30 Tax Write-Offs for Independent Musicians
NAICS business codeYour NAICS business code is a six-digit string of numbers that shows the type of work your business does. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. When you do your taxes, you'll enter it in Box B of your Schedule C.711510
Reviewed bya tax professionalThis content has been reviewed by an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS — the highest credential awarded by the agency. Enrolled Agents are empowered to represent all taxpayers before the IRS, on all types of tax-related matters. Accountants who earn this certification have passed a comprehensive three-part exam on individual and business tax returns. To maintain EA status, they must stay up to date in the field by completing 72 hours of continuing education every three years.Listen, we get it — just because you’re used to counting time, that doesn’t mean you’re a math whiz. Taxes in particular can easily trip people up, with their complex rules and rapidly changing tempo.
Luckily, there’s an easy trick all independent musicians can use to save money on their taxes. By writing off all the ordinary business expenses you run up every day, you can easily lower your tax bill several octaves. Talk about music to your ears!
Adobe, Audacity, GarageBand are necessary for the job and therefore tax-deductible.
AI tools used to create business content—including editing, image, music, voice, and scripting software—can be written off.
PA systems, cables, mics, and other hardware used to record or project music is tax-deductible.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Coaching, seminars, or workshops used to maintain your work-related skills can be written off.
Instruments, cases, bows, music stands, even your music library are tax-deductible expenses.
Spotify, Pandora, and other services help you keep up with industry trends and do research for your own work.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
If you buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible.
Booking time at a recording studio can be an expensive, but it's a necessary work expense.
Purchasing records, CDs, and tapes for research is tax-deductible for you.
If you rent a recording studio, you can write off the expense.
You can write off the depreciation on your recording equipment over the years.
If you drive for work ...
It might be music to your ears to find out that you can deduct car expenses if you drive for work, like to get to a gig or band practice.
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
If you go out to eat or grab a drink with a venue owner, promoter, producer, or agent to promote your music, it counts as a business expense and can be written off your taxes. Similarly, getting food or drinks with fellow musicians to talk about trends in the music industry also counts!
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
If you're playing at an out-of-town gig, you can write off the associated travel expenses, like renting a van or booking accommodations.
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write-offs.
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
If you work from home ...
If you have a home studio or just a dedicated workspace to research and compose music, you can write off some of your home office expenses.
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? Your water bill counts.
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
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