APRIL “Success?What is it? 2011 I do not find it in the Volume 96 applause of the theatre; it Number 3 lies rather in the satisfaction of accomplishment.” EQUITYNEWS — Anna Pavlova 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 Reminder AEA’s Council Elections: Annual Membership Meeting is Get Ready toVote Friday,April 8, 2011 in All Regions EA’s 2011 Council Elec- doesn’t get caught in your spam ballot, go to The Eastern, Central and Western Regions will be tions are about to get filter. The email will come from www.actorsequity.org and find connected by telephonic hook-up for the April 8 Annual Aunderway. On Monday, actorsequityhelp the link for online voting. Enter Meeting so that members in all Regions may be able to hear April 11, 2011, ballots will be dis- @electionservicescorp.com. your unique internet log-in num- statements of candidates running for Council. Hook-ups will tributed by Election Services So- Vote Online: Even if you did ber (from your paper ballot) and begin at 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) lutions to all paid-up members. not pre-register for E-Voting, you your Member ID # (printed on The Eastern Regional Meeting convenes at 2 p.m. There are three ways to vote: can still vote online. the front of your membership (Eastern Time) in the Council Room on the 14th Floor of the E-Voting: If you registered for When you receive your paper card) and follow online voting in- Equity Building, 165 West 46th Street, New York, NY. E-Voting prior to March 24, you structions. The Central Regional Meeting begins at 1 p.m. (Central will not receive a paper ballot. In- Statements Paper Ballot: Paper Ballots Time) in the Member Center on the 1st Floor of the Equity stead, at approximately 11:50 from will be mailed out on April 11. Fill Building, 557 West Randolph, Chicago, IL. p.m. on April 11, you will receive Candidates out your paper ballot and return The Western Regional Meeting starts at 11 a.m. (Western an email from Election Services per the instructions provided. Time) in the Bellamy Board Room on the 5th Floor of the Solutions with instructions for for Election NOTE: All ballots must be Equity Office, 6755 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. voting online. to Council received by 5 p.m. (Eastern) Make sure this message (see page 5) on Friday, May 20, 2011. Your IncomeTax Let’s Not and Say We Did pharoplasty (eye lift). In fact, By Sandra Karas enjoy your Pilates, yoga, spin cosmetic proce- VITA Site Coordinator classes and general exercise dures are not regimens, but don’t include the even deductible t can’t be repeated too often gym membership as a business as medical ex- that certain expenses most expense. The few exceptions to penses, unless of us incur are simply NOT I this rule are the specialty class- they are pre- deductible on our income tax es your gym offers that can be scribed by a returns, regardless of what your considered performance relat- physician to cor- roommate or uncle or the swing ed (dance classes, martial arts, rect an acciden- on your tour had to say! We fencing and the like). Keep tal, traumatic or hear them every day and we track of those individual re- congenital de- must respond with the same ceipts as they are considered fect or disease. disappointing answers. So, on performance training. General If you feel that to what your acting coach (or toning and fitness workouts, un- surgical or other your dad’s golf buddy or your fortunately, do not qualify. And, cosmetic en- former professor) insists are tax in spite of the name, health hancements or deductions, that AREN’T: clubs do not qualify as medical procedures 1. Gym Memberships – Equity Supports Workers' expenses either, unless specifi- will help you This is a popular expense and cally prescribed by a medical earn extra mon- an equally non-deductible one Rights to Collectively Bargain practitioner to cure a medical ey in the biz, for many of our members. Stay- Actors' Equity Association supports the right of all public and private sector problem or disease. (If it makes unions to collectively bargain for wages, benefits and working conditions. understand that ing in shape and transforming you feel any better, firefighters These rights are a cornerstone of the American workforce and are fundamental you’ll be doing it yourself in those very important to the labor movement. These rights are also the foundation of Actors' Equity. and police officers aren’t al- on your own and highly employable ways Pictured above are AEA members and staff at a Wisconsin rally. lowed this deduction either.) nickel with no may be the tickets to more 2. Hair Cuts – Your hair may deduction to work, but are considered per- be one of the most important 3. Hair Coloring - Same rule is clearly associated with a cur- help you heal. sonal expenses by the IRS. So, aspects of how you present holds for color maintenance as rent job and is for use on the 6. Audition Clothing - This yourself, especially if you pass for the cuts and styles. Unless stage. Again, we find the main- is a favorite among our mem- yourself off as St. Jimmy at all you have to pay for it while tenance of an actor’s look, the bers who insist they wouldn’t be of your auditions (androgyny is you’re employed as an actor, requirements to successfully caught dead in anything they totally in these days), but main- it’s considered a personal ex- audition for on-camera work have in their closets and insist taining that look for your agent pense and not deductible. The- and stylized performances that on deducting clothing they are or while you’re auditioning and atres, studios and other venues require more than average forced to wear just to get work. interviewing for work is simply generally provide for hair care, street make-up to be neces- We feel your pain, but cannot not a business deduction. But wigs, cuts, coloring, etc., so let sary, but caution the deduction provide any relief on your 1040 your agent made you do it!!! them do the heavy lifting when of those expenses.What we – sorry! The government ap- We know and we sympathize, you’re working. recommend is that you pur- proach to this is that every but you can’t take it off your 4. Make-Up - Who still buys chase or stock your “kit” every working American conforms to taxes. There’s an exception to “theatrical make-up” these time you get a gig.This will al- a dress code of one kind or an- this (as there always seems to days? Greasepaint and nose low you to associate the make- other and is not allowed to be) for the cost of your hair putty have given way to more up, false eyelashes, and other deduct the cost of business or care only when you are work- natural and non-specialty prod- applications with a specific job, (continued on page 2) ing and that’s assuming the ucts in the theatre, but actors one that requires you to wear producer or employer does not are still required to provide their make-up under bright, artificial Index provide you with a wig or a hair own kits for theatrical jobs. stage lighting. (Note: most tele- Your income tax .....................1 stylist (which they usually do). Generally, grooming is consid- vision and film gigs will provide And we would argue that ered a personal expense and make-up and a stylist, so Legislative Corner...................2 make-up and hair care for your men and women in every walk there’s usually no requirement From the President..................3 NEWS head shots would also be de- of life engage in some kind of to buy make-up for those jobs.) ductible, but that’s a one- time applications of grooming prod- 5. Cosmetic Surgery and Letters.................................3 expense as well. Maintain your ucts in their everyday lives. Dentistry - No tax savings Theatre Spotlight ....................4 hair style, but don’t tell your ac- Congress thinks this is just an- here, my friends, just the sheer UITY countant about it unless you other personal choice and pleasure of showing your par- Candidates’ statements ............5 Q needed to keep it up while you makes no provision for it on the ents the new veneers, or your 165 West 46th Street New York, NY 10036 Address Service Requested Second Class Postage Paid in New York, NY National news ......................11 E were on a gig. tax return, unless your make-up agent the rejuvenating ble- 2 / EQUITY news APRIL 2011 Your Income Tax you have some method for ex- plaining your deduction. Re- Workers’ Rights Under Continued from page 1 member, the onus is on you to support the business expense work attire – so why should you and every actor is different, so Siege; Health Care Act be any different? The rule is don’t rely on what your friends that if it can be considered are claiming – rely on your own Under Attack “street wear,” it’s not a business experience. The exception (isn’t expense. The exception to this for political activity without writ- officials are looking at ways to there always one?) to this rule Legislativet press time, state law- rule is for specialty costumes or ten authorization and would al- defund the health care act.