Lets Get Fiscal

Coterie Tax & Advisory Inc.

Let’s Get Fiscal is the money podcast for creative entrepreneurs who want to keep more of what they earn and grow their business with confidence. Hosted by CPA and tax strategist Anastasia, each episode makes taxes, bookkeeping, and money management simple, practical, and even fun. We cover topics like tax deductions, small business finances, creative business strategies, and how to avoid costly mistakes—without boring jargon. Whether you’re a filmmaker, designer, artist, or small business owner, you’ll get actionable tips, real-world examples, and a few laughs along the way. If you want to stress less about money and focus more on doing what you love, this is the podcast for you.

  1. 4d ago

    EP51 - Is Your Passion Project Actually a Real Business? Featuring Matt Diana

    If you have ever turned your passion — fitness, music, coaching, art — into income and then wondered, Wait, is this actually a business? you are not alone. This week Anastasia and Myiesha welcome their first guest, Matthew Diana of Mind to Money Capital, to talk through the moment a creative side gig becomes a real company that needs structure, books, and a plan. Matthew went from personal trainer and touring musician to life coach and entrepreneur running an S corp umbrella company. We dig into why he chose an S corporation (think of it as giving your business its own social security number so it can pay its own taxes), how a simple Google Sheets ledger keeps his CPA happy, and why bands should be treated as small businesses from day one — especially when it comes to owning your intellectual property. We also cover how to vet clients like you are choosing a creative collaborator, why building a paid village around you is not weakness, and a quick primer on the Infinite Banking Concept so your money keeps working even after you spend it. Here is what we walk through in this episode: ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:33 Meet Matthew Diana of Mind to Money Capital 01:05 From Personal Trainer to Life Coach 03:33 S-Corp Election, Books, and Finding a CPA 08:21 Bands as Businesses: IP, Boundaries & Structure 15:09 Client Vetting, Collaboration & Building Your Village 24:18 Business as a Living Entity 30:28 Infinite Banking Concept & Freedom 33:38 Closing Thoughts Connect with Matthew Diana: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoM_3r0lXNarx_vu7rsbrwg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterymatthew/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matthewdylandiana?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.diana.1 Website: https://www.mindtomoneycapital.com/ Why subscribe? Because running a creative business is hard enough without tax season sneaking up like an unpaid intern. Every week, Anastasia and Myiesha break down the money stuff that actually matters for photographers, videographers, designers, actors, musicians, and anyone building something from their passion — in plain English, with real stories, and without the corporate guilt trip. Whether you are choosing an S corp, tracking receipts, or just trying to pay yourself without panic, this is the friend-group chat that helps you sleep easy at night. Hit follow so the next episode is already waiting when you need it. Listen everywhere: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-get-fiscal/id1831050448 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08AjRNfqQJBdG1vPazii4Q?si=e625b34e37c141a8 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsgetfiscalpodcast Helpful resources: Got a question for the show? Submit it here: https://www.coterietax.com/qa Want to listen to more episodes? Start here: https://www.coterietax.com/podcast Need personalized help? Visit: https://www.coterietax.com/ What's your biggest tax or money question right now? Drop it in the comments below—Anastasia and Myiesha read every comment and love helping with real-world situations. #CreativeBusiness #SmallBusinessTax #SCorp #BandBusiness #InfiniteBanking #EntrepreneurMindset #LifecoachBusiness #TaxPlanning #BusinessStructure #IPProtection #BuildYourVillage #LetsGetFiscal Produced, Edited, and Distributed by @PodBrosMedia https://podbrosmedia.com

    EP51 - Is Your Passion Project Actually a Real Business? Featuring Matt Diana
  2. Jul 21

    EP50 - Los Angeles Business Tax for Creative Freelancers: What You Owe and How to Avoid Penalties

    The City of Los Angeles has its own business tax, and plenty of creative freelancers, photographers, videographers, and production companies do not find out until a penalty letter shows up. In this episode, Anastasia and Myiesha break down who has to file, how the $100,000 general exemption and the $300,000 creative exemption work, and why one late day can turn a $0 bill into hundreds or even thousands of dollars. They explain gross receipts in plain English, which is just your income before any expenses, like ticket sales before you pay your crew. They also walk through the tricky zip-code and city-limit rules that can land you in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica tax territory instead, and they share what production companies need to know about pass-through budgets and cost of goods. You will also get practical filing tips for the February deadline, online account setup, tax ID matching, and what to do if the city’s website breaks when you are up against the clock. This is the episode to listen to if you want to stop throwing money away on a tax you could have avoided entirely and sleep easy knowing your city compliance is handled. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 What Is LA's Business Tax, and Who Has to File? 02:20 The $100K and $300K Creative Exemptions 04:45 Zip Codes, City Limits, and Other LA-Area City Taxes 06:50 Why the February Due Date (and Leap Years) Matter 09:15 Production Companies, Freelancers, and Picking the Right Category 10:55 Account Setup, Tax IDs, and Online System Traps 13:20 What to Do When the System Breaks Near the Deadline 15:35 How to Stay Compliant and Avoid Penalties Why subscribe? Because Let’s Get Fiscal is basically the coffee-shop chat you actually want to have about money. Anastasia and Myiesha translate tax-speak into real talk for creative business owners—no beige PowerPoints, no shame, just clear answers you can use. Whether you are a photographer, actor, filmmaker, designer, or director, every episode helps you keep more of what you earn and stress less doing it. Listen everywhere: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-get-fiscal/id1831050448 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08AjRNfqQJBdG1vPazii4Q?si=e625b34e37c141a8 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsgetfiscalpodcast Helpful resources: Got a question for the show? Submit it here: https://www.coterietax.com/qa Want to listen to more episodes? Start here: https://www.coterietax.com/podcast Need personalized help? Visit: https://www.coterietax.com/ What's your biggest tax or money question right now? Drop it in the comments below—Anastasia and Myiesha read every comment and love helping with real-world situations. #LetsGetFiscal #CityOfLABusinessTax #CreativeFreelancerTax #LABusinessTax #SmallBusinessTax #FreelanceTaxTips #ProductionCompanyTax #TaxExemption #TaxCompliance #CoterieTax #CreativeBusinessFinance Produced, Edited, and Distributed by @PodBrosMedia https://podbrosmedia.com

    EP50 - Los Angeles Business Tax for Creative Freelancers: What You Owe and How to Avoid Penalties
  3. Jul 14

    EP49 - S-Corp Reasonable Compensation & Payroll Rules for Creative Owners

    Payroll is back—but now it’s your problem. When your creative business grows from a sole proprietorship or single-member LLC into an S corporation, the IRS expects you to become your own W-2 employee. That means transferring money from your business checking account to your personal account is no longer a paycheck. In this episode, Anastasia and Myiesha break down when S-corp payroll kicks in, how to set a reasonable salary, why your “many hats” matter, and what happens when distributions go beyond profit. Think of your S-corp like a film crew: you’re the director, the producer, the editor, and sometimes the janitor. A W-2 salary only covers your core creative role, so we use the Many Hats Method to price all the jobs you actually do. We’ll also explain the correct order for getting money out—reimburse expenses first, run payroll second, then take distributions of profit. You’ll learn why too much salary can cost you extra Social Security and Medicare, why negative equity is a red flag, and why clean books make the whole conversation easier. Whether you’re a photographer, filmmaker, designer, or any creative running (or considering) an S-corp, this episode helps you set a salary the IRS won’t question and avoid the “I paid myself, so I’m fine” trap. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:50 When Payroll Becomes Your Problem 02:58 I Paid Myself — Why Transfers Do Not Count 03:58 What Is Reasonable Compensation? 07:25 The Many Hats Method for Setting Salary 09:38 Distributions, K-1s, and Capital Gains 11:30 Your Equity Section and Balance Sheet Red Flags 13:10 Do Not Overpay Yourself, Either 14:40 Keep Clean Books and Get Help 15:40 Outro Why subscribe? Taxes for creatives don’t have to feel like a horror film with no script. Let’s Get Fiscal is the coffee-shop conversation that turns tax jargon into plain English, so you can run your creative business without the money anxiety. Every episode, Anastasia and Myiesha translate IRS rules into real-world scenarios for photographers, videographers, actors, filmmakers, directors, designers, and anyone building a business behind the work. Subscribe and the next money question won’t catch you off guard. Listen everywhere: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-get-fiscal/id1831050448 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08AjRNfqQJBdG1vPazii4Q?si=e625b34e37c141a8 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsgetfiscalpodcast Helpful resources: Got a question for the show? Submit it here: https://www.coterietax.com/qa Want to listen to more episodes? Start here: https://www.coterietax.com/podcast Need personalized help? Visit: https://www.coterietax.com/ What’s your biggest tax or money question right now? Drop it in the comments below—Anastasia and Myiesha read every comment and love helping with real-world situations. #SCorpPayroll #ReasonableCompensation #CreativeBusinessTaxes #SmallBusinessAccounting #SCorpSalary #LetsGetFiscal #TaxTipsForCreatives #PayrollForCreatives #BusinessFinances #CreativeEntrepreneur Produced, Edited, and Distributed by @PodBrosMedia https://podbrosmedia.com

    EP49 - S-Corp Reasonable Compensation & Payroll Rules for Creative Owners
  4. Jul 7

    EP48 - W-2 vs 1099: Tax Differences Creative Business Owners Need to Know

    Freelancer or employee? One path hands you a bigger check today; the other can quietly hand you a five-figure tax bill tomorrow. In this episode, Anastasia and Myiesha break down how to choose between W-2 and 1099 pay without getting burned by the fine print. If you've ever stared at a freelance offer and thought, "This check is way bigger than my old salary—what's the catch?" this conversation is for you. Anastasia and Myiesha pull back the curtain on the real math behind employee pay versus freelancer pay. They translate every tax form and payroll term into plain English so you can make the choice that fits your creative business, not just the one that sounds good in the moment. You'll learn why a 1099 can feel like a raise but turn into a tax-season shock, how employee benefits add up to thousands of dollars in hidden value, and what it actually takes to run your freelance income through a Schedule C. They also cover the W-4 confusion that has even seasoned employees owing money, the truth about tax refunds, and how to decide if the freedom of freelancing is worth the extra responsibility. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 W-2 vs 1099: The Forms and the Paycheck Illusion 03:00 The Hidden Value of Employee Benefits 05:00 Why Your W-4 Withholding Might Be Wrong 07:00 Schedule C, Business Expenses, and Self-Employment Tax 09:30 Tax Refunds: Your Money, Not a Gift 11:00 How to Fill Out a W-9 and Pick Your LLC Tax Status 13:00 Freedom vs Responsibility: Making the Choice 14:30 Wrap Up and Listener Call-to-Action Why subscribe? Let's Get Fiscal is the tax-and-money podcast that speaks fluent creative. Hosted by Anastasia Aiello and Myiesha Fisher, each episode breaks down the accounting, tax, and small-business finance stuff that keeps photographers, videographers, actors, filmmakers, directors, designers, and freelancers up at night—without the corporate jargon or condescending lectures. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and bring your real questions. We read every one, and listener questions shape what we cover next. 🔗 Listen everywhere: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-get-fiscal/id1831050448 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08AjRNfqQJBdG1vPazii4Q?si=e625b34e37c141a8 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsgetfiscalpodcast 📊 Helpful resources: Got a question for the show? Submit it here: https://www.coterietax.com/qa Want to listen to more episodes? Start here: https://www.coterietax.com/podcast Need personalized help? Visit: https://www.coterietax.com/ What's your biggest tax or money question right now? Drop it in the comments below—Anastasia and Myiesha read every comment and love helping with real-world situations. #FreelancerTaxes #1099vsW2 #CreativeBusinessOwner #TaxTipsForFreelancers #ScheduleC #SelfEmploymentTax #SmallBusinessFinance #QuarterlyTaxes #CoterieTax #LetsGetFiscalPodcast #TaxPlanning #1099NEC Produced, Edited, and Distributed by @PodBrosMedia https://podbrosmedia.com

    EP48 - W-2 vs 1099: Tax Differences Creative Business Owners Need to Know
  5. Jun 30

    EP47 - Self-Employment Taxes Explained for Creative Business Owners

    If you've ever looked at your bank account after a freelance gig and thought, "Great, I made ten grand," only to find out a big chunk belongs to the taxman, this episode is for you. Anastasia and Myiesha pull back the curtain on self-employment taxes—the Medicare and Social Security bill that doubles when you are both the employee and the employer. They explain why this is the real culprit behind those "where did all my money go?" moments and why every creative business owner, from photographers to graphic designers, needs to budget for it before spending a dime. You'll learn how self-employment tax works for sole proprietors, single-member LLCs, partnerships, and even S-corps and C-corps (yes, owners still need "reasonable compensation"). Anastasia shares a dead-simple savings rule, a bank-account strategy that keeps your tax money out of reach, and why paying the IRS more frequently than quarterly is totally allowed. They also talk about the often-forgotten trade-off between lowering your tax bill today and shrinking your Social Security check tomorrow—and how retirement accounts can flip that script. By the end, you'll know how to stop tax season from feeling like an ambush and start treating taxes as just another line item in your creative business—one you can plan for, save for, and maybe even use to build wealth. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:15 What Is Self-Employment Tax? (The Hidden Double Hit) 04:30 S-Corp & Reasonable Compensation: Does It Actually Save You Money? 07:00 How to Calculate What You Owe (Profit vs. Gross Revenue) 09:30 The 25% Rule: A Simple Savings Blueprint 12:00 Where to Stash Tax Savings (High-Yield & Out-of-Sight Accounts) 14:00 Quarterly Estimates: You Can Pay More Often Than Quarterly 16:00 Retirement, Lifestyle Creep, and Making Taxes Work for You 17:30 Closing: Send Us Your Questions Why subscribe? "Let's Get Fiscal" is the tax-and-money podcast for creative business owners who would rather be shooting, designing, or directing than decoding IRS forms. Every week, Anastasia and Myiesha translate tax-speak into real talk you can actually use—no gatekeeping, no panic, and definitely no beige finance vibes. Whether you're trying to figure out quarterly estimates, an S-corp election, or just how much to set aside so you can sleep easy at night, this show gives you plain-English answers and a plan. Subscribe now and let the next money lesson show up before the next bill does. Listen everywhere: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-get-fiscal/id1831050448 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08AjRNfqQJBdG1vPazii4Q?si=e625b34e37c141a8 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsgetfiscalpodcast Helpful resources: Got a question for the show? Submit it here: https://www.coterietax.com/qa Want to listen to more episodes? Start here: https://www.coterietax.com/podcast Need personalized help? Visit: https://www.coterietax.com/ What's your biggest tax or money question right now? Drop it in the comments below—Anastasia and Myiesha read every comment and love helping with real-world situations. #SelfEmploymentTax #CreativeBusiness #TaxTips #FreelanceTaxes #QuarterlyTaxes #SmallBusinessTax #SCorpTax #ReasonableCompensation #TaxPlanning #MoneyMindset #CreativeEntrepreneur #LetsGetFiscal Produced, Edited, and Distributed by @PodBrosMedia https://podbrosmedia.com

    EP47 - Self-Employment Taxes Explained for Creative Business Owners
  6. Jun 24

    EP46 - LLC vs. Sole Proprietor: What Creatives Need to Know Before Filing

    So you’ve landed a steady retainer client, your pottery side hustle is picking up steam, or someone just told you, “You need an LLC.” But do you really—at least for taxes? In this episode, Anastasia and Myiesha unpack the money side of choosing a business structure, leaving the legal stuff to the lawyers and focusing on what actually hits your tax return. A sole proprietor is basically the default setting: you and the business are the same person, like a freelancer operating under their own name. A single-member LLC is like giving that business its own name, bank account, and W-9, but the IRS usually still treats it as a “disregarded entity”—fancy words for “it’s still you at tax time.” That means most deductions and strategies are available either way. You’ll learn why California charges an $800 franchise tax even if your LLC makes zero dollars, when a client might require an EIN or LLC to keep you off their payroll, and why locking in your business name early can save you from a total rebrand when you’re ready to elect S-corp status later. If you’re deciding whether to make things official, this is the practical checklist that helps you sleep easy at night. Why subscribe? Because running a creative business shouldn’t feel like you’re guessing your way through a foreign language. Every episode, Anastasia and Myiesha translate tax jargon into plain English, swap scary IRS notices for clear action steps, and treat your money anxiety like the unwelcome houseguest it is—so you can get back to making your best work. Whether you’re a photographer, filmmaker, designer, actor, or any creative making money on your own terms, this is the tax talk that finally makes sense. 🔗 Listen everywhere: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-get-fiscal/id1831050448 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08AjRNfqQJBdG1vPazii4Q?si=e625b34e37c141a8 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsgetfiscalpodcast 📊 Helpful resources: Got a question for the show? Submit it here: https://www.coterietax.com/qa Want to listen to more episodes? Start here: https://www.coterietax.com/podcast Need personalized help? Visit: https://www.coterietax.com/ What's your biggest tax or money question right now? Drop it in the comments below—Anastasia and Myiesha read every comment and love helping with real-world situations. #LLC #SoleProprietor #CreativeBusiness #SmallBusinessTaxes #TaxPlanning #FreelanceFinance #BusinessEntity #SCorpElection #BrandProtection #CoterieTax #LetsGetFiscal Produced, Edited, and Distributed by @PodBrosMedia https://podbrosmedia.com

    EP46 - LLC vs. Sole Proprietor: What Creatives Need to Know Before Filing
  7. Jun 24 ·  Bonus

    Bonus Episode - Is Tax Season a Marathon or a Sprint? Discover Our Survival Strategies

    Tax season is often portrayed as a brutal sprint—a four-month scramble that leaves accountants exhausted and burned out. But what if you approached it differently? What if tax season was less about survival and more about showcasing the work you've been building all year? In this unique bonus episode, recorded at 7:45 PM after filming 24 episodes in one day, Anastasia and Myiesha speak directly to their future selves (and to you) about navigating the intensity of tax season with intention, wellness, and even joy. This behind-the-scenes conversation reveals the real strategies that help the Coterie Tax team get through their busiest months without losing their minds or their health. You'll hear about the importance of team dynamics, client relationships built on mutual respect, and small wellness practices that make a massive difference. Whether you're an accountant dreading the upcoming season or a business owner trying to understand what your tax team is going through, this episode offers a refreshingly honest look at the marathon of tax season—and how to run it well. 00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks00:19 Welcome to Let's Get Fiscal00:44 Reflecting on Past Tax Seasons00:57 Surviving Tax Season02:11 Team Dynamics and Support03:20 Maintaining Mental and Physical Health04:17 Client Relationships and Positivity05:59 Looking Forward to 202610:24 The Marathon of Tax Season13:42 Final Thoughts and Farewell Why subscribe? Every week, Let's Get Fiscal shares tax strategies and business finance advice that actually work for real entrepreneurs—not corporate-speak you can't use. You'll get specific, actionable tactics, real client scenarios, and answers to the money questions keeping you up at night. The goal is simple: make business finances less intimidating and more profitable. 🔗 Listen everywhere: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-get-fiscal/id1831050448 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08AjRNfqQJBdG1vPazii4Q?si=fb0379d3bef94f11 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsgetfiscalpodcast 📊 Helpful resources: Got a question for the show? Submit it here: https://www.coterietax.com/qa Want to listen to more episodes? Start here: https://www.coterietax.com/podcast Need personalized help with your business finances? Visit: https://www.coterietax.com What's your biggest tax or money question right now?  Drop it in the comments below—Anastasia and Myiesha read every comment and love helping with real-world situations.  #TaxSeason #AccountantLife #WorkLifeBalance #TaxPreparer #BusinessOwnerSupport #CreativeBusiness #SmallBusinessTax #EntrepreneurWellness #LetsGetFiscal #TaxSeasonSurvival #TeamCulture #ClientRelationships

    Bonus Episode - Is Tax Season a Marathon or a Sprint? Discover Our Survival Strategies
  8. Jun 16

    EP44 - How Do Creatives Build Wealth? Master Money Habits Now

    EP44 - How Do Creatives Build Wealth? Master Money Habits Now Do you feel like you're bad at money? You're not alone—and more importantly, you're probably wrong. The truth is that most creative entrepreneurs don't have a money problem, they have a system problem. When your income is unpredictable and project-based, traditional budgeting advice doesn't work. You need a financial framework designed specifically for the way creatives actually earn and spend. In this episode, Anastasia and Myiesha break down the essential money habits that help creative business owners build wealth, grow savings, and sleep better at night—even when income is inconsistent. You'll learn the real cost of commingling business and personal finances, discover the 50-30-20 rule for creative income allocation, and get practical strategies for paying yourself consistently. Whether you're still working a W-2 or fully self-employed, this episode gives you the roadmap to financial confidence without the millennial anxiety. 00:00 Introduction to Creative Wealth Building00:36 Meet Your Hosts: Anastasia and Myiesha00:51 Good Money Habits for Creatives01:30 The Importance of Separating Business and Personal Finances04:15 Paying Yourself Consistently05:46 Saving for Taxes and Business Expenses07:16 Creating a Financial Plan That Works for You11:23 Quarterly vs. Annual Financial Planning13:23 Essential Financial Tools for Beginners16:21 Building Financial Confidence and Security18:27 Conclusion and Final Tips Why subscribe? Every week, Let's Get Fiscal shares tax strategies and business finance advice that actually work for real entrepreneurs—not corporate-speak you can't use. You'll get specific, actionable tactics, real client scenarios, and answers to the money questions keeping you up at night. The goal is simple: make business finances less intimidating and more profitable. 🔗 Listen everywhere:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-get-fiscal/id1831050448Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08AjRNfqQJBdG1vPazii4Q?si=fb0379d3bef94f11Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsgetfiscalpodcast 📊 Helpful resources:Got a question for the show? Submit it here: https://www.coterietax.com/qaWant to listen to more episodes? Start here: https://www.coterietax.com/podcastNeed personalized help with your business finances? Visit: https://www.coterietax.com What's your biggest tax or money question right now? Drop it in the comments below—Anastasia and Myiesha read every comment and love helping with real-world situations. #CreativeWealth #MoneyHabits #BusinessFinance #CreativeBusiness #FinancialPlanning #SelfEmployedTax #BusinessSavings #CashFlowManagement #EntrepreneurMoney #LetsGetFiscal #SmallBusinessTips #FreelanceFinance

    EP44 - How Do Creatives Build Wealth? Master Money Habits Now

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Let’s Get Fiscal is the money podcast for creative entrepreneurs who want to keep more of what they earn and grow their business with confidence. Hosted by CPA and tax strategist Anastasia, each episode makes taxes, bookkeeping, and money management simple, practical, and even fun. We cover topics like tax deductions, small business finances, creative business strategies, and how to avoid costly mistakes—without boring jargon. Whether you’re a filmmaker, designer, artist, or small business owner, you’ll get actionable tips, real-world examples, and a few laughs along the way. If you want to stress less about money and focus more on doing what you love, this is the podcast for you.

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