Serious business question for wedding photographers.... [Archive]

italianfemmy

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 14:19

This is a serious question. Please don't bash me for asking it.

Do ya'll get insurance and register yourself as a business from the beginning or did you do a certain number of weddings before you decided to make it legal? This question is ecspecially for those of you who obviously did not start out in a studio.

I can see being insured from the beginning but at what point do you decide to make yourself a legal business? To actually register your business name and start paying taxes and to pay for a business license.. etc.?

And for those of you who do pay taxes, do you pay taxes on every penny that is paid to you by the bride and groom or do you pay taxes on just your profit? I really don't know how the business end of this works. I have read some books but it seems so many people do things so much differently.

Ronald S. Jr.

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 14:29

I'm a risky fella. It'll bite me, I'm sure, but not yet. I've been doing weddings for a while now, and I've yet to insure my stuff or register my business.

Geez...just imagine if I had my stuff insured, how often I'd have to change my policy!!

Kai

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 14:30

I purchased my camera in late August of last year, started practicing, reading, learning and taking pictures for friends and family. As soon as other people started hearing about me - no advertising - I decided I needed to become legal if I was going to charge these people. Starting January 1 of this year I have been collecting sales tax and putting away 30% for taxes. I don't have insurance yet because, well I don't know why. I quess I don't know to much about it. I keep track of all receipts and keep the money seperate from our household account.
You need to check out the laws where you live. I know of some people who do photography as little as me, charges the same as I do and have never registered as a buisness. I choose to do everything the right way. Hope this helps.

italianfemmy

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 14:34

Well, thanks for your input. Part of me feels like it would be fine not to make everything legal until it becomes more of a career than a hobby. And, by that I don't mean what I want to do with wedding photography, I mean how much business I generate for myself. If I only get 2 or 3 weddings in a year... it's more of a hobby. If I get like 10-20-30 or even more.. to me... that's more of a "business." And more justifiable to run out and pay for all the licenses and what not.

I do think I want to be insured by the time I take my first paid wedding and I need to get insurance on my equipment anyway. It's starting to get up there in value and I have intentions of adding more things soon.

sapearl

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 14:36

For years when I first started out, I made so embarrasingly little that it was really pathetic. Just about everthing I made got plowed back into bodies, lenses, darkroom equipment and supplies. I felt there was nothing left to declare.

When I started advertising and spreading my name around, my accountant advised me to go "legit" and put everything on schedule C of my tax return. "You're out there, being very public about what you do, it's too risky to fly under the radar." He's a pretty conservative guy - takes care of much of the business paperwork. I also got a vendor's license with the state, and collect and send in the sales tax I collect from my customers.

I also have a separate insurance policy for my equipment.

italianfemmy

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 14:45

That's what I am thinking Stu.. once I start advertising and getting my name out there and what not. I feel I need to shoot a couple weddings first to make sure I can even do it justice before I make it legit anyway. I have a lot of faith in myself but I might not be cut out for it. I won't know until I try and try and try. All I know is I have spent a good while practicing everything I can. Next weekend, I am going to some churches and going to practice shooting indoors with and without flash. I am going to set up a practice everything to make sure I have at least some experience with every situation before I take on a wedding for pay since nobody will let me 2nd shoot.

I just don't want to invest in additional business expenses and have to pay out the rear for taxes until it is more like a business.

picturecrazy

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 14:49

I made sure I was registered and insured before I showed up for my first paying job. Been paying taxes from day 1. Liability is a concern. If for some reason you damage a venue, or a kid with a sue crazy mom trips over a light stand, you are gonna be in deep deep trouble without insurance. You have $15,000 for a little johnny's trip to the hospital because he scraped his elbow? I sure don't, but my insurance company does.

And most insurance companies just insure your gear for a general dollar amount, you don't have to itemize every single piece you got . Not insuring because you change your equipment so often is not an excuse. Seriously, you're playing with fire.

That and some venues won't even let you shoot there unless you are insured. I have a wedding later that won't let any vendor in unless they have a minimum of 1 million in liability coverage.

italianfemmy

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 14:52

I plan on being insured. I won't wait to get insured. I will be insured by my first paid gig. I just don't want to register as a legal business until it becomes more like a business.

picturecrazy

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 15:05

hmmm, I seemed to remember I had to bring my registration documents when I started my insurance policy. maybe the rules are different in other places. Same thing with my business bank account.

cicopo

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 15:31

The nice thing about going legit is that you can properly deduct your start up costs and expenses, meaning that in the first year or 2 you normally won't make any real taxable income, but do have the protection of being a properly registered business. You would be surprised how easily a competitor could turn you in if he felt undercut by your pricing.

sapearl

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 16:14

Now THAT'S one angle I never thought of - I supose there are folks out there nasty enough to do stuff like that.

......., but do have the protection of being a properly registered business. You would be surprised how easily a competitor could turn you in if he felt undercut by your pricing.

Thomas Lunt

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 18:16

I waited a very long time to go "Legit" But that is mainly because I always knew the customer. Now that I advertise and have "Real" customers I registered. Plus I moved to The Peoples Republic of NEW JERSEY! Men in tall boots will come in the middle of the night and take my first born if I don't pay taxes.

When I formed the business my Home owners insurance told me my stuff was no longer covered because it was now business property but it's better with business insurance. As Picturecrazy said, the liability insurance is really important.

photographyzoo

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 18:22

Now I know that I will probably get audited just for asking this but how can the government honestly track to see what weddings you have booked and at what price? Its not like the couple declairs that money! What if you had insurance, just incase you do get sued but at the end of the year only declair some gigs you did?

How would you ever get caught unless someone rats you out? Or the government reads these forum...:p and you tell them how may weddings you did and charged XXX amount.

If the business is your name, you can keep the same bank account, and people could just make the checks out to me personally. I am just now thinking of doing wedding photography but there is a lot of work to do before that. I am new to these forums and I'll probably get ripped for brining it up but it is a valid questions!

lime

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 18:28

My business partner and I had a legit sports photography business before doing weddings, so when we started doing weddings we got our tax ID and insurance for the wedding biz. We have a tax guy that does our filing.

Nicole Faith

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 20:19

I got my gear insured before I stepped out of the house with it. (about a week after it all came in the mail) There is no way I could risk not being insured from day one.

I looked into the legal/business side of things - because in some cases the equipment, milage and whatnot can be deductable - but unless I was making a certain amount, it wasn't an option. I need to give myself more time to learn so that I can charge a decent amount before I will register my business name.

islandphoto

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 21:28

italianfemmy

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 21:33

How many of you declare every wedding that you shoot?

mizuno

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 21:45

How many of you declare every wedding that you shoot?

Are you trying to determine who the thieves are amongst us?

sapearl

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 21:51

That IS a valid question zoo.

IMHO, the odds are probably pretty low that a part time weekender wedding photographer would get nailed by the the IRS. That being said, somebody on this forum will probably get hit now :lol: . But in my case, I decided not to take the chance, on the advice of my CPA. Let's just say that it allows me to sleep easily at night.

Look at it this way: the more you advertise, the more you exhibit, make yourself public, get your name out there, the higher the odds that the Feds or somebody will take notice and check to see if you're paying taxes on it. I'm not saying it WILL happen, but it's entirely possible that it COULD happen if you become fairly well known in the community. It's basically an odds game.

Now, one of the upsides is the gear aspect, as in purchasing. Last year was not one my big earners. Oh, I made a respectable amount of money for something that is part time, but not as much as I would have wished. But because I purchased so much digital equipment, my tax guy says that I effectively only paid around 55 cents on the dollar for it when all the legit overhead and deductions were figured in.

Now I know that I will probably get audited just for asking this but how can the government honestly track to see what weddings you have booked and at what price?......

...How would you ever get caught unless someone rats you out? Or the government reads these forum...:p and you tell them how may weddings you did and charged XXX amount.

.....!

sapearl

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 21:56

A rather blunt, ballsy and direct question - and really nobody's business at all.... but I don't mind saying that I declare mine. It's consistent with everything else I've said here so far.

I'll be very surprised if many others answer what is an EXTREMELY personal question. I certainly don't blame them for refraining.

How many of you declare every wedding that you shoot?

LeesaB

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 22:36

OK OK>.sorry, I have to reply..

Femme...what are you doing? Why would you ask? Even if people did not declare them all, what do YOU think is the right thing to do?

It seems with all these questions you want us to build your business for you...there are things, man many things you are just going to have to go out there and do and figure what is best for you, your area and your business...

I don't even understand a few of the questions you have been asking...and I wonder why...and I just had to respond...and prepare for my head to be bitten off, but be that as it may....

I just find these questions a bit bizzare and personal...

Contact a lawyer...find out what he suggests for your area...and follow the rules of the road for your area and the type of business you decide to set up.

I think there is a forum for setting up a business too...maybe you can go there and ask these questions and they will be answered better then here...

Wish this would help

Wilt

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 23:06

Sales tax collection practices vary by state, so consult your state board for regulations. In CA, you charge the sales tax on the ENTIRE amount of a job; for example, if my time and materials and profit costs the customer $2000, I collect 8.25% in my county on the entire $2000.
In some other states, you don't collect sales tax on 'shooting fee' but for prints/album delivered; so if $1200 is fee, and the retail price of prints is $800, you might collect 8% of $800

Wilt

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 23:12

I have a business tax license but I am not insured. Maybe it's risky but I do have homeowners insurance which will cover any theft or damage to the gear. You see, I looked around a lot for insurance and most of the policies said that there was $1000 deductable. So I figure if I drop a lens or something, the insurance won't even cover it.

If you read your homeowner policy closely, you will find that any photographic equipment used for business purposes is not covered under homeowner's policy!

mizuno

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 23:16

Public Liability Insurance is also very important, at least in this part of the world.

islandphoto

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 23:31

If you read your homeowner policy closely, you will find that any photographic equipment used for business purposes is not covered under homeowner's policy! I asked the insurance agent when I bought the insurance. He said ANYTHING that I own is covered. Plus, even if I do use it for business, I also use the equipment for my own personal hobby.

Wilt

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 23:34

I asked the insurance agent when I bought the insurance. He said ANYTHING that I own is covered. Plus, even if I do use it for business, I also use the equipment for my own personal hobby.

your insurance agent is a salesman...how do you know when a salesman is lying? when his mouth is moving!

read your policy, don't trust what you are told, as his word is valueless in a court of law when a written contract (your policy) exists!

BaliHai

29th of June 2007 (Fri), 23:37

Find an accountant, look into small business development organizations, here in PA Gannon College helps get you on the right track and a lot of its free or at least with in the budget. I started right out with sales tax, business name filed with the state and insurance. Talk to your insurance agent see what they can do I had quotes from an agent specializing in studios and my local agent, my local agent discussed everything with the policy holder and we got a great deal that I'm comfortable with. We are just starting out but our name is getting around so there is no hiding anything. Personally for us this was the only way to go, since we live so close to Ny state we also had to get a Ny sales tax license (this came from our accountant who got us the info needed). Maybe we over did it but I sleep easier at night.

th3r0m

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 00:13

How many of you declare every wedding that you shoot?

Remember, it wasn't the cops or the feds that got Al Capone, it was the IRS for unpaid taxes on his illicit gains (he was a weekend wedding shooter in the 1930's I believe, but don't hold me to that :p)

And yes, according to the IRS you actually do have to put down any income you earn, legal, illegal or weekend wedding. ;)

Jim7226

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 00:27

In my opinion, if you're the type of person who is going to cut corners and not conduct your affairs in a very prudent and proper business-like manner from the get go, I think you have to do some serious introspection by asking yourself why you're even attempting to start a business.

islandphoto

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 01:38

Wilt - so you are saying that no homeowners policy will cover camera equipment if you have a business?

GertS

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 05:05

In Germany you have to be registered if you offer it. If you don't do it and you get caught, you will be fined for illegal work.

It's a lot of paperwork, but you don't need any longer a masters degree in photography. (No longer danger for public :lol: )
You have to pay taxes, ..... .

tlc

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 07:41

italianfemmy

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 16:35

The question may seem personal, but was not directed to a specific individual. It was a question I asked in a very open forum for anyone who wanted to answer. Nobody had to answer.

A couple people chose to share that they haven't gone legit or waited a long time to go legit. I am sure there are many many others who didn't say anything even though they're not legit. Call it playing it smart - that's fine but it was their choice not to answer.

If something is too personal for you personally, then don't answer it. I am asking these questions because I genuinely wanted to know what the "norm" is for most people. And, since I don't have photographer buddies to see what the "norm" is, I asked. I also was looking to see if anyone had any experiences from this that they would share.

I have been doing lots of practicing and looking into the business sides of things because I would like to get started by Jan. 2008 (oficially.) But, I wasn't sure when I should get myself "legal." So, I wanted to gauge what other people are doing.

As for the "how many of your weddings do you declare" question.. that was spawned by the following quote about how can the government know how many and track them.. made me think.. wow, how many people only report some of them......

Now I know that I will probably get audited just for asking this but how can the government honestly track to see what weddings you have booked and at what price? Its not like the couple declairs that money! What if you had insurance, just incase you do get sued but at the end of the year only declair some gigs you did?

How would you ever get caught unless someone rats you out? Or the government reads these forum...:p and you tell them how may weddings you did and charged XXX amount.

If the business is your name, you can keep the same bank account, and people could just make the checks out to me personally. I am just now thinking of doing wedding photography but there is a lot of work to do before that. I am new to these forums and I'll probably get ripped for brining it up but it is a valid questions!

LeesaB

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 17:06

I just got your PM as to if I saw your response, and now I have.

I understand why you are asking, but sometimes, these things are state by state, local by local...Seriously...contact a lawyer or even like someone said a local college may have a small business association to help free of charge.

I understand your anxiousness to get all the ducks in a row to get started...but honestly, some of it comes by doing, and doing..and you grow as you go...

I think you may be trying to start out totally accomplished and that just takes time.

Alot of your questions deal with what we charge, what we pay, what we expense, what we don't...and even if people can tell you, it may not be the sme for you and your area.

I went public last year...I really think NOW, I have a little bit of a grip on it..I shot for 3 years prior but just for family and friend, church people, etc. Now I am a business....I attended a small business worship (4 hours) and learned alot, about corp, llc, Sole P. and etc. Also got a ton of numbers AND because the man is hired by a grant, he is there for you to call and contact to help you anytime..by appointment...

Maybe some of your questions would be better off on PM from some of the friends you have made here?

As far as people answering your questions some may, some may be young also and not realize what they print, can be brought up many many moons from now.

My advice...get insurance, advertise and do your taxes...get a JK Lazerus book and read it...then follow it...talk with a pro in your area...

As far as asking us what things cost...I would take the idea, if you want to do and look it up in your area,,,air time, enlargements, etc...It really does vary..that is in response to another question you asked on another post.

it is just too wide an area to ask us all about costs...it differs from community to community and so forth...

The thing that set me to respond was you asking how many of us declare all we do...That really is no one business..and should NEVER EVER be discussed on the internet...or really at all..that is just too personal.

It's like asking your neighbor, knock on their door and ask them.."so did you declare all your earnings this year? See what kind of response you get...

so..in response..Yep, saw your response...
I really hope this helps..

italianfemmy

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 18:05

Wow, I really don't think it's fair to attack me because I asked a question that you feel is too personal. I would not knock on my neighbor's door and ask them that for the same reason I would not PM someone randomly and ask them. That's the reason I posted it publicly so everyone would have a choice to read it and whether or not to answer it. So, that it would not be personal of the person who chose to answer it.

Sorry I touched a sensitive spot. I guess how sensitive it is to some people really answers the question though. It would be really easy for me to say, " of course I declare every single wedding, that's the right thing to do." And, if I was a pro and did declare them all, I would not hesitate to say I did.

And by the way, I have recieved a few PM's from people stating that they don't but they didn't want to share that on the open forum. So... some people don't mind answering. Stu even said he does everything the right way. I guess it is to each their own what is the right way to do something. And, I'm sorry, but I don't see myself going to an accountant or somebody and saying, " hey, do you think I should claim every wedding I shoot?" That would be ridiculous. I'm sorry I don't know what the "norm" is for everything.

As far as me asking what you charge, I to my knowledge have never done that and if I did, it was months ago when I first joined the forum. I did ask what profit margins were like for people because I wanted to get a gauge of how much money I should realistically be expecting to profit from each wedding. I did not want people to tell me how much they charged though. I wanted to know basically what percentage of what you charged do you profit after your expenses.

But, it's cool. Sorry to ruffle feathers. Was never my intention. Nor did I want anyone jumping down because I asked an open question that was intended for people who were comfortable sharing the information. I guess I will go back and edit my post to say something like... "Warning: This post contains questions asking for sensitive information. Only proceed to read this post if you are comfortable with the idea of sharing some personal business information with the original poster!"

Use your own judgement and answer the question if you want to. If not, don't beat me up for asking a question that I genuinely was intrigued to know the answer to. And no, I do not work for the government.

jbstudios

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 19:14

One of the first things i did was contact an accountant and find out how to start a business. i wanted to make sure all my expenses were getting deducted. For my personal family we could then claim the long form which we have never been able to do. The benefits were much better to start a business. well i dont know for sure two small children and figuring out how to run a business has been very overwhelming =)

I personally claim all the money i make. I feel very convicted if i dont. That is just how i run my business. i'm sure others dont and thats why you are getting attacked =) i dont mind you being blunt and asking cuz i dont mind being honest. if i didnt want to answer i wouldnt as we all have the choice.

as i see it you are just trying to ask questions and very specific ones. This is your business and you need to figure these things out. sorry to be blunt, but what others do really doesnt matter compared to what you do. we all make different choices for different reasons.

ask away for questions but dont always do just cuz so and so does. On judgement day we are all acountable for ourselves.

good luck little miss

julie b

italianfemmy

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 19:17

Thanks Julie. That's what I was starting to think too. Just sucks when you get attacked by people who you look up to and admire, but it's cool.

I agree about not doing something just because so and so does. And, I really want to do things the right way. I am just scared to make myself "legit" until I atleast make enough to subsidize the costs for going "legit". But, that doesn't mean I won't because I am very afraid of UNcle Sam. lol

jbstudios

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 19:27

just get a good accountant. mine lets me call him or email anytime. he will know what the laws are. This was just the first thing i did. i'm actually glad now since all of my equipment was then recorded. people will attack you. once tim made me feel so bad taht basically for the questions i was asking i shouldnt be shooting. he had never seen my work and was just blunt. maybe he was right in someways, but there is so much more to shooting a wedding than just getting the perfect lighting down or understanding you camera. my best advice is................ pay someone who you look up to to teach you. i have done this three times and it is just the best! God has so provided that for me and its so the way i learn. but i can tell you its never about are you shooting in m if not you suck =)

good luck little lady. these are just people in the end running a business. we all do it different and will all give different advice. figure out how you learn and i can tell you i learn so much more than just these things. djs is just rockin! i dont find as much of the you suck so give it up and you are asking dumb questions =)

julie b

th3r0m

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 19:28

Chill out...no one was attacking you, questioning the questions you were asking maybe, but not attacking. You asked several questions in such way that it could be inferred that you are looking for ways to cut corners and checking to see who else is doing it as some sort of justification. What you asked refers to one's ethics and morals. For each person it is going to be different, everyone has their own ethical and moral standard. Just like only you can prevent forest fires, hopefully only YOU are going to have to live with the way that you do business.

As to your questions..

According to my own set of ethic and moral standards, YES you should declare every wedding you shoot and you are LEGALLY required too (non-withstanding the arguments of whether personal income tax is legal or not according to the constitution).

As to setting up a business, if you are going to be using your name (ie Italianfemmy Photography) than you don't need a DBA at least. Your local city/county/state may require that you do have a business license and/or state sales tax certificate (to collect sales tax from goods/services you sell). As for insurance, you should definitely look into (which it appears that you are) to protect yourself not only from property loss but from personal indemnity from the sue happy folks we call our neighbors. Consulting a local accountant/attorney about your local regulations is best in this regard to CYA.

I honestly wish you the best of luck with your business (however you choose to set it up) :)

th3r0m

italianfemmy

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 19:44

I just want to do the right thing but I also don't want to be a dummy. It's like.... senior skip day in school. Technically, everyone shouldn't skip but basically everyone does. I'd feel pretty stupid if I was the ONLY one not skipping and was at school alone, ecspecially if none of the teachers showed up to teach because even they were smart enough to know that nobody would be there. That's basically all I was going for. I did want to feel justified.. but for doing the right thing, not the wrong thing. I don't want to feel stupid for setting everything up legal and feel like I am the only one getting taxed to death. I wanted more positive feedback from people who declare everything too. Everyone always tells me that I am a goody two shoes and I let people take advantage of me, etc.. etc.. and a friend of mine told me that I would be stupid to declare every penny I make when nobody else would know better. So, I just wanted to know what other people do. That's all. Case closed. :-)

jbstudios

30th of June 2007 (Sat), 23:40

to me going to jail for not declaring my taxes or having everything taken from me and my family and judgement day seems enough for me to play it safe. i like getting sleep at night and knowing i am doing the right thing. to me its not about what everyone else is doing its about doing whats right. i could go on and on about standing on your own and not being a follower. stand on your own girl. do whats right. taxes suck. everyone thinks so, but so does getting a speeding ticket. you still have to pay the fine even if you dont want to, you can try and get out of it but chances are you will still have to pay!

julie b

tlc

1st of July 2007 (Sun), 02:19

Sorry I touched a sensitive spot. I guess how sensitive it is to some people really answers the question though. It would be really easy for me to say, " of course I declare every single wedding, that's the right thing to do." And, if I was a pro and did declare them all, I would not hesitate to say I did.

that is being highly presumptuous. you hve now just stated that everyone who did not answer you, is not declaring their correct income. that statement is nothing but insulting. my business and profit margin is just that, my business.
while learning about the 'wedding photography' profession, you may want to brush up on 'proper business etiquette' i have never asked, and never will, what someone's income is or if they 'declare' all their profit, and that is just basic etiquette.

LeesaB

1st of July 2007 (Sun), 10:09

I agree...well, said Tami,

No one jumped on you....sorry you always feel that way when people reply against what you post, or oppose you. that's life and that is this forum...it happens to all of us,

I can't tell you the times I have said, "nice photo" and then have the next 20 people pick the flaws out of it and I am like..DANG never saw that coming..

OR people telling me I am wrong...It happens, it's life, and it's ok...

How else are you going to learn? Except to accept being wrong and move on. It's just part of life...real or intenet...

Time to move on...

sapearl

1st of July 2007 (Sun), 13:26

Alicia, again you confuse honest response to your direct and straightforward questions as personal attacks. That is not the case. Just because you don't like or agree with the answer does not make it an attack on you personally. You will end up plagued with ulcers if you always react in that fashion.

You are blunt with some of your questions, and some choose to respond with the same amount of directness. Why is there a problem here? You get what you give.

sapearl

1st of July 2007 (Sun), 13:35

Don't worry about being a dummy or making mistakes - nobody is born with all the answers. We just bumble through life doing the best we can, learning along with way, fine tuning our methods and techniques. I am embarrassed when I think back over the years about the dumb things I did either through inexperience or (wrong) conviction. We've all been there and it just takes time. It can't be all set and ready to go overnight. If that were the case, we could all be millionaires :lol: :lol: .

Like I said before, I do feel like I get taxed to death, but I don't have to worry about Uncle Sam looking over my shoulder and there's always some sort of profit left over to reinvest, save or show my family a good time.

I just want to do the right thing but I also don't want to be a dummy. ......... I don't want to feel stupid for setting everything up legal and feel like I am the only one getting taxed to death. I wanted more positive feedback from people who declare everything too. ........ So, I just wanted to know what other people do. That's all. Case closed. :-)

italianfemmy

1st of July 2007 (Sun), 13:46

Okay, 1st of all, I have never asked anyone to give me specific dollar amounts on anything! Second of all, I asked a general question intended for those people who were willing to share.

Tami - my comment was not intended for those who did not choose to answer the question.

Why do I feel attacked? Hmmm.. I wasn't the first person in this thread to ask if everyone claims every wedding.. it was asked by someone else first and since nobody answered that person, I followed up and asked it again yet I am the ONLY one getting any lashback.

ANd, I am not the only person who thinks people got offended because they infact don't declare everything themselves but I am the ONLy one hearing about it.

If that's not enough.... it was not something I put out there and asked for comments and critique. It was a dang question and I do believe that it states somewhere that if you don't have an answer for the actual question, you should not reply at all.

I did not PM those who are so offended and ask them to personally tell me their business. I asked for whomever was WILLING TO SHARE.

And, yes I am upset.... because some people made it personal. And it never was intended to be. Yes, who is to blame? Me.. because I am the one who asked the question and therefore if anyone took it the wrong way, it must be my fault?

As far as my being blunt with my question and others being blunt in return... I am asking a blunt question... feel free to give me a blunt response to my question but if you don't want to provide an answer to my question.. then DON'T attack my question. Just leave it alone and be better than that... since that's how some people feel. I would leave it alone and not answer or say anything if the question offended me because I would infact be mature enough to realize the question was not directed to me personally. Bottom line. ENough said already. I apologize to anyone I offended. I am not going to get on my knees and beg people to forgive me though. That doesn't make me a bad person. I am sitting here apologizing for a way people took things. It's crazy.