Fill out worksheet as completely as possible. Save it as your name and tax year (janedoe2020.pdf). Page 6 of 12
Email a copy to david@davidturrentine.com. Don’t forget to mail/email/fax a copy of all your tax documents.
Artist Expenses In-Town Explanation Sheet
Advertising
Anything you spend to promote yourself. Pictures, résumés,
copying costs, photographer, makeup artist, retouching
costs. On-line databases such as castnet.com
. Voice demos
and their production costs.
Postage & Shipping
List here any postage and shipping costs not included in other
categories.
Office Expense
Toner, paper, paper clips, pens and pencils, organizers, etc.
Equipment Rental
Audio and video equipment, etc.
Space Rental
Rehearsal space, studio space.
Repairs
Just as equipment is deductible; so are repairs on that
equipment. But only to the extent that the original piece of
equipment is deductible. That is, a $100 repair on a piece of
equipment that is used 50% for business is a $50 deduction.
Supplies
Sheet music, records, books, CDs, scripts, props, etc.
Business Meals
Business meals are deductible expenses if a bona fide
business discussion takes place before, during, or after the
meal or entertainment. In addition to your receipt, keep track of
this in your daily log. Jot down who you met with, where you
met, and what you talked about. Personal meals which do
not involve other people are only deductible when overnight
travel is involved.
Telephone
Include the business portion of your cellular phone service.
The monthly service charge for any land line coming into
your home is not deductible. The cell phone accessories
should be included in the equipment area of the worksheet.
Fees
Did you pay anybody for anything? To transpose music for you,
accompany you at an audition, direct you in a showcase, sub
for you on a gig? If you pay an independent contractor $600 or
more in the year, you may need to issue them a 1099 form.
Classes
This is training that improves or enhances your present job
skills, including the transportation expense of getting back and
forth to classes. (Add cab and bus fare to Local
Transportation and auto mileage to the Auto Sheet).
Gifts for Business
This deduction is limited to $25 per recipient per year. Be sure
to include opening night gifts and backstage tips.
Hair/Makeup
The general expense of year-round hair costs are personal
expenditures. These costs are not deductible. Only styling
costs directly related to your work as a performing artist are
deductible. You can certainly take off the cost of doing
something special to your hair for a show or a job or for new
headshots. Makeup costs must be for business use only –
stage, film, TV work. Include the cost of character glasses,
wigs, electrolysis, and contacts (business portion only).
Costumes
Can you deduct that new outfit you bought specifically for an
audition for an industrial? The IRS says no. You can’t deduct
clothing that is suitable for everyday street wear, whether you
wear it there or not. So, go ahead and include the clown outfit,
but not the new dress or suit. Include smocks for doing makeup,
the tux for catering jobs and opening night parties, and dance
clothes.
Trade Publications
American Theatre Magazine, Audition News, Act One
Reports, Backstage, etc.
Tickets for Research
Tickets for movies and plays can be deducted if the viewings
were for research purposes. Make sure to keep good records
related to what you saw and why it was necessary for your work.
Dance concerts and museum admissions may also sometimes
qualify for a research expense.
Streaming Services
Netflix, Hulu, etc., to the extent that they are used for research.
Local Transportation
Don’t include your auto expenses here. There is a separate
sheet for them. Local transportation related to self-employment
can be included as an expense on your Schedule C. If your
home is your principal place of business, all your transportation
related to self-employment is deductible. Don’t forget to include
transportation related to business meetings, continuing
education, research, etc. Travelling to a regular place of work is
generally considered commuting and is not deductible.
Membership Fees
Equity and SAG/AFTRA union dues and initiation fees are no
longer deductible as they are related to W-2 income.
However, professional membership fees related to self-
employment (1099) income remain deductible. This includes
fees paid by directors, designers, or musician’s guilds or
other professional organizations.
Internet Service
The portion of your internet service that is used for business.
Cable
You may be able to deduct the percentage of your cable T.V.
bill that is used for business. (Not the portion that is
entertainment.)