Hello,
I am a Software Engineer and from time to time, at work, we buy pictures for the websites that we develop and hire photographers for taking pictures for advertisements. I have always had a huge interest in photography and recently started reading a lot of books to educate myself as much as possible to do it for both enhance offerings at work and also do some freelancing.
Every year when I get my Christmas bonus a lot of it goes to taxes and whatnot. I could use a small portion of the taxes to buy a nice professional camera with an additional set of lenses especially for portraits for use in my profession and as a freelancer. I have been reading that useful and legitimate business expenses that an individual does not get reimbursed from their companies can be claimed in the individual?s personal taxes. I have been wondering if I could do that with the camera that I want because of what I am planning to do with it. As a freelance-photographer-to-be could I also claim it, especially since I will be including whatever income I get from this in my personal taxes for 2009?
An example of what I could do at work is that when a customer wants to include a picture of their staff or building for that matter, I would be able to do it if I had the equipment. Also, when making brochures and flyers for customers from the company of for other people who would pay me for it as a freelancer, a good camera would be essential to produce pictures with enough resolution to be able to work with. Another thing I would like to do is generate revenues online in blogs by doing photoblogging and perhaps selling some of the work that I would be able to achieve.
I would appreciate any advise or help anybody can provide to guide me in this matter. I am a person that likes to play by the rules and want to make sure that what I am thinking is legal.
Thanks in advance,
Caonex