Business Structures for Artists: Thinking Beyond Sole Proprietorship

Facilitated by Hannah Cole

This workshop occurred on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

How should you structure your business? What is a tax entity, what is a legal entity, and where do they overlap? How can you protect yourself, get the best tax benefit, and keep your legal and tax admin manageable? What works best for your particular type of operation, your risk, and your capacity for complex paperwork?

In this workshop longtime artist and tax pro Hannah Cole, of Sunlight Tax, will clarify the different options, and the pros and cons of each, so you can tailor your decisions for your unique needs. We’ll focus on the difference between a legal entity and a tax entity, the tax implications, and the level of complexity and expense that each type of entity involves. You’ll leave knowing what you need to cover first, and which entity decisions can wait until later, and you’ll know which questions to ask in order to determine your best option. We will discuss LLCs, sole proprietorships, S Corporations, Partnerships, C Corps, Co-operatives and B Corporations. This session will have a special emphasis on the tax implications and the complexity level of your choices, so you don’t get stuck in an entity that is more than you can handle. Hannah Cole is known for her clear, empathetic workshops that break down complex topics and value your important work as a creative.