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Mission Statement

Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA) provides Texas artists and arts organizations with legal and accounting assistance to enable them to maximize their potential, shape our cultural landscape, and contribute to the creative economy. TALA provides individualized volunteer legal and accounting services to financially qualified artists and arts nonprofits, hosts educational seminars and clinics, and produces educational materials to increase business knowledge in the arts. TALA was formed in 1979 to meet the legal and accounting needs of artists and arts nonprofits. Our services include lawyer and accountant pro bono assistance, dispute resolution services, and educational programs for the artistic and business community. Programs are designed to help artists apply legal and accounting concepts for their benefit. Your membership dollars provide for TALA’s small staff, office facilities, and the insurance coverage necessary to coordinate and support TALA volunteers. TALA does not represent individuals or organizations before courts, arbitration panels, administrative proceedings, or other governmental bodies. TALA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts proudly acknowledges the following patrons for their generous sponsorship of the programs and clinics that support our mission to serve the Texas creative economy.

Sponsor Logos

Houston Endowment
Intel
Austin Cultural Arts Division
Texas Commission on the Arts

Sponsor Logos

Austin Bar Foundation
Texas Bar Foundation
ATX Music

 

Dallas Week Sponsors: Dallas Bar Association Sports and Entertainment Law Section and Art House Dallas

Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts Moves to Austin

Move Heralds Revamped Operations, Closer to State Resources;  Statewide Mission to Assist Artists Continues

As of October 1, 2013, Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA)—an organization that aims to help meet the legal and accounting needs of artists and arts-nonprofits—is now headquartered in Austin. TALA continues to provide educational programs and legal clinics in Houston, Dallas, and other parts of the state, as well as a pool of over 400 volunteer lawyers and accountants to assist qualifying artists and arts organizations throughout Texas.

The transition to Austin reflects the vision of former and current board members to ensure TALA keeps up with changes in the non-profit world, with an emphasis on technology, fundraising, volunteerism, and community outreach.

TALA’s pro bono legal and accounting services are offered to artists and arts non-profits in all creative disciplines, including visual arts, music, theater, dance, film, gaming, and writing.

Over 500 attorneys and accountants throughout the state of Texas volunteer their time each year assisting in routine legal and accounting matters that might otherwise remain unresolved and unrepresented.

lsfta_2016

Law Students for the Arts at the University of Texas School of Law (LSftA), will offer a free legal clinic for low-income artists on

Thursday, March 31, 2016

6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

offices of DLA Piper

401 Congress, Suite 2500, Austin, TX 78701

For an application or more information about attending the clinic or serving as a volunteer attorney, please e-mail your request to [email protected].

Volunteer attorneys will provide free legal counseling on arts-related legal matters to low-income artists, musicians, and filmmakers. Attendees will be seen by appointment and can expect to receive up to thirty minutes of private legal counseling from an attorney covering topics like copyrights, trademarks, and arts-related contracts. Law students will assist attendees in completing intake paperwork and clarifying the legal issues for which they seek assistance.

Legal issues not resolved at the clinic may be reviewed to determine if further pro bono legal counsel can be provided.

This is the seventh clinic provided by LSftA. LSftA is a sponsored student organization at The University of Texas School of Law whose purpose is to bring like-minded students together to support Austin-area artists, arts organizations, and pro bono legal referral service groups.

 

Financial and Tax Seminar for Austin Nonprofits

Austin CPA Logo

Join the Austin Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs on April 25, 2016 for a FREE SEMINAR for nonprofit staff and volunteers. Visit our Events Page for more information.

Tax Help

TALA does not offer Individual 1040 and Non-Profit 990 Tax Filing Services. Those needing assistance filing a 1040 should contact one of the following tax service organizations, just click on the city name below to get more info:
Amarillo
Austin
Beaumont
Corpus Christi
Dallas
El Paso
Houston
Lubbock
Midland
Odessa
San Antonio

The IRS offers free in-person federal tax filing too, but with restrictions. You must have an adjusted gross income below $51,000 to qualify. The tax preparation help is usually provided in IRS offices, libraries and colleges around the country. You can find a location at this link.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CONFIRM YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR THESE SERVICES BEFOREHAND. EACH OF THESE SERVICES RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE FOR ANY REASON

This website is a public resource for information about our organization and is not intended to provide legal advice.