Who we help
Athletes first, with room for the people who support them
Anchor & Flint works with NCAA student athletes who earn NIL income from endorsements, collectives, appearances, licensing, or social media. The athlete is our client and stays at the center of the work. Parents, guardians, and advisors are welcome to take part in the way the athlete prefers.
Athletes
You earned it. You should understand it.
You are balancing school, training, competition, and now a set of financial decisions that most people do not face until much later. NIL income can be meaningful, and it is often uneven: a big month, then nothing, then a deal that pays in products instead of cash.
We help you:
- Understand what your NIL income means for your taxes, in plain language
- Know how much to set aside from each payment, and when payments to the IRS or your state are due
- Keep contracts, payments, and receipts organized without it taking over your week
- Ask the tax question before signing a deal, forming an LLC, or making a large purchase
- Build habits that will still serve you after your college career
We will not talk down to you, and we will not make decisions for you. If you want a parent or advisor involved, we will include them. If you would rather handle things yourself, that is your call, within whatever legal requirements apply to your age and situation.
Parents and guardians
A clear explanation, and a professional keeping watch
Many parents are handed a set of questions they never expected: Is this taxable? Who is responsible for paying it? Does it affect our own return? What happens if no one sends a tax form?
We explain the issues clearly and without jargon, keep you informed to the extent the athlete wants you involved, and bring a steady, conservative approach to decisions that can feel urgent.
- Plain explanations of how NIL income is taxed and reported
- Attention to how the athlete's income may interact with a family return, such as dependency questions
- Regular updates on estimated payments and deadlines
- A consistent point of contact across seasons
If the athlete is under 18. Some NIL activity begins before college, and a minor may need a parent or guardian involved in contracts, accounts, and tax matters. We work with the family in that case, while still treating the athlete as the person whose income and future are at stake.
Agents, collectives, and advisors
A CPA partner who stays within scope
Agents and marketing representatives focus on deals. Attorneys handle contracts and legal questions. School compliance offices handle eligibility and NIL reporting. Anchor & Flint handles the tax and accounting side, and coordinates with each of you when the athlete asks us to.
- Tax and reporting perspective on deal structures, before and after signing
- Accurate records that make questions from payers or compliance offices easier to answer
- Clear communication about what we handle and what belongs with someone else
We do not give legal, investment, or eligibility advice, and we do not negotiate deals. When a question belongs elsewhere, we say so.
Is this a fit?
An honest look at who we serve best
A good working relationship depends on fit on both sides. The first conversation is a chance for you to assess us, and for us to understand whether we can help.
Usually a strong fit
- An athlete earning substantial or complicated NIL income, often for the first time
- Income from several sources, or paid partly in products and services
- Work or travel for deals in more than one state
- Someone who values structure and professional oversight
- Willingness to track income, keep documents, and plan ahead for taxes
- Interest in working together throughout the year, not only at tax time
Probably better served elsewhere
- Looking only for a single tax return, with no ongoing relationship
- Looking for aggressive strategies or promises of large tax savings
- Not interested in keeping records or setting money aside
- Needing legal, immigration, or investment advice as the main service
If we are not the right fit, we will tell you early and, where we can, suggest what kind of help to look for instead.
International athletes
International students face additional questions about whether NIL activity is permitted under their visa or immigration status, and how they are taxed as residents or nonresidents. The immigration and legal questions need to be answered by your school's international student office and a qualified immigration attorney before you take on NIL work. Anchor & Flint does not provide immigration or legal advice. We can discuss the tax side once those questions are resolved.
Talk through your situation
A first conversation is a chance to understand what you are earning, what questions you have, and whether ongoing help from Anchor & Flint makes sense. Parents, guardians, and advisors are welcome to join.