Dough in domination?

Dear Sasha, I’m a 22-year-old aspiring dominatrix. I’ve recently started training with a former and current professional dominatrix to develop my skills. While the professionals have been helpful in teaching me the technical elements of the art, it’s been hard to get financial advice from them.

I’m definitely interested in knowing about what type of income earning potential there is in domination but I’m also interested in learning about how I should report my income and the category of occupation. 

From my understanding, BDSM is legal and therefore, as a practitioner, I should be paying taxes. I’d also like to report my income so that I can have an opportunity at home- and car-ownership rather than just cash and spend. As I’m looking at domination as a career, I want to ensure that this is a sensible choice.

-Dominant to All Men, but Submissive to the TAXMAN

Dear Dominant,

Tax accountant Lory Berger: “In terms of what category a dom falls into, or for that matter almost any sex worker, ‘711510-independent artists, authors and interpreters (performers)’ is the correct NAICS placement. Generally, a dominatrix is in business for herself. If she does go the legal route, she gets a GST number when she needs to, declares all her income, and only deducts expenses, or a proportion thereof, that are spent for the purposes of the business. Keeping receipts is a must, as is annotating them with the reason you are deducting the expense.”

Berger gives a long list of expenses that can be deducted, including your training (if you can get a proper receipt), trade publications, costumes, business travel, equipment and dungeon.

Here’s the pickle: while prostitution is legal in our country (and by our hazy laws, BDSM could fall under that category) keeping a bawdyhouse is not. A dungeon, therefore, could be construed as a bawdyhouse.

Lawyer Alan Young mentioned in this piece that he hadn’t dealt with a dungeon bust since the ’90s but just know if you are planning to open a dungeon or work at one, this could present tax issues.

Dear Sasha, I read your column weekly and a few weeks ago, there was an interesting letter from a woman about her not being able to orgasm [“Coming or not?,” Sept. 4] . I’m an MD but I’m not registered to practise here in Canada. I’ve done some sex counselling and therapy before and I’ve had two cases in my 22 years of experience where women couldn’t orgasm and I was able to make them do so.

There are many reasons for this but I have my MD from India and there are some methods that I learnt there. I’m willing to help this individual but it has to be very confidential and private. She can use my e-mail or she can call me at work [offers phone number]. It’s up to her but I don’t see why we cannot help her. It involves a lot of trust and counselling and reconditioning of her mind and will involve physical contact maybe. But don’t publish this reply. I just thought it was an interesting case.

—N.O

Dear N.O,

Are you fucking kidding me? You write me this Monty Python meets Benny Hill-hilarious letter and I’m not allowed to publish it? Sorry but I have to and also sorry if you’re a real doctor but come on, are you seriously working the mystical South Asian angle? I love the phrase, “Physical contact maybe.” Very professional, very reassuring!

I believe women can be helped to reach orgasm by example and intimate contact but that’s where workshops and books offered by people like Jamye Waxman and Betty Dodson come in. Even if you are truly qualified, two cases in 22 years isn’t exactly cause to forward along your resume. Many of us blundering along with no experience do better than that by sheer accident.

Got any questions for Sasha? E-MAIL: POULEDELUXE@YAHOO.COM