APA Provides Industry Input to California SBOE on Upcoming Sales Tax Publication

June 21, 2007 - PRLog -- WHITE PLAINS, NY, June 21, 2007—The Advertising Photographers of America (APA) (http://www.apanational.com) is pleased to announce the upcoming printing and release from the California State Board of Equalization (SBOE): a completely rewritten and updated Publication 68, Tax Tips for Photographers, Photo Finishers, and Film Processing Laboratories.

This publication was written to specifically address the concerns of photographers and others in the creative industry regarding the applicability of photographers charging California sales tax. The issue goes back many years and came to a head in April 2001 when the California State Supreme Court ruled in favor of illustrator Heather Preston and deemed her work a “technology transfer agreement,” changing the ways sales tax is applied to the work of photographers and other commercial artists. The new Publication 68 includes changes mandated by the Preston case and input provide by APA.

Throughout this time, APA has been involved with the SBOE, along with other industry representatives, to provide advocacy and information on the sales tax issue on behalf of photographers. Former APA National President Jeff Sedlik formed the APA Tax Force, which encouraged the SBOE to clarify their position regarding if/when photographers are required to charge sales tax. Over the past few years as other photo organizations have become less involved, APA/LA member Paul Antico has championed this effort and continues to provide invaluable input to the SBOE to insure that photographer’s voices are being heard.

The currently available Publication 68 is out of date and should NOT be used by commercial photographers. The updated version of Publication 68 is expected to be available within a few months and APA will announce its release as soon as it becomes available.

“Publication 68 will provide a very valuable tool for California photographers and we are proud of APA’s contribution towards its publication,” states APA National President Don Dormeyer. “We owe special thanks to Jeff Sedlik and Paul Antico for their work on this project, as well as the other members of the APA Tax Force.”

In thanking Paul Antico and APA for their dedicated effort, Jeffrey McGuire, Chief, Tax Policy Division at the SBOE wrote: “I want to thank you and the Advertising Photographers of America for your assistance in developing the revisions to the California State Board of Equalization’s Publication 68, Tax Tips for Photographers, Photo Finishers, and Film Processing Laboratories. By including industry representatives in our revision process, we hope that the final publication will be more useful to its readers.”

“This long unwavering effort by our members is a clear demonstration of APA’s commitment towards the industry and the assurance that photographers’ concerns are being addressed,” says Constance Evans, APA National CEO. “Taking the lead to work directly with the SBOE is an example of the continued forward thinking by APA and the APA Tax Force and will be of great help to our California members.”  

About Advertising Photographers of America (APA)  
The Advertising Photographers of America (www.apanational.com) is the leading national organization run by and for professional photographers.  With a culture that promotes a spirit of mutual cooperation, sharing and support, APA offers outstanding benefits, educational programs and essential business resources to help its members achieve their professional and artistic goals.  Headquartered in White Plains, New York with chapters in Atlanta, Los Angeles, the Midwest, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Charlotte, Kansas City, and Washington, DC, APA strives to improve the environment for advertising photographers and clear the pathways to success in the industry.  Recognized for its broad industry reach, APA continues to expand benefits for its members and works to champion the rights of photographers and image-makers worldwide.

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