Perception versus reality

What one thing do you wish you could write off against tax, that you (legally) can't. Make your case.

by Dietrich

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Accountants likely have all sorts of great stories about people trying to write off all manner of things against their taxes. Since we’re wishing, let’s consider the kind of writer’s income where a major tax write-off would be just the thing, oh yeah, and legal.

Since my stories are set in a variety of locales across North America, I think it’s only reasonable that I should visit each of these places so I can better write about them. I’ve used settings from the west coast, from Los Angeles up to Alaska, and right across Canada, and the Great Plains. 

So, I think it would be within reason to make myself mobile as well as comfortable. I happen to like the look of those big Airstreams, let’s call mine a thirty-foot Flying Cloud. It’s just the thing for the writer who’s looking to do some tapping on the laptop while the miles clip past, on route to some hands-on research, visiting story settings in both comfort and style. This thirty-footer’s got a kitchen, lounge, bedrooms, bathroom, and a closet big enough for my glittery writing ensembles, in case I do a reading event while I’m on the road.

The question asked for one thing, but I’ll need something to haul the Airstream around. So, although I’m not a big SUV guy, I’m kind of partial to the Mercedes G-Class, one matching the Airstream’s silver, please.

And so I can work while I hit the open road, I think a chauffeur would be within reason — somebody to drive while I think up the next scene. And to show the taxman I’m reasonable, I’ll go bare bones and forego the personal trainer, assistant, and sushi chef.

And while we’re at it, let’s remember to stock the pantry and fridge. Writing is hard and thirsty work. And let’s keep all the receipts.

One more thing I’d like to add: there’s nothing worse than that endless road noise while I’m writing, so to avoid it and increase my output, let’s add some high-end audio. I’ve mentioned in past posts that I play my tunes while I write, you’ve all heard me say that. And Bang and Olufsen makes some fine audio gear, and I’m sure the tax man will have no problem with that.

Obviously I’m no accountant, and I understand expenses related to leisure items aren't normally deductible. However, by the taxman’s very definition of a home, meaning anything with a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom (which my Airstream has), there should be some legit deductions and perhaps some business-related tax breaks to boot. It’s the kind of logic that likely explains the need for people like me to have accountants in the first place.

Well, let’s start with that list, and I hope I’ve made a reasonable case for some write-offs. Now, where’s that tax form.

Taxes, shmaxes

Terry, here, currently writing from book tour.

Our question this week is: What one thing do you wish you could write off against tax, that you (legally) can't. Make your case.

Since I always have more to write off than I have earned income as a writer, I don’t see that it would do much good to have more to write off.

What might be more useful is to be paid for time-draining activities that I am not paid for as a writer, but that I have to do, and often enjoy doing.

Promotion:  I spend countless hours on promotion and promotion-related activities

1)    arranging book events—readings at bookstores, libraries, book clubs (no, my publisher does not arrange or pay for these events).

2)    writing numerous blog posts around the time a book comes out (my publicist arranges some of them, but I also arrange some, and I have to write them)

3)    buying clothes so I’ll look presentable at events (yes, I know wah wah, but it has to be done)

4)    thinking up new promo possibilities. That means scouring on-line sites as well as hard copy sites and trying to figure out what I might tie into my book that might be of interest to readers.

5)    Keeping my website up to date.

6)    Keeping a presence on social media—not strictly necessary, but it keeps me connected with readers and makes a platform for when I have a book to shout about

7)    Writing newsletters. Not only is it time-consuming, but for some reason I find it hard. II read other newsletters that seem chatty and friendly, and I can’t seem to find that tone. They always sound stiff and dry.

Research: I am not prone to going down rabbit holes for research, but I do have to look up various pieces of business. For example, I am starting to think about my next Samuel Craddock book, which will be set at a motorcycle rally. I’ve already done some on-line research, looking at photos of rallies, reading about who attends, and what happens there. At some point I’ll have to go to a rally to get the flavor of it. I’ll have to learn a lot more about motorcycles. That’s just for starters. I suppose you could argue that eventually I get paid for these activities when the book comes out, but sometimes a lot of time spent on research doesn’t make it onto the page.

Reading: Specifically, reading articles about writing and writers, reading books by writers I need to keep up with (I don’t mean like in keeping up with the Joneses; I mean knowing what they are writing, what the trends are, ). Reading books about writing subjects, like ways to make my writing sharper, ways to make setting, plot, dialogue, characters stand out in a crowded field of great writers.

Supporting other writers. Although this is one of my favorite activities, it takes time to go to writers’ events, read their books, and put the word out on social media if you think the book is excellent. Supporting other writers means reading books to give blurbs. It also means reading works in progress for writers who ask for beta readers, and coming up with comments that will be helpful.

“Writing” activities: Daydreaming, fiddling around, doing sudoku, reading the news, staring at the walls. If I got paid for these, I’d be wealthy.

Maybe somebody I’ll be able to wish I could take these off my taxes, but that will have to wait until my income outstrips my outgo.

I'm on book tour right now for my newest, which came out last month. Hope you'll take a look at it.

The Launch By Brenda Chapman

What one thing do you wish you could write off against tax, that you (legally) can't. Make your case.

Good Monday morning. I must confess that I haven't come up with a tax write off idea for a couple of reasons. The first is that in Canada, we can write off almost anything to do with writing, including magazines and books, trips and conferences.

The second reason for my lack of a good argument is that I spent the weekend getting ready for the Ottawa launch of Turning Secrets, my latest book in the Stonechild and Rouleau police procedural series and then partying with friends. The event took place yesterday afternoon at a pub on Elgin Street called The Cross. The Haughian Brothers Band entertained the crowd with a break for a short reading. My daughter Lisa Weagle introduced me and did a fabulous job. Rather than me prattling on, here are a few photos of the event taken by my friend Fred Taylor. I'm off to find another cup of coffee :-)