Beat sales, production fees, and royalties are taxable income, and your studio and software are deductible.
Music producers report on Schedule C, earning from beat licensing and sales, work-for-hire production, mixing and mastering fees, and royalty splits.
The plugins, hardware, and studio space behind each track are ordinary business expenses, and royalty income may keep arriving long after a project ships.
Income you’ll report on: 1099-NEC, 1099-K.
Most people in this line of work leave money on the table. Here's what we make sure to capture:
If you earn as an independent contractor, yes — self-employment tax is 15.3% (Social Security and Medicare) on your net profit, on top of regular income tax. You deduct half of it, and every business deduction lowers what you owe. We handle the calculation on Schedule SE.
Common write-offs include studio monitors, interfaces, and outboard gear, digital audio workstation and plugin licenses, sample packs and sound libraries, acoustic treatment for the studio space, plus a share of your phone and any home-office use. We go through your year line by line so nothing legitimate gets missed.
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year, the IRS generally wants quarterly estimated payments to avoid an underpayment penalty. We calculate them so next April isn't a surprise.
Yes. Your income is taxable whether or not a client or platform sent a 1099. We report it correctly and offset it with every deduction you qualify for.
Tell us what you've got and we'll come back within one business day with the plan and the price · from a preparer who knows your line of work.
Tell us what you’ve got