My email is back
If you sent me an email or submitted a support request between about 9:00am and 4:15pm Central time today my email was down and I did not receive it. Please resend it đ
2011 ICI/PRO conference early registration is now open
4/14 Update – I've moved this post to stay here on top so it's easier to find.
Part of the time I spent with Tom Scotto last week was filled with working out the details of this years ICI/PRO conference. We have big plans for this year that I'm sure will not disappoint you đ
I'm not ready to promote everything, but I will tell you that Tom is arranging to have a live band to provide the music for a number of our large group rides this year.
We promise to have the full conference agenda published by May 1st for ICI/PRO members to make their certification, workshop and session selections. Everyone else can select theirs after May 7th.
I have opened early registration for those of you wanting to get a jump on everyone else. This year we are offering you the chance to make multiple payments, rather than one lump sum. Here is the link to register.
Last year the hotel sold out. Even if you are thinking about sharing a room I would suggest that you reserve a room here's the link to the hotel (you can always cancel it) and we will be helping connect those looking for room-mates. NOTE: Our block of reserved rooms extends from September 28th to October 4th for those of you wanting to come early or stay a day or two longer.
If you missed seeing this, here are a few interviews from the conference last year.
Your ICI/PRO subscription may be a deductible education expense
An ICI/PRO member just sent me a request for a copy of her ICI/PRO annual membership for her taxes. If you can't locate your receipt email my assistant rob@indoorcycleinstructor.com and he will resend it to you.
That triggered me to write this post as a reminder to everyone that your ICI/PRO subscription maybe a deductible education expense. I'm not a tax expert so you will need to check with some Tax Professional that understands what is and isn't allowable where you live and teach.
For PRO members in the USA I found this at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=213044,00.html
Business Deduction for Work-Related Education
If you are an employee and can itemize your deductions, you may be able to claim a deduction for the expenses you pay for your work-related education. Your deduction will be the amount by which your qualifying work-related education expenses plus other job and certain miscellaneous expenses is greater than 2% of your adjusted gross income. An itemized deduction may reduce the amount of your income subject to tax. Note: If you were to incorporate your fitness business you maybe able to deduct all of this amount in the USA – John
If you are self-employed, you deduct your expenses for qualifying work-related education directly from your self-employment income. This may reduce the amount of your income subject to both income tax and self-employment tax.
Your work-related education expenses may also qualify you for other tax benefits, such as the tuition and fees deduction and the Hope and lifetime learning credits. You may qualify for these other benefits even if you do not meet the requirements listed above.
To claim a business deduction for work-related education, you must:
- Be working.
- Itemize your deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040 or 1040NR) if you are an employee.
- File Schedule C (Form 1040), Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040), or Schedule F (Form 1040) if you are self-employed.
- Have expenses for education that meet the requirements discussed underÂ
Qualifying Work-Related Education
You can deduct the costs of qualifying work-related education as business expenses. This is education that meets at least one of the following two tests:
- The education is required by your employer or the law to keep your present salary, status or job. The required education must serve a bona fide business purpose of your employer.
- The education maintains or improves skills needed in your present work.
However, even if the education meets one or both of the above tests, it is not qualifying work-related education if it:
- Is needed to meet the minimum educational requirements of your present trade or business or
- Is part of a program of study that will qualify you for a new trade or business.
That raises another question; would it make sense to find an expert who can help us decide if incorporating your fitness business would help you save money on future taxes? I know for me and Amy, once we formed Deep Breath In, LLC we were able to deduct many more of our expenses as they were no longer subject to the 2% threshold of our adjusted gross income.
Leave me a comment below đ
Happy Birthday Amy Macgowan
I can't let this day past without remembering Amy's (the Senior Group Fitness Instructor here at ICI/PRO) birthday. I'm forbidden to mention her age, so please don't ask. I will give you some clues to the year she was born; Cuban Misslle Crisis, Jamaica Gains Independence From Great Britain, the Beatles “Love Me Do” came out and it was the year the first James Bond movie – “Dr. No” hit the silver screen.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!!!
NOTE: I had a technical issue that caused the comments for this post to disappear. Sorry đ
Video Report From Gene Nacey at IHRSA
While I was in Boston last week meeting with Tom Scotto, Bill Pryor and Kenji Freedman, Gene Nacey was at this years IHRSA in California. It's the largest fitness equipment show in the USA and Gene was there checking out all the new Indoor Cycling bikes (or should I say cycles) that offer Power. Take a look at his video report.
Live Report From IHRSA from Cycling Fusion on Vimeo.
Here is a time-lapse video of the show setup.