The need for this critically important member benefit may catch many by surprise. Two very important liability issues face every photographer who hires assistants and other crew members. Standard policies for workers comp insurance (for on-job injuries) are costly and likely limited to in-state crew members. This means that even with a standard policy, you still may not be adequately covered.

The second liability issue is an IRS audit that reveals unpaid withholding taxes for assistants and other crew members who have been incorrectly classified as independent contractors (according to current IRS rules) can put a studio out of business. The overhead related to meeting these requirements (like employee unemployment insurance), and recovering the costs as job-related expenses can be daunting if not impossible. APA's Production Payroll service solves all these and other problems by becoming the employer of record, relieving you of all related liabilities. The extremely low cost can save the fee for membership dues many times over in a single year.

This important member benefit is so inexpensive and simple to use that many members pay their own salaries through the service rather than going the usual payroll route. It can be used for office staff at reduced rates, is specially priced for APA members at 2% of net, and best of all, is billable on each job.

additionally 

 

Two very important liability issues face every photographer who hires assistants and other crew members.  Standard insurance policies for workers comp insurance (for jpb-related injuries) are costly and likely limited to in-state crew members.  This means that even with a standard policy in place, your policy wil not be enough when shooting in another state.  But this is only part of the problem.

The far more serious problem may be assistants and other crew members who may be incorrectly classified as independent contractors (according to current IRS rules).  A discovery to this effect during a routine IRS audit can create huge liabilities for back taxes that can put a studio out of business.  Those who do it right have a huge overhead related to meeting these requirements (like employee unemployment insurance), and recovering these direct costs as job-related expenses can be daunting if not impossible. 

The solution

 

 

APA's payroll service, available nationwide through Smith and Stilwell, is an innovative solution based on a similar model used for decades by the entertainment industry.  It solves all these and other problems by becoming the employer of record, relieving you of all related liabilities.  The cost savings alone, when compared to doing it in-house or using a conventional payroll service, can pay your membership dues many times over in a single year.

Added benefits

 

This important member benefit is so inexpensive and simple to use that many members pay their own salaries through the service rather than going the usual payroll route.  It can be used for office staff at reduced rates, is specially priced for APA members at 2% of pay, and best of all, is billable for each job.  Your liability is eliminated, payment is automatic and hassle-free, you completely avoid payroll bookkeeping, and it costs less than doing it yourself.

APA Payroll is provided through Smith & Stilwell. This special member benefit program has been developed in collaboration with APA to keep the process simple and accessible, making it a no-brainer whether you have a part-time or full-time assistant, makeup artist, stylist, receptionist... or an entire staff.  They're ready to service all of your payroll needs.  Smith & Stilwell has been a major payroll provider to the entertainment industry for over twenty-five years. 

For forms, information, and to sign up, contact Smith & Stilwell at 404-261-4052 Membership number required.