guide you through this confusing government-imposed maze and help manage expectations for artists.

Bailie Slevin is the founder of Entertaining Finance, a financial consulting and consulting firm geared specifically towards freelancers, specifically those in arts and entertainment. With 13 years of experience as a financial adviser and a hefty resume in theater, she is redefining planning for artists and entrepreneurs. She's worked with Certified Financial Services and Forest Hills Financial Group in finance and teaches Financial Literacy and Well-being workshops and speaks throughout the region on the specifics of Financial Management for Artists. As a stage manager, general manager, and producer on Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway, Tony Awards, Drama Desk, OBIE Awards, and IT Awards pepper Bailie's resume. Some of her favorite projects include The Norman Conquests, Altar Boyz, Naked Boys Singing!, Pursuit of Persephone, A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant, and Popesical in Concert at Joe's Pub. She currently serves as a board member for The PATH Fund and "Rockers on Broadway, a non-profit Arts organization committed to bringing arts education to all. Visit www.EntertainingFinance.com to learn more.

David Spaulding provides personalized service to individuals and businesses in tax consulting, tax compliance and controversy, business advisory, and tax planning. In addition, he offers detailed retirement planning services for individuals and families. A decade ago, David launched a specialized practice group, the Domestic Partners Network - through the advisory and services of a select group of multi-disciplinary professionals, the DPN offers a comprehensive approach to advising unmarried and same-sex couples, as well as non-traditional families, in the areas of tax compliance, estate and investment planning, insurance and healthcare, immigration and family planning. Mr. Spaulding holds a BA from Binghamton University (NY) and an MFA from Temple University (PA). With nearly thirty years' experience in taxation, David is an Enrolled Agent, licensed to practice before the Internal Revenue Service and more recently holds certifications as an Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA) Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC). He is a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals, the Financial Planning Association and the New York State Society of CPAs. David has served for twenty years as state treasurer and member of the executive board of Common Cause New York. David has also served as treasurer and a member of the board of directors of the Foundation for Small Voices, Luna Stage Company, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company and more recently The Statue Fund.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is the leading network for developing theater professionals, a twenty-five year old 501c3 nonprofit organization created to help producers produce, emerging theater companies to emerge healthily and all theater professionals to understand and navigate the business of the arts. Membership includes self-Producing Artists as well as career producers and theater companies.

TRU publishes an email community newsletter of services, goods and productions; presents the TRU VOICES Annual New Play Reading Series and Annual New Musicals Reading Series, two new works series in which TRU underwrites developmental readings to nurture new shows as well as new producers for theater; offers a Producer Development & Mentorship Program whose mentors are among the most prominent producers and general managers in New York Theater, and also presents Producer Boot Camp workshops to help aspirants develop the business skills they need. TRU serves writers through a Writer-Producer Speed Date, a Practical Playwriting Workshop, How to Write a Musical That Works and a Director-Writer Communications Lab; programs for actors include the Annual Combined Audition, Resource Nights and "Speed Dating" as well as actor workshops.

Programs of Theater Resources Unlimited are supported in part by public funds awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature the Montage Foundation.

For more information about TRU membership and programs, visit www.truonline.org or call 212 714-7628.