ASA Financial Literacy Workshop: Turning Tax Anxiety into Practical Confidence

After the Armenian Government rolled out the new system of income declaration, freelancers and creatives were left with many questions on how to declare their income and how grants and honoraria are taxed. To address this, in October 2025, ASA hosted a hands-on Financial Literacy Workshop tailored for the creative sector. During the workshop, Astghik Iskandaryan, ASA Financial expert and Founder & Director of Fin.co LLC led a practical training, turning legal language into artist‑friendly guidance. Over 100 participants from across Armenia’s cultural sector spent the day unpacking real‑life questions. They learned how to handle travel grants, individual honoraria, and other non‑salary income streams, how the new self‑declaration rules work, and what steps are required to stay compliant with the system.

The workshop was unique with its “learn and do” approach. Following the training, Iskandaryan and the Fin.co team sat down one‑on‑one with

attendees to help them complete and submit their income declaration forms on the spot. During the following four days, the Fin.co team hosted more one-on-one sessions for those who didn’t receive guidance during the workshop. As a result, more than 100 artists successfully completed their tax declarations.

Speaking of their experience, one participant said, “I had so many questions about the income declaration process, and didn’t know where to start. During the course, with the guidance of specialists, we filled out my declaration very quickly. I feel much more confident, and I’m sure the other participants left the course feeling the same way.”

Another attendee appreciated that the content was tailored for creatives: “The training was extremely important and effective. The specialists presented the material in a language that was clear and accessible for artists. I hope our cooperation will continue.” This kind of feedback confirms the central point of the workshop: financial literacy is not a luxury add‑on, but a basic tool of professional survival for anyone working in the arts.

This training is part of ASA’s broader commitment to strengthening the foundations of Armenia’s cultural community—not only by supporting artistic vision, but also by helping creatives manage practical challenges with confidence, from contracts and taxes to long‑term planning. More financial literacy workshops are planned to help artists focus their resources on creative work rather than bureaucratic struggles.

Stay tuned to ASA’s channels for upcoming dates and opportunities.