Recently in Action Alert Category

On the eve of the White House "Bipartisan Meeting on Health Reform," Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and the Small Business Coalition for Affordable Healthcare tell congressional leadership what small business owners want to see in any health care reform bill.

In a letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-8th-CA) on February 24, 2010, PPA asks Congress to consider the inclusion of small business-friendly provisions in a manner that won't increase the cost of doing business. Read more about PPA's suggestions here.

If you want to communicate the importance of having access to affordable, quality health care, we encourage you to visit PPA's Contact Congress page to participate in a "Health Care Call-in," organized by the Small Business Coalition for Affordable Healthcare. We have provided a sample phone script that you can use (and customize) to contact your senators and representatives today.

As the health care debate unfolds in the Senate, Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and its allied organizations are watching. In a letter sent to the Senate, PPA joined the Small Business Coalition for Affordable Health Care to ask for H.R. 3590 -The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act to be made friendlier to the small business community.

The message being sent is that the combination of provisions included in the bill are not likely to provide small businesses with the long-term relief needed to ensure continuous access to quality and affordable health care.

Your Copyright & Government Affairs staff wanted to keep you updated on some of the provisions in this legislation, so that you can make informed decisions and ensure your voice is heard.

• Please read the statement, “PPA Tells Senate: Health Care Bill Not Favorable to Small Businesses” on PPA.com. You’ll find an overview and places to go to get more information and take action.
• Visit the Contact Congress page to e-mail, call or write your senator. We have provided a sample phone script that you can use (and customize).

We want to thank everyone who has already signed the letter asking President Obama and Vice President Biden to pursue the enforcement and strengthening of policies that protect your copyrights.

On November 16, the Copyright Alliance will deliver the letter with each artist's signature to the White House. To date, more than 11,000 artists have spoken up for their rights by signing the letter...and the majority are photographers like you. Have you made sure your name one of the many?

If you haven't signed the letter, visit www.copyrightalliance.org/letter today. All you need to do is scroll to the bottom to enter your name, artist type, city, state, and e-mail and hit "sign."

If you've already made your voice heard, make sure your colleagues and friends have as well--just pass along that link above. Remember to tell them to sign the letter before November 16th!

In 2003 the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act was signed into law. This law directed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and other federal bank regulatory organizations to develop a set of regulations that prevent and protect against identity theft.

PPA has created this guide to help you determine if your studio must comply with these laws. If you must comply with the Red Flags Rules, the FTC requires you to create and implement your identity theft plan before November 1, 2009. Get PPA's Guide to the FTC Red Flag Rules here.

Florida Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax Alert

Recently, the Florida Department of Revenue sent out letters to photographers in the state, requesting information about out-of-state or online purchases of tangible personal property for the last 36 months. Photographers have 30 days from the date of the letter to respond, and PPA is here to help you. (If you have questions, please call Bridget Jackson, PPA Studio Management Services Manager, at 800-339-5451, ext. 277.)

Please remember that some type of response is required--this applies to all photographers.

Here's some information to help clarify:

• If sales tax was not paid on the item when purchased, the tax burden rests on the photographer via use tax (for the last 36 months of purchases).
• If sales tax was paid at the time of the purchase or if use tax was subsequently paid, you are still required to provide proof (for the last 36 months of purchases).

Please keep in mind the following:

• "Everything a photographer sells is taxable," according to Florida law; therefore, sales tax should be collected and remitted on the sitting fee as well as the products.
• Wedding photographers should be collecting sales tax if a product is purchased in conjunction with the coverage charge (and the Florida Department of Revenue considers a DVD of images a product).
• If a wedding payment is for coverage only and an album or other product is subsequently produced, the photographer is not required to collect sales tax on the amount charged for coverage only.

For details on relevant Florida law, visit http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/. The specific Florida Department of Revenue Administrative Code relating to photographers is 12A-1.041.

Remember, PPA is here to help. If you have any questions about this notice or about sales and use tax in Florida, please call Bridget Jackson, PPA Studio Management Services Manager, at 800-339-5451, ext. 277.

Over the past week, PPA members in multiple states have received requests for photography services via Find-a-Photographer, which we believe to be scams. At present, we have blocked those e-mail addresses.

While PPA makes every effort to block spammers from the referral service, no system is completely foolproof. Remember to please be diligent in vetting all e-mail requests, use precaution, and follow best practices when responding. For instance, don't share personal information and be very cautious about unusual payment arrangements, such as cash forwarding schemes utilizing cashier's checks or money orders. 

If you have received a request for services via the Find-a-Photographer referral prompt that you believe to be suspicious, please ignore the request and notify PPA's Member Value & Experience team as soon as possible. With your information, we can investigate the e-mail address and notify other members if appropriate.

The FTC provides good information about protecting yourself from the top ten online scams. PPA also distributed the article, "If a Project Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Just Might Be"  earlier this year. In addition, you can join the conversation about the latest scams on the OurPPA Forums, helping you stay informed and share information with other members.

If you have any questions, please contact csc@ppa.com (or call 800-786-6277).

Councilors play an essential and integral role in Professional Photographers of America (PPA), representing PPA at state meetings and conventions, encouraging participation and membership in PPA, and acting as the liaison between their state members and PPA.

You have until June 15, 2009 to vote; however, we encourage you to vote as soon as possible. Voting members can cast their ballots online here.

Read the complete story here.

Every three years, PPA Councilors are elected...and your chance to vote is coming soon!

Councilors play an essential and integral role for Professional Photographers of America (PPA). They represent PPA at state meetings and conventions, encourage participation and membership in PPA, and act as the liaison between their state members and PPA. Without an enthusiastic Council, PPA would not be able to accomplish important tasks. In fact, our future as an organization is dependent on effective Council leadership.

On Friday, May 15, *voting members will receive e-mail with an election ballot link. You will have until June 15, 2009 to vote; however, we encourage you to vote as soon as possible.

If you would prefer a paper ballot, you must e-mail elections@ppa.com by Thursday, May 14.

For additional details on PPA Council, click here.

*All Professional Active, Retired, and Life Members in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia and Ontario are eligible to vote, as defined in PPA's Bylaws and Procedures.

PPA is supporting the introduction of H.R. 1509 - The Home Office Deduction Simplification Act of 2009 by signing a letter sent by a coalition organized by the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE).  The letter announces the introduction of this vital piece of legislation by Representatives John McHugh (D-NY-23) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR), and seeks the co-sponsorship and support for the bill.

The bill mirrors H.R. 6214 - The Home Office Deduction Simplification Act of 2008, also introduced by Rep. McHugh during the 110th Congress. PPA supported this legislative initiative in 2008 and is hopeful that the bill will garner enough support to clear the U.S. House of Representatives this Congress. This bill, like H.R. 1470 - Equity for Our Nation's Self Employed Act, currently finds itself in the hands of the House Ways and Means committee.

We have received reports that PPA members are being contacted by sales representatives from MatchMaker Marketing, a UK-based Search Engine Optimization (SEO) firm, promising to place studio Web sites on the first page of Google searches. MatchMaker Marketing is attempting to close sales by indicating that they are affiliated with PPA or are extending this service as a PPA member benefit.

Please know that PPA has not arranged a member benefit with this or any other firm offering SEO services. We believe that this firm has obtained photographer contact information via the Find-A-Photographer search engine, and we are currently taking action against them.

For your information, we have listed the phone numbers from which MatchMaker Marketing has called members. Please note that they may also use other numbers:

• 016 123 91001
• 016 123 91010
• 718 374 6942
  

If you receive a phone call from MatchMaker Marketing (or anyone trying to sell you SEO services claiming they are affiliated with PPA), we encourage you to document any details about the caller; promptly end the conversation; and report the call to PPA by contacting us at csc@ppa.com or 800-786-6277.