ASCAP publisher royalty checks

[deantaylor]

....
I could ask ascap, but they've given me incorrect answers in the past.

My question is very simple:
Do you receive ASCAP (not BMI) royalty checks for your PUBLISHER share (not writer share) in your OWN NAME?

For example:
Say my ASCAP publishing company name is: Dean Music
I want my checks made payable to: Dean Taylor
not to: Dean Music
not to: Dean Taylor doing business as Dean Music

Thanks.

[Casey H]

If you contact ASCAP, they can re-direct your payments to Charles P....

Seriously, I haven't done what you asked but if they can change how the checks are issues that would make it easier. Banking laws vary widely from state to state and bank to bank.

Best
Casey

[deantaylor]

....
I am 99 percent sure that it can be done. Seems easy. On member access I changed how the check is supposed to be written .. so that it is payable to my name, not my publishing company name .... but I want to confirm with someone who has actually received their payment this way, because sometimes things don't always work as they seem.

[mazz]

I suggest you set up a separate checking account under your publishing company name or as "your name- dba". That way, no matter how the checks come you can still deposit them.

Another idea just popped into my head: Why not just set up direct deposit? Then it shouldn't matter. ASCAP has a direct deposit option and you could have it directed to any account you specify.

Yeah, direct deposit, then you can save a tree and use less fuel at the same time! Plus you'll have more time to write because you won't have to go to the bank.

Cheers!

Mazz

[stevebarden]

Yes, direct deposit is the best and easiest way to go. You can have it go to any bank account. Here, let me give you my account number...

Steve

[deantaylor]

...
Thanks .... but I've already thought about those options and more:

I may do direct deposit eventually, but names have to match at my bank to do direct deposit .. can't direct deposit a Dean Music 'check' to a Dean Taylor bank account

I don't want to set up a new bank account ... I'd have to formally register/set up a business in my state to do this .. fees involved .. hassles .. etc.

Like I said before, I am 99 percent sure I can get the check made out to Dean Taylor. In theory, I've already 'done' it.
ALL I AM LOOKING FOR IS SOMEONE TO VERIFY THAT THEY ALREADY DO THIS. JUST TO BE 100 PERCENT SURE IT WORKS.

Thanks.

[stevebarden]

I don't think that's true. I setup direct deposit for my publisher account to go to my regular checking account. My publisher name is a fictitious business name - not my name. All I had to do was supply the account and bank routing numbers.

[mojobone]

Probably best to bite the bullet and file a DBA, Dean; after all, at some point, you'll run across a client who can't or won't do direct deposit, and you'll have to be able to endorse a check. I know it's tricky in some states, because the bank will require a business license, the county takes a fee, the city and state may take one, too, the feds assign a tax ID number, and it's a slippery slope-before you know it you could be totally legit, and that much less of a rocknroll rebel. Next thing you know, you're hiring accountants and lawyers and complaining about all these liberals who don't want to work for anything

[deantaylor]

Thanks Steve. It may be different in different states and even for different banks in the same state. Can't say as I know how it works everywhere. I just know what my bank told me. Of course, they may have told me wrong. lol But I have also deduced a little from other direct deposit experiences. I'll likely try direct deposit at some point ... But

Like I said .. I am 99 percent sure I've solved the problem .... the name on the checks should be mine from now on. I'm just trying to verify that this ASCAP feature really works.

Thanks Mojo ... LOL. I hear you.

[suzdoyle]

Hey Dean,

I use one checking account for both personal and Biz things at this point (I like to keep it simple). However, my Credit Union told me I could always open a Savings account in my biz name (free, same as my personal checking and savings accounts) and can deposit checks w/ biz names on them into there, then simply transfer funds to my personal accounts.

That's one way around opening a separate business checking account if you're not quite ready to do so.

,
Suz