Taxes, and all that other mess..

[Mary Sparrow]

I need some serious help in the "business" side of all of this. I'm SOOO unorganized. I have a mental block against keeping all of my reciepts and the such together. I have technically been "closed" for business for the last couple of years being a mom. Now Im ready to get back to real work, and I guess that means getting organized is going to have to go along with that. Does anyone know of any FABULOUS software, or specific daytimers, actually ANYTHING that is geared towards artists to help me keep track of everything?

Also, we spent a small fortune converting a room off the back of my house this year into a studio for me. Can I write that off? Do I write it off this year, when I technically have been "closed" for business?. Do you know how much I can write off each year for using this space solely for my work? Other than art supplies, what else should I be keeping track of as tax write offs.

Thanks
Mary