Gig fees, streaming royalties, and merch sales are taxable income, and your instruments and travel are deductible.
Working musicians usually operate as independent contractors reporting on Schedule C, with income from live gigs, streaming royalties, sync placements, teaching, and merch.
Instruments, travel between venues, and promotion are ordinary expenses, and accurate mileage and gig logs make them easy to substantiate.
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 instruments, cases, and repairs, strings, reeds, and other consumable supplies, mileage and travel to gigs and tours, stage clothing not suitable for everyday wear, 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