A company has asked me to create content for an online programming course. They'll pay me with an upfront deposit and ongoing royalties.

If I use my full legal name as my author name when publishing this course, does doing so bind me to paying (corporate and personal) income taxes forever? If so, can I lawfully and legally use any pen name I choose when signing my contract with them and publishing the course?


I ask these questions because I won't be able to set up my private express trusts in time. I'd just like to be aware of all details that will make it impossible to do so and to avoid future tax liability once I do transfer this type of income stream to a corporation properly set up to be controlled by private express trusts.

Can I then renegotiate this contract under this new corporation to legally stop paying corporate and personal taxes?



Thank you in advance,



Rolando

Rights to royalties are property, no different from any other asset. They can be sold, donated or otherwise transferred at any time. When entering into a rights contract with royalties, it is often worth including an assignment clause to ensure the parties agree that the rights can be sold or assigned. Also, simply making the payee "John Doe and/or assignee(s)" does the trick.