Occupy Wall Street Video Project

[Fifth Way]

I also have to clear up this burning question with my accountant.

Yes.  At this point I think it would be VERY helpful if you could provide documentation regarding who paid your corporate registration fees...a receipt, canceled check, etc?
The amount due is public info, but who actually paid for you is not.

I am sorry to have to ask for these things Fifthway, and I hope you understand why I do?

I do. I want to know myself!

[Perceval]

I as the ultimate decision maker have to control all of it all the time to make sure it all happens and I am with everybody in contact at all time.

OK, I think I grok.  Essentially (in construction terms) you're the "General Contractor" in charge of all the sub-contractors?

That seems to be about it. The problem being that FW has convinced himself that he knows how to do the 'subcontracting', when he clearly has no clue. He's a pretty dangerous person in that regard, where he convinces himself that he is something he is not and then ropes people (and their money) into his illusion. When it crashes and burns, others go down with him, and the others usually come off worse than FW.

In short, he lacks anything close to a reasonable estimation of this own self worth.

[Guardian]

I guess you could look at it that way.

Sounds similar to what I'd do to flip a house. Buy a rundown unit, decide everything I want to do to it, then hire subcontractors to gut it, rewire, plumb, roof, select and order all the materials, etc.  Lawyers/Title companies handle the purchase and a Real Estate agent sells it when I'm done. I'm considered the owner/general contractor and I take bids, then parcel out the work to various sub contractors and agents.  Keeping more than a dozen workers organized and on track is hard work, but it's a decent (and fair) way to make a living OSIT.

The only real difference I see is that I wouldn't ask for donations for the project, I'd use profits from the last sale and/or get a construction note.

[Guardian]

That seems to be about it. The problem being that FW has convinced himself that he knows how to do the 'subcontracting', when he clearly has no clue.

Ohhh, that's not good.  I won't go into the (very wet) details, but suffice to say that I'm no longer under the illusion that all it takes for me to be a plumber is a hacksaw and some pvc cement   

[Mrs. Tigersoap]

What FW described as his role in the movie-making seems to be typical of what you learn in Arts and Communications Schools in different countries in Europe, actually. In Belgium as well, if you go to this type of school, you get a hands-on education where you learn to use a camera, a video camera, graphic design softwares, etc. You try your hand at everything and know a bit about everything but the ultimate aim when you get out of school is to lead a team that will do it for you. You know whereof you speak but cannot really call yourself a cameraman, a photographer or a graphic designer. I know several people who went to this type of school and they became art directors, gallery owners, they manage a cultural centre, etc.

[Fifth Way]

I also have to clear up this burning question with my accountant.

Yes.  At this point I think it would be VERY helpful if you could provide documentation regarding who paid your corporate registration fees...a receipt, canceled check, etc?
The amount due is public info, but who actually paid for you is not.

I am sorry to have to ask for these things Fifthway, and I hope you understand why I do?

I do. I want to know myself!

My accountant was not in the office but I spoke to him on the phone.

He said when one forms a corporation, one files with the “Secretary of the State” and that address stays there forever (but he did not seem to be 100% certain and will check into the matter tomorrow when he is back in the office).

However he did not seemed to be overly concerned as he said that he has not seen the Biannual Forms in years, not only not for my corporation but also not for other corporations either.

For tax purposes you file all your forms with the “New York State Department of Taxation” which is the important department where we have always supplied the current address.

I also asked him to look into who paid my corporate registration fees and whether there are reoccurring fees?

He promised to give me the answers by email tomorrow.

[Guardian]

He said when one forms a corporation, one files with the “Secretary of the State” and that address stays there forever (but he did not seem to be 100% certain and will check into the matter tomorrow when he is back in the office).

However he did not seemed to be overly concerned as he said that he has not seen the Biannual Forms in years, not only not for my corporation but also not for other corporations either.

For tax purposes you file all your forms with the “New York State Department of Taxation” which is the important department where we have always supplied the current address.

I also asked him to look into who paid my corporate registration fees and whether there are reoccurring fees?

He promised to give me the answers by email tomorrow.

Ok.

While you're digging into details, you might want to take a look at one of the 165 members of your "Psychopaths - And Why You Need To Know" Facebook group, "Angie Jolie" aka Angelina Jolie.

I found it rather odd that the famous partner of Rachael Horovitz's co-producer and friend Brad Pitt would be one of your 165 supporters for the film?

[Fifth Way]

He said when one forms a corporation, one files with the “Secretary of the State” and that address stays there forever (but he did not seem to be 100% certain and will check into the matter tomorrow when he is back in the office).

However he did not seemed to be overly concerned as he said that he has not seen the Biannual Forms in years, not only not for my corporation but also not for other corporations either.

For tax purposes you file all your forms with the “New York State Department of Taxation” which is the important department where we have always supplied the current address.

I also asked him to look into who paid my corporate registration fees and whether there are reoccurring fees?

He promised to give me the answers by email tomorrow.

Ok.

While you're digging into details, you might want to take a look at one of the 165 members of your "Psychopaths - And Why You Need To Know" Facebook group, "Angie Jolie" aka Angelina Jolie.

I found it rather odd that the famous partner of Rachael Horovitz's co-producer and friend Brad Pitt would be one of your 165 supporters for the film?

I added most of the people to the group, which you can see when you crawl down the feed. She is one of many many fb "friends" and I doubt  very much she is the real Angelina Jolie.

[Guardian]

I added most of the people to the group, which you can see when you crawl down the feed. She is one of many many fb "friends" and I doubt  very much she is the real Angelina Jolie.

Oh I doubt many (if any?) of the big stars create and maintain their own websites, Facebook pages, etc.  Still, it's another one of those weird "coincidences"

[Guardian]

My accountant was not in the office but I spoke to him on the phone.

He said when one forms a corporation, one files with the “Secretary of the State” and that address stays there forever (but he did not seem to be 100% certain and will check into the matter tomorrow when he is back in the office).

However he did not seemed to be overly concerned as he said that he has not seen the Biannual Forms in years, not only not for my corporation but also not for other corporations either.

Maybe it would help your accountant to have a copy of the relevant law? 

http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/nycode/BSC/4/408

N.Y. BSC. LAW § 408 : NY Code - Section 408: Biennial statement; filing
Search N.Y. BSC. LAW § 408 : NY Code - Section 408: Biennial statement; filing


1.  Each domestic corporation, and each foreign corporation authorized
  to do business in this state, shall, during the applicable filing period
  as determined by subdivision three of this  section,  file  a  statement
  setting forth:
    (a) The name and business address of its chief executive officer.
    (b) The street address of its principal executive office.
    (c) The post office address within or without this state to which the
  secretary of state shall mail a copy of any process  against  it  served
  upon  him  or  her. Such address shall supersede any previous address on
  file with the department of state for this purpose.
    2. Such statement shall be made on forms prescribed by  the  secretary
  of state, and the information therein contained shall be given as of the
  date  of  the  execution  of  the  statement.  Such statement shall only
  request reporting of information required under paragraph  one  of  this
  section. It shall be signed and delivered to the department of state.
    3.  For the purpose of this section the applicable filing period for a
  corporation shall be  the  calendar  month  during  which  its  original
  certificate  of incorporation or application for authority were filed or
  the effective date thereof if stated. The applicable filing period shall
  only occur: (a) annually, during the period starting on  April  1,  1992
  and  ending  on  March  31,  1994;  and  (b) biennially, during a period
  starting  on  April  1  and  ending  on  March  31   thereafter.   Those
  corporations  that  filed  between April 1, 1992 and June 30, 1994 shall
  not be required to file such statements again until such  time  as  they
  would have filed, had this subdivision not been amended.
    4.  The  provisions of subdivision eleven of section ninety-six of the
  executive law and paragraph (g) of section  one  hundred  four  of  this
  chapter shall not be applicable to filings pursuant to this section.
    5.  The  provisions  of  this  section and section 409 of this article
  shall not apply  to  a  farm  corporation.  For  the  purposes  of  this
  subdivision,  the  term  "farm  corporation"  shall  mean  any  domestic
  corporation or foreign corporation authorized to  do  business  in  this
  state  under  this chapter engaged in the production of crops, livestock
  and livestock products on  land  used  in  agricultural  production,  as
  defined in section 301 of the agriculture and markets law.
    6.  No  such statement shall be accepted for filing when a certificate
  of resignation for receipt of process has been filed under section three
  hundred six-A of this  chapter  unless  the  corporation  has  stated  a
  different  address  for  process  which does not include the name of the
  party  previously  designated  in  the  address  for  process  in   such
  certificate.
    7.  A  domestic  corporation  or  foreign  corporation  may  amend its
  statement to change the information required by subdivisions (a) and (b)
  of paragraph one of this section. Such amendment shall be made on  forms
  prescribed  by  the secretary of state. It shall be signed and delivered
  to the department of state.


http://www.dos.ny.gov/corps/bus_llc_faq_statements.asp

What is a Biennial Statement for a Business Corporation or Limited Liability Company?

Domestic and foreign business corporations are required by Section 408 of the Business Corporation Law to file a Biennial Statement every two years with the New York Department of State. The Biennial Statement must set forth: (i) the name and business address of its chief executive officer, (ii) the street address of its principal executive office and (iii) the address to which the New York Secretary of State shall forward copies of process accepted on behalf of the corporation. The Biennial Statement form is provided by the New York Department of State. Not-for-profit corporations are not required to file Biennial Statements.

Domestic and foreign limited liability companies (LLCs) are required by Section 301(e) of the Limited Liability Company Law to file a Biennial Statement every two years with the New York Department of State setting forth the address to which the New York Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process accepted on its behalf. The Biennial Statement form is provided by the New York Department of State.

Why should I file a Biennial Statement?

A corporation or LLC that fails to file its Biennial Statement will be reflected in the New York Department of State’s records as past due in the filing of its Biennial Statement. Any Certificate under Seal or status letter obtained from the New York Department of State will reflect that the corporation or LLC is past due in the filing of its Biennial Statement. This may prevent the corporation or LLC from completing certain business transactions.

Litigation with corporations and LLCs is often initiated by the service of process on the New York Secretary of State as agent of the corporation or LLC. The New York Department of State is required to send a copy of such process to the corporation or LLC at the post office address on file for service of process. Many companies move their location and neglect to notify the New York Department of State. Filing a Biennial Statement affords a corporation or LLC the opportunity of updating their address for service of process and avoiding the possibility of a default judgement.

Where do I get the form for filing a Biennial Statement?

The Biennial Statement is made on forms provided by the New York Department of State. You may only use the forms provided by the New York Department of State.

For business corporations, the Biennial Statement is automatically mailed to the address of the principal executive office or, if none is listed, the form is mailed to the address for service of process. The Biennial Statement is mailed one month prior to its due date.

For LLCs, the Biennial Statement is automatically mailed to the address for service of process. The Biennial Statement is mailed to the LLC one month prior to its due date.

If you have not received a Biennial Statement, please contact the Statement Unit of the New York Department of State’s Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231-0002 to request a copy. You may also contact the Statement Unit by fax at (518) 486-4680 or by E-mail. Your request must include the exact name of the corporation or LLC and its date of formation or authorization. 

[Guardian]

Just so you understand how important this is FW, if someone were to sue you, and the people at your corporate address "288 W. 4TH STREET" refused service, whoever sued you could get a default judgement.

I find it odd that a professional accountant wouldn't know this?

[Fifth Way]

Just so you understand how important this is FW, if someone were to sue you, and the people at your corporate address "288 W. 4TH STREET" refused service, whoever sued you could get a default judgement.

Thank you so much Guardian! I will definitely copy the whole thing and email it to him right now!!!

I find it odd that a professional accountant wouldn't know this?

Well, I am not so surprised. There is a reason that this whole corporate world is such a huge mess in this country. Accounts are a big part of it, especially big corporate accountants. Thanks again.

[voyageur]

Fwiw FW, received my pledge cancellation with personal explanation via Kickstarter, so thank you for that.

“All there is are lessons” and a few have become more apparent...

[Ailén]

Well, I am not so surprised. There is a reason that this whole corporate world is such a huge mess in this country. Accounts are a big part of it, especially big corporate accountants. Thanks again.

"Big corporate accountant"? Is that what yours is? So how can you afford paying him if you can barely pay your rent? I don't get it.

[Laura]

Well, I am not so surprised. There is a reason that this whole corporate world is such a huge mess in this country. Accounts are a big part of it, especially big corporate accountants. Thanks again.

"Big corporate accountant"? Is that what yours is? So how can you afford paying him if you can barely pay your rent? I don't get it.

Moreover, if my accountant was that dumb, I'd be worried.