MARCH “Pretending Is Not 2013 Playing
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MARCH “Pretending is not 2013 playing. Pretending is Volume 98 imagined possibility.” Number 2 EQUITYNEWS — Meryl Streep A Publication of Actors’ Equity Association • NEWS FOR THE THEATRE PROFESSIONAL • www.actorsequity.org • Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and Additional Mailing Offices Annual Membership Meeting Equity Receives National Charter is Friday, April 12, 2013 stronger association in the labor from AFL-CIO community in various industries The Eastern, Central and Western Regions will be connected by Charter Presented by AFL-CIO President across the country and telephone hook-up for the April 12, 2013 Annual Meeting so that strengthens Equity’s position members in all Regions may be able to hear statements of RichardTrumka at American Federation of among the other entertainment candidates running for election to Council. Labor’s Annual Executive Council Meeting unions. The affiliation means The statements will begin at 2:30 pm (Eastern Time), Equity will have a voice in On Tuesday, February 26, unions across industries and 1:30 pm (Central Time) and 11:30 am (Pacific Time). discussions concerning various 2013, Actors’ Equity Association the nation. The meeting in the EASTERN REGION will convene at 2 pm issues — health, pension, received an historic national “For nearly 100 years, (EST) in the Council Room on the 14th Floor of the Equity charter in its centennial Building, 165 West 46th Street, New York, NY year from the AFL-CIO. The agenda will also include the following: The direct charter, which • Presentation of the Rosetta LeNoire Award. was given at the • Membership Discussion Period in accordance with the By-Laws. morning session of the (A Sign Interpreter will be present on request.) AFL-CIO Executive The meeting in the CENTRAL REGION will convene at 1 pm Council meeting, makes (CST) in the Member Center on the 1st Floor of the Equity AEA the 57th labor Building, 557 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL organization to receive The agenda will also include the following: the distinguished honor • Report of the Central Regional Vice President. of formal association • Report of the Central Regional Director. with the national • Membership Discussion Period in accordance with the By-Laws. federation of American The meeting in the WESTERN REGION will convene at 11 am unions. Representing (PST) in the Bellamy Board Room on the 5th Floor of the Equity Equity were First Vice Office, 6755 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA President Paige Price, Shown with Equity’s new national charter from the AFL-CIO are: (l to r) The agenda will also include the following: Executive Director Mary AFL-CIO Secretary Elizabeth Shuler, Executive Director Mary McColl, First Vice President Paige Price, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, • Report of the Western Regional Director. McColl and Assistant AFL-CIO Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker. • Report of the Western Regional Vice President. Executive • Membership Discussion Period in accordance with the By-Laws. Director/Eastern Actors’ Equity has stood for wages, safe working conditions Regional Director and General excellence in the American and more. Equity will also be Counsel Tom Carpenter. theatre, and for dignity, fairness part of AFL-CIO’s annual Your IncomeTax AFL-CIO President Richard and respect for stage actors conferences, and executive Trumka presented the charter to and managers,” said President meetings. Are We Having FunYet? AEA First Vice President Price Trumka. “Today Equity has Accepting the charter on and Executive Director McColl. affirmed those values as well as behalf of the Union, First Vice And OtherTidbitsTo Help Joining President Trumka at the its affiliation with all of American President Paige Price thanked presentation were Vice labor, and we are happy to be President Trumka and members You Navigate Audits President Arlene Holt-Baker, presenting this great union with of the Council and said: “For all Secretary Elizabeth Shuler and a new AFL-CIO charter.” of us, receiving the direct member’s dozens of receipts for By Sandra Karas members of the AFL-CIO The direct charter to the charter on the threshold of our Director, VITA Program business expenses deducted on Executive Council, representing AFL-CIO provides Equity with a the subject’s return. The auditor (continued on page 2) Job Satisfaction issues a recommendation that Here is the audit scenario: results in denial of most of the The IRS examiner completes ordinary and necessary claim to deductions allowed skills and regularly seek knows nothing about who you reviewing copious piles of expenses incurred by our fellow under the Code – the lawful employment, as the lengths of are and what you do. Keep good receipts, bank statements, member in the production of the reduction of the theatrical artist’s the employment contracts are records, your contracts, contracts, itineraries, income member’s work.Yours truly income by those expenses that generally limited.” itineraries, playbills, photos, trade verification, per diem payments (Sandra Karas) is on the phone are ordinary and necessary in This is not an isolated publications, and a detailed and the professional union in an effort to appeal the pursuing and maintaining the incident. I have had dozens of calendar of auditions, interviews, auditor’s recommendation. The career. So, I carefully responded. such conversations over the classes, and receipts of examiner suggests that 1) The “I assume you also enjoy your years with IRS agents and have everything you wish to deduct on expenses are not required by the tried to educate them as to the your returns. Remember that employer; 2) The member has nature of our work. Ultimately, we there is no basic understanding not presented sufficient achieve favorable determinations of how you spend your money, documentation to justify each for members in most cases, but it only the requirement that you expense; 3) (And furthermore, is never easy. What it teaches us can prove you spent it! Add to the examiner adds a query, to is that, regardless of how that your preparedness to wit:) “But she enjoys her job, seriously you pursue the explain what the heck you do right? She has fun doing this.” business, your work is often each day, whether working or This seemed to suggest that if considered something of a not, and you will be in good one derives pleasure, enjoyment, hobby.Yougotoworkwhenmost stead if an audit examination even fun from one’s vocation, it people finish for the day.You toil notice should arrive in your isn’tarealjob,orworthyof for something that they consider mailbox. serious consideration relative to recreation.You create their (continued on page 3) the expenses attached to its relaxation. Such is the nature of pursuit. work and gain great satisfaction entertainment, but as we all Index Yes, I felt the familiar from performing your job well.” know, it does not reduce the level frustration and impatience rise She was silent for a moment and of effort, training, discipline and Equity receives national charter from AFL-CIO.........................1 again, but this was not the first then answered, “Well, yes.” I skill that you must use to provide time I have discussed an artistic said, “Then, I would suggest that that entertainment product. So, Your income tax .....................1 this taxpayer has chosen a we continue to educate those NEWS career with an IRS agent. As we From the President..................3 all have, I have encountered this career with much the same care who would judge us, especially kind of patronizing approach to as you and derives as much those whose judgments can Centennial feature: theartsatmanylevelsoverthe satisfaction from it. However, affect our tax liabilities! Women in Equity ....................6 UITY unlike you, the taxpayer must years. In an audit, however, I As you prepare your tax National News .......................8 Q endeavor to argue the facts as spend thousands of dollars each returns, also prepare them to be 165 West 46th Street New York, NY 10036 Address Service Requested Second Class Postage Paid in New York, NY E Letters ...............................12 well as the merits of an artist’s tax year in order to maintain job examined by someone who 2 / EQUITY news MARCH 2013 Equity Receives Charter History infused the occasion. of stage actors and stage Attendants-CWA), and Randi Area Liaison Equity’s first charter was managers as union members Weingarten (American continued from page 1 Hotline system granted on July 18, 1919 but Actors’ Equity Association Federation of Teachers) spoke 100th anniversary renews our through the Associated Actors has a long and proud history of with Price and McColl, Call 877-AEA-1913 commitment to working on and Artistes of America (4As). being part of the labor congratulating them and behalf of our members and all A few weeks later, the fledging movement. It is a cornerstone welcoming Equity to the AFL- Equity has a National toll-free Americans to create a union called a nationwide in Equity’s foundation and we CIO as a directly chartered hotline system for members who workplace where there is strike. On August 26, AFL are pleased to receive this union. th live in Area Liaison and office fairness and dignity for President Samuel Gompers direct charter in this, our 100 Later in the evening, a cities. The number is 877-AEA- everyone. Theatre is a union- came to an Equity membership year. To quote our first reception was held at which 1913 (honoring the year of Eq- made industry - from the IATSE meeting and pledged his President Francis Wilson, ‘Our the AFL-CIO again celebrated uity’s founding). Each Area stagehands, to the musicians of support: “Whatever influence or trail is out of the wilderness and Equity. Paige Price spoke Liaison city has its own exten- the AFM, to the Operating power there may be in the great that trail is affiliation with briefly about the Union, sion, where members can ac- Engineers and everyone in American Federation of Labor organized labor.’” reaffirming Equity’s commit- cess news and information in between, Equity members to help you, rest assured that SAG-AFTRA Co-Presidents ment and noting that the their region.