Have You Been Over-paying the IRS?

Elizabeth Klungness was raised in a family of third-generation newspaper writers and publishers. She grew up believing that everyone wrote "what was in their deviled minds." Although she has yet to publish any of her nine completed novels, Klungness has over 300 writing credits, 13 of which were articles published in magazines for writers. Klungness also writes non-fiction books, such as The Prisoners in Petticoats, which is used in women's studies and libraries across the nation. It is the story of twenty-nine women who served time in the old Arizona Territorial Prison at the turn of the century.

In addition to Tax Tips for Writers, Klungness' book, Grandma I Want to Write a Book, is currently available through the publishing company she formed, Tower Enterprises. About this book, Klungness says, "I wanted something I could take to grade schools throughout the West and Midwest to speak to young people and encourage them to express themselves on paper." When not writing, speaking at conferences, or working on the annually updated version of Tax Tips, Ms. Klungness publishes a monthly newsletter for writers, which gives information on writing markets and publishing opportunities, and she also provides manuscript editing services. As if that isn't enough, she hopes to one day open a bookstore for writers so we can get all of our writing needs in one place, find out of print manuals, and network over coffee and her famous cinnamon rolls. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

OK, now for some items you can deduct from your taxes. These and many more can be found in Tax Tips for Writers.

Supplies like printer paper and ink, copying, and envelopes and postage for mailing manuscripts

Publications such as "how to" manuals, writing periodicals providing information on writing and/or publishing, and magazines purchased to determine their style before submitting works to them

Outside help including editing services, writing classes, and conferences

Any writing related expense you have is deductible. The above items may be pretty obvious but what about those kids you took for pizza after the ballgame? If you were writing an article about children's appetites, you used what you learned as you watched them, right? Did you spend a weekend in the country to research the setting of your current novel? If so, all or part of these travel expenses are deductible. The most important thing is to keep good records. Save your receipts and either develop

The copyright of the article Have You Been Over-paying the IRS? in Novel Writing is owned by Kim Kay. Permission to republish Have You Been Over-paying the IRS? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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