However, you must not lose sight of the fact that it’s also a job, a business venture, subject to the same laws as any other type of business. The IRS regulations require you to file 1099s to anyone you pay $600 or more within the tax year and who is not a corporation. Be aware that since an LLC can be a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, you will need to clarify if any of the LLCs you hire are incorporated or not. As entertainment tax accountants, our company is the tax firm for high-performers. It’s for DJs, producers, and artists who are pushing boundaries to become the best at what they do while we crunch the numbers for them.

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The difference in cost between an accountant and a tax preparer depends on the individual. Because a certified public accountant often can provide financial services beyond basic tax preparation, they may be more expensive than hiring a tax preparer to file basic taxes. A 1040 form is the primary form people use to declare how much they earned and how much they owe in taxes. There are three versions of the form to choose from, and each of these options requires you to enter all of your income. Your income is anything you earned, including salaries, money from gigs, interest from your bank accounts, profit from investments, royalties, etc.

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“Finish up your schooling and certifications, then look for internships and opportunities to work with Managers and artists. If you’re expecting royalties, our team can register you with multiple rights societies, making sure your statements are coming through accurately, and calculate royalty commissions due to third parties. If you ever have a query, we can do our best to answer it, or liaise with the rights societies for you to get the clearest possible answer.

Is Hiring a CPA Worth It?

You’ll also want to know what is deductible for an independent artist and make the best of the advantages that come with being a professional musician. The Music CPA provides entertainers an independent outlet to help manage or review finances. The difference between The Music CPA and other professionals in the industry is we do not share in a percentage of your entertainment revenues. This independence provides an additional trusted outlet to assess financial decisions. Our entertainment niche provides the knowledge to manage financial needs and bring professional resources to the table for each growth phase of your career. There is also free accounting software with unlimited invoicing and mileage tracking features.

• If you are hired as an independent contractor, you can expect to pay an average of 25–30 percent tax on your income (this percentage varies depending on your income tax bracket).
• I’m Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed.
• Another friend is a drummer who makes most of their income through teaching private students.
• Our focus is on tax and accounting issues, recoupable expenses, tour budgeting, asset depreciation, contracts, program budgeting and much more.
• The first thing to understand about music accounting is that you need to keep track of all of your income and expenses.

Royalties that aren’t related to your primary line of work may also be recorded using Schedule E (see this for details). Our accountants have worked with some of the world’s largest acts, both assisting with major accountant for musicians international tours, and looking after the finances at home. For heritage acts, this often involves caring for parents, siblings and children financially, and dealing with inheritance tax, or trusts and estates.

Factors To Consider When Setting an Accountant’s Rates

Accountants

Our Review of the Best Accounting Software For Musicians:

• Our clients range from individuals who are part-time entertainers to seasoned industry professionals who have carved out successful careers.
• The IRS will place you in one of two categories to determine if you’re required to pay tax on your music-related activities.
• You’ll also need to factor in your time spent creating music, which you can calculate by using an hourly rate.
• So whether you perform for a national orchestra, teach music, are in a wedding band or you’re the next Ed Sheeran or Lady Gaga, you can be sure we’re singing from the same songsheet.
• By the end, you’ll know how to keep track of your income and expenses, understand basic financial concepts, and make smart decisions about your money.