As a photographer and educator who works with creatives in their first few years of business, I know how confusing sales tax can be. Between state-specific rules, inconsistent advice in Facebook groups, and the feeling of “I’m just a service provider—this shouldn’t apply to me,” it’s no wonder so many photographers feel overwhelmed.
That’s exactly why I created a video all about Sales Tax Myths That Could Cost Photographers. These are the kinds of misconceptions that could cost you real money, whether it’s penalties from your state or having to back-pay taxes you didn’t realize you owed.
Why These Sales Tax Myths Are So Risky
I’ve heard from so many photographers who assume that if they don’t sell physical products, they don’t need to worry about sales tax. Or that digital delivery is totally exempt. Or that sales tax is something to figure out “later.”
But here’s the truth: sales tax laws vary by state, and the line between what’s considered a taxable product or service isn’t always as clear as we wish it was. If you’re charging clients without properly collecting sales tax—or worse, not registering at all—you could be setting yourself up for a surprise audit or a hefty fine.
What You’ll Learn in the Video
In the video, I break down some of the most common and dangerous myths I hear from photographers, including:
- “I only deliver digital images, so I don’t need to collect sales tax.”
- “If I’m a service-based business, I’m automatically exempt.”
- “Sales tax doesn’t apply unless I’m selling prints or albums.”
- “I don’t need to worry about this until I make more money.”
Spoiler alert: none of these are entirely true. And continuing to believe them could cost you down the road.
This Is Part of a 4-Part Series on Sales Tax
This video is actually part 1 in a full YouTube series where I walk through the must-knows of sales tax for photographers. If you’ve been putting off learning this part of your business or you’re still guessing your way through it, this series is for you.
Each video is short, simple, and to the point—because I know your time is valuable. I’m here to break things down so you can feel confident you’re doing things the right way without drowning in legalese or second-guessing everything.
Let’s Make Taxes Suck Less—Together
I know taxes aren’t the most exciting topic in the world. But avoiding them doesn’t make them go away. You deserve to run your business with confidence—and not worry that a sales tax audit could come out of nowhere and wreck everything you’ve built.
I’m here to help make it make sense.
Click below to watch the video and finally get clarity on Sales Tax Myths That Could Cost Photographers. So you can stop stressing and start protecting your business the right way.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/mBthi4SJlg4
XOXO – Heather
And don’t forget to grab the Make Taxes Suck Less Course: A Beginner Photographer’s Guide to Taxes. It includes everything you need to confidently navigate the complexities of business taxes as a photographer.
Let’s make this the year you take control of your business finances!
Let’s Prep for Tax Season – Together
Keep more of what you make inside of your business with these 5 key deductions for photographers. I’m sharing all inside of my free class — Maximizing Your Tax Deductions as a Photographer!
Make tracking your numbers easy with my Tax Prep Spreadsheet and ensure that tax season is a breeze.
Transform your passion into a thriving business and unlock success for your photography business with my free guide to setting goals for the first year of your photography business.
Mastering your business taxes starts with understanding the different tax categories. Grab my free tax category guide to take the first step towards stress-free taxes today.
Want taxes to suck less? Learn how to correctly prepare your taxes for your accountant with the Photographer Tax Course – and say hello to a confident and calm tax season!
Don’t know what you don’t know? You’re just 90 minutes from a custom tax prep system with my 1:1 Tax Prep Mentoring sessions!
More Blog Posts for Photographers:
Sales Tax Basics for Photographers – Do You Need to Collect?
What Tax Forms Do Photographers Need to File? A Beginner’s Breakdown
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