Art Receives a W-9
“Well, basically the same day I asked myself that question, I came back to my studio, and there was this letter waiting for me from Katya’s office. Inside it was this form called a W-9?”
Rich nodded, like yes, he’s heard of them. Then gestures for Art to continue.
“The next time I saw Katya, I asked her what I was supposed to do with that form and she said I should give it to my accountant when I do my taxes this year. She said it’s kind of like the 1099s I “always turn in (here, Art adds air quotes around ‘always turn in’). I played it cool, like I knew what she was talking about.
“That was three days ago and I haven’t slept since. The whole conversation sent me into a sort of panic because I haven’t dealt with taxes, basically... ever... as far as I know. I kind of thought I didn’t need to deal with that because every gallery I’ve ever sold through was in charge of paying the taxes on sales so I didn’t know I was supposed to pay those taxes too.
“So now I'm in big big trouble. But I’m prepared to face whatever awaits. And after my time has been served, I’ll start all over again, as an upstanding citizen.
“Who knows? Prison might even improve my paintings. Heck, might even make them more valuable.”
Rich nodded, like yes, he’s heard of them. Then gestures for Art to continue.
“The next time I saw Katya, I asked her what I was supposed to do with that form and she said I should give it to my accountant when I do my taxes this year. She said it’s kind of like the 1099s I “always turn in (here, Art adds air quotes around ‘always turn in’). I played it cool, like I knew what she was talking about.
“That was three days ago and I haven’t slept since. The whole conversation sent me into a sort of panic because I haven’t dealt with taxes, basically... ever... as far as I know. I kind of thought I didn’t need to deal with that because every gallery I’ve ever sold through was in charge of paying the taxes on sales so I didn’t know I was supposed to pay those taxes too.
“So now I'm in big big trouble. But I’m prepared to face whatever awaits. And after my time has been served, I’ll start all over again, as an upstanding citizen.
“Who knows? Prison might even improve my paintings. Heck, might even make them more valuable.”