The Business of Singing - Tax preparation http://www.thebusinessofsinging.com/sr_resources/topics/taxpreparation.

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Acting Classes TAX PREPARATION

Agents
AGMA Role Classification
FREE OR LOW COST SERVICES: In my research for this site, I discovered
Alexander Technique
that many volunteer lawyers for the arts associations also offer accounting
Audition Information
services. See Legal Issues and Advice for links.
Audition Spaces

Business Training for Singers

ONLINE

Riley & Associates

CD Duplication, Design, and
Media Transfer Services Check out this helpful website chock-full of goodies specifically geared
towards artists by category , including a downloadable expense form, FAQ,
CD Products
income worksheet, tips, and more. Also offered for sale is a book, The New
Childcare and Children's Issues
Church Jobs Tax Guide for Artists.
www.arts-taxinfo.com
Clip Art
Coaches/Accompanists
Copyright NEW YORK

Electronics Cason and Company

European Auditions 330 W 42nd St.
New York, NY
Fach System (212) 564-8609
Financial Assistance
Formal and Audition Wear HD Vest Financial Services
Free step-by-step system lets you file your state and federal taxes
General Information and Tips electronically
www.hdvest.com
Headphones
Healthcare Lewis Holman
Health Insurance
Eric Krone, CPA
Legal Resources I personally recommend Eric. He's a great guy and works for many
Lodging singers.
230 Park Ave. at 46th St. Ste. 665
Makeup Artists New York, NY 10169
Minidiscs and Microphones (212) 953-1104
Music Licensing
Music Publishers Don Robinson
Music Stores and Online Phone: 212.645.4889
Sources Fax: 212.255.6816
DRTAXGUY@concentric.net
One Act Operas www.concentric.net/~Drtaxguy
Opera Merchandise
Orchestra Scores VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
Organizations This organization helps Equity members with their tax returns on a pro
bono basis.
Performance Spaces for Rent In the Equity Building
Photo Reproductions 165 W. 46th, 14th Floor
Photographers New York, NY 10036
Publicity 212-921-2548 Call for hours.

Recorded Gordon Voorhees

Accompaniments/Study Former singer; experienced with performers' taxes

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Recorded Music
Recording Studios BAY AREA
Recording Tips - In Studios
Rehearsal/Warm-up Spaces Timothy J. O’Brien
Remedies From a family of professional musicians; experienced in artists' issues
Resume Paper Tax & Accounting Office
Reviews 440 N. Central, Suite C
Campbell, CA 95008
Soundproofing (408) 378-0483
Sublets tobrien2@ix.netcom.com
Summer Programs and
Pay-to-Sings SOME DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSES FOR PERFORMERS
From a list my accountant uses
Tax Preparation
Temp Agencies PROFESSIONAL EXPENSES
Translations Meals & Entertainment (in town)
Transpositions Conferances & Entertainment (at home)
Travel and Transportation Listing in professional directories (Musical America, Players' Guide, etc.)
Travel Goodies Photos & Publicity
Stationary/Postage/Resumes
Unemployment Insurance Costumes & Cleaning
Universities and Conservatories Makeup/Wigs/Hairdye
Coachings/Lessons
Voice Teachers Accompanist
Rehearsal Hall Rental
Web Design Public Phone
Website Hosting Home Phone - Identified Long Distance
Weddings, Funerals, etc. Answering Service/Machine
Dues (Equity/AGMA/SAG/AFTRA etc.)
Young Artist Programs Subscriptions/Publications/Books
Local Transportation
Thank Yous Gifts to Profession (show gifts, etc.)
Theater/Movie/Video Rental Tickets
Backstage Tips
Music/Scripts/Recordings
Dancing Clothes/Shoes
Repairs
Professional Cards and Announcements
Audio/Visual Equipment
Accounting Fees
Cable
Supplies

TRAVEL EXPENSES
List places travelled for gigs or auditions, and dates

MEALS AWAY FROM HOME

If you take standard deduction, list the city you were in and number of
days you were there. Your accountant will know what the going per diem
is for that city; it changes year to year.
Cost per day x # of days = your deduction

OTHER EXPENSES
Laundry & Cleaning
Luggage & Tips
Auto Rental & Gas
Parking
Tolls
Local Transportation while on the road (taxi, bus fare, etc.)
Plane/Train Fare
Lodging
Utilities
Audition Fees

TAX TIPS FROM VITA (Volunteer Income Tax

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Assistance)

Some of this is repetitive. but I thought it was worth including. Keep in

mind that VITA is primarily geared towards Broadway.

Record Keeping for Tax Purposes and Working Out of State

· Keep good records of all expenditures, according to category (i.e. in or

out of town). They must be reported on separate schedules on your tax
returns.
· You must have proofs of expenses; the IRS will not accept estimates or
approximations. Paid receipts, canceled checks, bank and credit card
statements, a detailed diary and other such documentation may be used
as proof.
· When working outside your home state, be sure to keep proofs of your
earnings, per diem, and expenditures in each separate locality.
· When working outside your home state, make sure to check with your
employer regarding the non-resident tax obligations in the state and city
in which you are working.
· Make sure your out-of-state employer has the address at which you can
be reached in January of next year. Ask that complete W-2 forms,
reflecting your non-resident wages and withholdings, be sent to you as
soon as they are available.

Business Expense Deductions

IN-TOWN EXPENSES
In-town expenses are those incurred while you are working or seeking
employment in your home city (aka your tax home).

1. Accompanist/Audition Expense
2. Agent’s/Manager’s Commissions
3. Answering Service
4. Coaching/Lessons for Performance
5. Entertainment for Business
6. Gifts for Business
7. Office Supplies/Stationary/Postage
8. Photos and Resumes
9. Rehearsal clothes & maintenance
10. Sheet music, records, books, tapes
11. Tickets for Professional Research (movie, theater, concert)
12. Trade Publications
13. Transportation Seeking Employment
14. Union Dues/Initiation Fees

OUT-OF-TOWN-EXPENSES
Out-of-town expenses are those incurred while working or seeking
employment away from your tax home. There must be at least one
overnight stay for expenses to qualify as out-of-town.

1. Auto Rental for Business

2. Gasoline/Auto Repairs & Maintenance
3. Laundry and Dry Cleaning
4. Local Transportation
5. Lodging Expenses
6. Meals
7. Telephone Charges
8. Tips and Gratuities
9. Travel
10. Other expenses related to qualifying travel

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