1540 Sul Ross  Houston, Texas 77006   (713) 526-4876    info@talarts.org     http://www.talarts.org

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Newsletter

March 2010
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Individual Income Tax Seminar for Artists, Saturday, March 6, 2010

TALA is pleased to offer the second of two seminars this tax season for individuals needing information on filing individual tax returns and answers to tax questions.  These seminars are structured with artists in mind and will address common concerns artists may have about hobby loss, and other IRS regulations pertaining to creative practice.  Michele Stanton, CPA, will present the same seminar in both February and March.  Michele is a long-time TALA volunteer and experienced CPA who often works with individual artists through TALA.  This seminar is free and open to TALA members and non-members, however advanced registration is required.  Please see the form below to register for the seminar.  

Registration Form (Word Document)
Registration Form (PDF)

Individual Income Tax Seminar for Artists
Saturday, March 6, 2010
10 am - 12 pm
Art League Houston Education Building
Bomar Street and Montrose Boulevard
1003 Bomar Street
Houston, TX 77006-1243

Link to Google Map

Call for Volunteers! Menil Community Arts Festival, Saturday, March 13th, 2010

If you are interested in volunteering for the Menil Community Arts Festival through TALA, please contact < info@talarts.org > with the subject "Menil Community Arts Festival Volunteer".  TALA will be staffing the information booth on the deck of the Menil Bookstore and we will need about 10 volunteers throughout the festival.  Again, please contact < info@talarts.org > if you are interested in volunteering.

The Menil Collection museum and a group of surrounding non-profit arts organizations come together on Saturday, March 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to host a free afternoon of art and entertainment that will extend across the Menil "campus" from West Alabama to Richmond Avenue.  Highlighting the diversity of the Menil neighborhood arts community the festival will include films and performances, from chamber music to literary readings, performances and workshops.   The festival will be held in and around the Menil's four buildings for art: the 1987 museum designed by architect Renzo Piano to house and display the art collection assembled by Dominique and John de Menil, Cy Twombly Gallery, the Byzantine Fresco Chapel, and Richmond Hall (the permanent installation of work by Dan Flavin).  Participating organizations include Art Colony Association, Aurora Picture Show, Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum, Da Camera, Inprint, the Menil Collection, Southwest Alternate Media Project, Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts, the Rothko Chapel, Watercolor Art Society-Houston, and Writers in the Schools.

Call for Volunteers! Bayou City Arts Festival March 26, 27 and 28, 2010

TALA is looking for interested volunteers to please contact us at  < info@talarts.org > by March 9th.  Registered volunteers will receive free admission to the Festival and a t-shirt.  We are looking for 42 volunteers for the weekend, so please don't hesitate to tell friends and family about this opportunity!  Volunteer shifts are four hours each and available in the morning, afternoon, and evening.  Feel free to contact the TALA office at  < office@talarts.org > with any questions you may have about volunteering.  Thank you!

TALA is participating as a nonprofit partner with the Art Colony Association for the Memorial Park Bayou City Arts Festival.  The festival features 300 juried artists in an outdoor gallery, plus an area for children's activities, restaurants, wine bars, and a performing arts stage.  The festival will be held this year on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 26, 27, and 28, 2010.  

Nonprofit Workshops presented by the Houston CPA Society, the United Way, and TALA

These courses address issues of concern and interest to accounting and legal professionals who perform services for nonprofits, board treasurers, and financial staff members of nonprofits.

All seminars held at
The United Way Center for Philanthropy, Leadership, and Volunteerism
50 Waugh Drive at Feagan Street (north of Memorial Drive)
Houston, TX 77007

More 990 (Course Number NPS545.M)*
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Although many nonprofits have already experienced the challenge of completing the new 990 tax return mandated by the IRS, many will be encountering it for the first time as 2010 gets underway.  With complex new requirements and still-changing interpretations, this session will continue the discussions begun in 2009 and provide practical guidelines on completing the required paperwork in an accurate and efficient way.  Join Jody Blazek, CPA, and Amanda Adams, Blazek & Vetterling, for an update on the 990 experience, with plenty of time for questions and comments.

Please visit the Houston CPA Society website for pricing and registration information
* 3 hours CPE credit is available for each session

Income Tax Seminar for Artists co-sponsored by the Austin Music Foundation Monday, March 29, 2010

This income tax seminar for individual artists is co-sponsored by Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA) and the Austin Music Foundation and will give attendees on overview of tax regulations pertinent to individual artists and the process for filing an individual 1040 return.  Issues such as hobby loss, filing an IRS Schedule C, and common deductions for artists will be addressed.  This event is FREE and open to the public.

Monday, March 29, 2010
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
held at the
Austin Community Foundation
4315 Guadalupe Street 
Austin, TX 78751-3644

To register for this seminar, please contact < info@talarts.org >.

Nonprofit Orientation Session, Tuesday, April 13, 2010

This session will be held on Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the TALA Office (1540 Sul Ross Street, Houston, TX 77006).  These sessions are designed to provide information to those interested in forming a tax exempt, nonprofit corporation and cover the basic function and structure of exempt organizations, bookkeeping and tax issues related to exempt organizations, and other pertinent information.  There will also be a time for questions and answers during the session.  Session will be presented by Erin Rodgers, TALA Staff Attorney.  Please contact < info@talarts.org > to reserve a space.  Space is limited.

Nonprofit Orientation Session
Tuesdat, April 13th, 2009
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
TALA Office
1540 Sul Ross Street
Houston, TX 77006

Estate Planning for Artists Seminar, Wednesday, April 21, 2010

TALA is pleased to offer an estate planning for artists seminar presented by Mary Galligan of Galligan and Manning.  More details to follow, but please mark you calendars for Wednesday, April 21, 2010 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and contact < info@talarts.org > for registration information.

Payroll Exams and Governanace Check Sheet from Blazek & Vetterling

For nonprofits who are nearing the end of their fiscal year or beginning to file the IRS Form 990, the check list below from Blazek & Vetterling contains useful information about employees, governance, and board members.  Thank you to the folks at Blazek & Vetterling for sharing thsi valuable information with TALA.

Blazek & Vetterling check sheet (PDF)

Online Membership Payment Now Available

TALA needs your support!  Please consider becoming a member, or renewing your membership today.  We can now accept payment via PayPal through our website.  Please see the link below.

Membership payment through PayPal

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