New Year, New Taxes! Get Your Finances Artist-Ready for 2026
Start the new year on the right foot with our first ART+ Workshop of 2026: a practical and accessible Tax Information Session for Professional Artists, facilitated by Ottawa-based tax professional Bethel Francis of One For The Books.
Taxes don’t have to be intimidating—especially for artists. Whether you’re a self-employed creative, a multidisciplinary performer, a craftsperson, or a freelance cultural worker, this session will help you understand the essentials you need to confidently manage your finances.
Join us for an engaging, jargon-free overview of what professional artists should know at tax time, including:
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What counts as self-employment income
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Which business expenses you can claim
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How GST/HST registration works (and when it applies)
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Best practices for year-round bookkeeping and financial organization
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Common pitfalls for artists—and how to avoid them
Bethel brings years of experience supporting artists, creatives, and small business owners with bookkeeping and tax preparation. His compassionate, demystifying approach ensures that participants feel supported, informed, and empowered to take control of their financial wellbeing.
This workshop is perfect for emerging and established artists alike—whether you’re filing taxes for the first time, refining your current system, or preparing to grow your creative practice in 2026.
Workshop Details
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location:
Ottawa Art Gallery – Board Room
50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa, ON K1N 0C5
Facilitator: Bethel Francis, One For The Books
Cost: Free (registration required)
Meet Our Speakers
Bethel Francis
Bookkeeper | Tax Professional | Financial Services Coordinator
Founder, One For The Books
Bethel Francis is a bookkeeper, tax professional, and financial services coordinator based in Ottawa. Through his practice, One For The Books, he supports artists, creatives, and small business owners with bookkeeping, tax preparation, GST/HST requirements, and everyday financial organization.
Bethel is passionate about making financial literacy accessible. He brings a compassionate and practical approach to helping people understand their obligations with confidence and clarity. His work focuses on empowering artists to manage their finances with ease so they can create freely and build stable, sustainable practices.
About One For The Books
One For The Books is a financial services practice dedicated to helping artists and creative entrepreneurs organize their finances, meet their tax obligations, and develop sustainable business habits. With a focus on clarity, simplicity, and accessibility, the practice supports clients with bookkeeping, GST/HST guidance, and tax preparation tailored to the unique realities of artistic work.