Posts Tagged ‘Robyn Guilliams’

The Elephant and The Frog

Thursday, May 29th, 2014

By Robyn Guilliams      Dear Law & Order I’ve been hearing a lot about a recent U.S. ban on ivory that will prevent string players from transporting their instruments in and out of the country.  However, I recently travelled to Europe and back with my cello (my bow has a small ivory inlay in […]

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We’ve Been Hacked!

Wednesday, September 4th, 2013

By Robyn Guilliams Dear Law & Disorder: Performing Arts Division, We are a small presenting organization, and we use an outside company to handle our ticket sales.  The company provides us with cloud-based software, which we use to process both online and box office ticket sales. We were recently informed by the software company that […]

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A Room With A View…and a 1099

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

By Robyn Guilliams Dear Law and Disorder, I have been in artist management for a long time, thought I had seen it all, but something just came up for one of my artists that has me completely stumped.  My client was sent a 1099 for a hotel stay that the presenter provided for an engagement.   […]

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Accommodating Audience Members

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

By Robyn Guilliams Dear Law and Disorder, I run a small nonprofit presenting organization. We recently received an email from a patron who wanted to attend a particular performance, and he asked if we provide accommodations for the deaf.  He indicated that either an American Sign Language interpreter or some sort of close captioning system […]

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Another Taxing Question

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013

By Robyn Guilliams, Esq. Dear Law and Disorder: There seems to be some clarification needed regarding income earned by non-US artists we represent who perform in Canada. We act as the agent for the artists, so payment is always made to us.  If an artist will be performing in Canada, but payment comes to us […]

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What’s Wrong With Canada?

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

By Robyn Guilliams, Esq. Dear Law and Disorder Why is it necessary for Canadian performers to obtain work permits in order to perform in the United States? Although Visas are not necessary, the work permit is necessary. Why are the artists not able to enter the way other business people under the North American Free […]

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Non-Profit and Tax-exempt: What’s In a Name?

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

By Robyn Guilliams What is the difference between a “non-profit” organization and a “tax-exempt” organization?  I hear these terms used interchangeably – do they mean the same thing? Great question!  These terms do not mean the same thing.  All tax-exempt organizations are non-profits; however, not all non-profits are tax exempt. When an organization wishes to […]

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The 30% Withholding Tax Isn’t Just For Performers!

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

By Robyn Guilliams Dear Law & Disorder Team – We run an international competition that takes place in a different country every two years and each time we have to learn new lessons around taxation. What is the Withholding Tax situation around jury services or the teaching of master classes for non-US resident jury members? […]

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Do Competitions Need To Withhold Taxes On An Artist’s Prize Money?

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

By Robyn Guilliams We hold a piano competition where artists, some from abroad, pay their own way to come here to compete.  If they win any prize money, do we need to withhold taxes? For artists who are nonresidents of the U.S., I’m afraid you are required to withhold taxes! The general rule is that […]

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Posting Musical Performances on YouTube

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

By Robyn Guilliams Dear Law and Disorder, What are the copyright issues in posting a performance of a piece of music on YouTube for global streaming?  And, since people can easily download YouTube content, what are the implications for the person who’s posted it, or the downloaders for that matter? Before answering your question, I […]

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