Publications
Artist Deductions
All expenses must be business related. Also remember that any capital expenses must be either depreciated, or written off using the section 179 election or the de minimis safe harbor election. Capital expenses are generally business assets with a useful life of more than one year or expenses used to increase the value or prolong the life of an asset. If you elect to use the section 179 election, the item must be used more than 50% of the time for business purposes for it's entire depreciable life span. (Ex: If you buy a printer and use it to print resumes and headshots, you can write off the cost of purchasing it as long as you use it for business purposes more than 50% of the time for the next 5 years, since that is the depreciable lifespan of a printer)
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BE SURE TO KEEP UNION/EMPLOYEE RELATED EXPENSES SEPARATE FROM NON-UNION/INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR RELATED EXPENSES. SEE UNION VS NON-UNION FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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ALL EXPENSES MUST BE DOCUMENTED. SEE RECORD KEEPING FOR ADVICE ON KEEPING GOOD RECORDS.
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* Denotes Capital Expense
Advertising
-Resumes
-Headshots
-Business Cards
-Website Fees
-Cost of Demo Reels
-Business Gifts ($25 limit per person)
Business Meals
-See Meal Deduction for details.
Office Supplies
-Paper
-Ink Cartridges
-Postage Stamps
-Envelopes
-Etc.
Costume and Dancewear Purchases
-Does not apply to general streetwear (Ex: suits, t-shirts, shorts, jeans, etc.)
Hair Care, Make-up and Nails
-Only for specific business purposes like performances or photo sessions
Research Supplies
-Scripts
-Sheet Music
-Books
-Etc.
Parking and Toll Fees
-Cannot be used when commuting to and from work.
Research Viewing Fees
ONLY for specific researching purposes and MUST be documented
-Netflix
-Live Shows
-Films at a Theater
-Hulu
-Amazon
-Etc.
Lodging Expenses
-Only when traveling outside the general area of where you ordinarily work. You can also deduct laundry, air fare, taxi cabs, and other expenses.
Cell Phone Bills
-Only for business use. If you can get an itemized bill from your provider that will help.
Business Tax Preparation
-Only fees for the preparation of a Schedule C, C-EZ, E, or F can be deducted.
Home Office Expenses
-Can only be taken for the portion of your home used SOLELY for business
-Rent
-Mortgage Interest
-Utilities
-Insurance
-Real Estate Taxes
-Etc.
-I can also use a simplified method to calculate your deduction if your office is less than 300 sq feet.
Agent Commissions and Fees
Casting Registration
-This includes sites like IMDB, Actor's Access, Twin Cities Casting, MN Playlist, etc.
Mileage Driven
-See Mileage Deduction for details.
Art Supplies
Space and Studio Rental
Costume Maintenance
-NOT general streetwear
Musical Instruments*
Musical Instrument Maintenance
Contract Labor
-Cast and Crew Wages
Equipment*
-Printers
-Computers
-Cameras
-Speakers
-Sound Booms
-Microphones
-Etc.
Classes and Coaching Lessons
Trade Publications
-Backstage
-Broadway World
-American Theatre
-Etc.
Cable and Internet Fees
ONLY the portions used for business and research purposes
Second Phone Line
-Only deductible if used for business. A first phone line cannot be deducted.
Health Insurance Premiums
-If you are self-employed AND are not eligible to participate in an employer-sponsored health plan belonging to you OR your spouse, you can deduct your health insurance premiums to the extent of your net self-employed income.
Accompanist Expenses
Passport for Business Use
Union Dues and Initiation Fees
-Only in states that allow employee expenses