{"id":5972,"date":"2024-01-22T16:35:26","date_gmt":"2024-01-22T16:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/?p=5972"},"modified":"2024-01-23T09:57:49","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T09:57:49","slug":"tax-returns-for-musicians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Tax Return Guide for Musicians in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a recent survey conducted by Encore Musicians of 300 musicians, it was revealed that 91% of our musicians are registered as self-employed or freelance, however, nearly <strong>a quarter of musicians (24%)<\/strong> expressed a lack of confidence when completing their tax returns. Highlighting the need for extra help, Encore Musicians has created a comprehensive list of commonly asked questions about tax returns for musicians.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The guide aims to address the challenges faced by musicians who may not be confused by the jargon, or the process or not fully aware of all the potential deductions available to them. Nevertheless, like all financial matters, there&#8217;s no universal advice that applies to everyone and you should always consult with an accountant for tailored advice to guarantee compliance.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_57_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\" role=\"button\"><label for=\"item-69efd3b82c94d\" ><span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input aria-label=\"Toggle\" aria-label=\"item-69efd3b82c94d\"  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-69efd3b82c94d\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#How-often-should-I-review-my-music-related-income\" title=\"How often should I review my music-related income?\u00a0\">How often should I review my music-related income?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#What-is-your-Tax-%E2%80%9CSelf-Assessment%E2%80%9D\" title=\"What is your Tax \u201cSelf-Assessment\u201d?\u00a0\">What is your Tax \u201cSelf-Assessment\u201d?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#How-do-I-submit-my-Self-Assessment\" title=\"How do I submit my Self-Assessment?\u00a0\">How do I submit my Self-Assessment?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#What-will-I-need-for-my-Self-Assessment\" title=\"What will I need for my Self-Assessment?\u00a0\">What will I need for my Self-Assessment?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#What-is-an-%E2%80%9Callowable-expense%E2%80%9D\" title=\"What is an \u201callowable expense\u201d?\u00a0\">What is an \u201callowable expense\u201d?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#What-types-of-purchases-count-as-an-%E2%80%98allowable-expense\" title=\"What types of purchases count as an \u2018allowable expense\u2019?\u00a0\">What types of purchases count as an \u2018allowable expense\u2019?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#Is-the-Encore-Service-Fee-an-allowable-expense-How-do-I-include-it-in-my-tax-return\" title=\"Is the Encore Service Fee an allowable expense? How do I include it in my tax return?\u00a0\">Is the Encore Service Fee an allowable expense? How do I include it in my tax return?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#How-accurate-do-the-amounts-in-my-Tax-Return-need-to-be\" title=\"How accurate do the amounts in my Tax Return need to be?\u00a0\">How accurate do the amounts in my Tax Return need to be?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#Whats-the-difference-between-claiming-back-expenses-in-my-self-assessment-and-claiming-back-VAT\" title=\"What\u2019s the difference between claiming back expenses in my self-assessment and claiming back VAT?\u00a0\">What\u2019s the difference between claiming back expenses in my self-assessment and claiming back VAT?\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#Where-can-I-find-out-more-about-VAT\" title=\"Where can I find out more about VAT?\">Where can I find out more about VAT?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#Its-important-to-remember\" title=\"It&#8217;s important to remember:\">It&#8217;s important to remember:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/#Some-handy-resources\" title=\"Some handy resources\u00a0\">Some handy resources\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-often-should-I-review-my-music-related-income\"><\/span><b>How often should I review my music-related income?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img data-attachment-id=\"5969\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=5969\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?fit=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,768\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"How often musicians review their music-related income\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?fit=770%2C578&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5969 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?resize=770%2C578&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"how often musicians review their music related income and online tax returns\" width=\"770\" height=\"578\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?resize=370%2C278&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?resize=270%2C203&amp;ssl=1 270w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?resize=570%2C428&amp;ssl=1 570w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?resize=740%2C555&amp;ssl=1 740w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?resize=80%2C60&amp;ssl=1 80w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-often-musicians-review-their-music-related-income.png?resize=267%2C200&amp;ssl=1 267w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our research shows that 9% of musicians never check their financial statements<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for earnings related to their music, while 26% only do so annually.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s recommended that you aim to review your financial records on a weekly or monthly basis to stay on top of receipts and invoices and ensure nothing slips through the cracks. Although it may seem burdensome initially, it will save you considerable time during tax return season and reduce the stress of trying to find everything last minute.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the frequency of these reviews will also depend on the number of performances you have. If you only have a few gigs a year, an annual review should suffice.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-is-your-Tax-%E2%80%9CSelf-Assessment%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><b>What is your Tax \u201cSelf-Assessment\u201d?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the UK, if you\u2019re a self-employed Musician, once a year you\u2019ll need to settle your taxes with HMRC in a process called Self-Assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This includes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Completing your tax return and detailing your taxable income and expenses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paying the calculated tax and filing the tax return by 31st January.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-do-I-submit-my-Self-Assessment\"><\/span><b>How do I submit my Self-Assessment?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your tax return needs to be submitted through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/browse\/tax\/self-assessment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the HMRC online portal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and paid by 31st January. There is no fee for filing through the official HMRC website, so avoid unofficial sites that charge you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll be taken through a number of questions about your income and expenses before it shows you your tax calculation. Finally, you\u2019ll have the option to submit your return and pay your tax.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need to dash in the middle of your tax return?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Don\u2019t worry, you can save your return at any point and return to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-will-I-need-for-my-Self-Assessment\"><\/span><b>What will I need for my Self-Assessment?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll want to dig out your financial records for the period 6th April 2021 to 5th April 2022, plus your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), National Insurance number, records of expenses, contributions to charity or pensions, and any records showing income you\u2019ve already paid tax on (part-time work pay-slips etc).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re submitting the Encore Service Fee as an expense, you can gather invoices from your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/dashboard\/payments\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Payment Dashboard<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (desktop only).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-attachment-id=\"5975\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/tax-returns-for-musicians\/closeupguitar\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?fit=2250%2C1500&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2250,1500\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"closeupguitar\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?fit=770%2C514&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5975 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?resize=770%2C514&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"guitarist doing tax\" width=\"770\" height=\"514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?resize=370%2C247&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&amp;ssl=1 270w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?resize=570%2C380&amp;ssl=1 570w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/closeupguitar.jpeg?resize=740%2C493&amp;ssl=1 740w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-is-an-%E2%80%9Callowable-expense%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><b>What is an \u201callowable expense\u201d?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re self-employed or part of a company, you can include \u201callowable expenses\u201d in tax returns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allowable expenses are essential business costs that are not taxable. Allowable expenses aren\u2019t considered part of a company\u2019s taxable profits, so you don\u2019t pay tax on these expenses. These are expenses that were incurred <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exclusively<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wholly <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in running your business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, a musician has earned \u00a315,000 for gigs this tax year. They spend \u00a33,000 on allowable expenses like travel, accommodation when staying away for gigs and the Encore Service Fee. They only pay tax on the remaining \u00a312,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most small businesses can claim tax relief on allowable expenses, but there are exceptions. If a company benefits from the \u00a31,000 tax-free \u2018trading allowance\u2019, they can\u2019t claim additional allowable expenses. Also, limited companies have specific rules for allowable expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/musiciansunion.org.uk\/finance-and-tax\/tax-and-accounting\/claiming-expenses\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this guide to Claiming Expenses as a Freelance Musician<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the Musicians\u2019 Union.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-types-of-purchases-count-as-an-%E2%80%98allowable-expense\"><\/span><b>What types of purchases count as an \u2018allowable expense\u2019?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the key challenges regarding musician tax returns highlighted in our survey, <strong>half of our musicians (48%)<\/strong> identified <strong>expenses as the biggest hurdle<\/strong>\u00a0when completing their tax returns, with <strong>deductions<\/strong> following closely at<strong> 29%.<\/strong> In response to these findings, Encore has compiled a detailed list of top unexpected allowable expenses to empower musicians in claiming what they might not be aware of.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below are some of the top allowable expenses that you might not be aware of:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Repairs and maintenance of instruments and equipment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Expenses including replacing strings, fixing broken drumsticks, tuning pianos, software upgrades, etc. may be eligible.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Music software and subscriptions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Scores, notation software, and even online training platforms related to your performance skills are fair game.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Instrument cases and stands:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sturdy cases and stands protect your valuable instruments and are considered business expenses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Streaming equipment: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Webcams, microphones, and lighting setups used for online performances or streaming music lessons can be claimed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Home studio equipment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Soundproofing materials, mixing desks, microphones, and even studio furniture for dedicated workspaces are potentially deductible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Learning and development: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Workshops, masterclasses, and even specialised courses related to your musical or performance skills are deductible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Instrument insurance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protecting your musical tools is crucial, and insurance premiums are often allowed as business expenses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Phone and internet bills:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you use your phone and internet primarily for work-related communication and promotions, a portion of the bills might be deductible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Subscription boxes and online tools:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Services like sheet music delivery subscriptions, online booking platforms, or music marketing tools can qualify under certain circumstances.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Wigs and accessories: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For actors, pantomime dames, and anyone with outlandish stage personas, wigs, costumes, and special accessories can be claimed if they&#8217;re solely for professional use.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hairdressing and makeup: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Theatrical make-up, wigs, and even specific hairstyles for gigs or productions are deductible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mileage and travel:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Car expenses, public transport fares, and even bike mileage for gigs and rehearsals are all claimable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Musician earplugs and hearing protection:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Maintaining hearing health is crucial and considered deductible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Professional development memberships:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Joining organisations like PRS for Music or Musicians&#8217; Union.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Professional photography and videography: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creating promotional materials for your music career.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This list is not exhaustive and which of these expenses are tax-deductible will be down to your specific circumstances and whether you are self-employed, employed or both. Please speak to an accountant or financial professional to ensure compliance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is-the-Encore-Service-Fee-an-allowable-expense-How-do-I-include-it-in-my-tax-return\"><\/span><b>Is the Encore Service Fee an allowable expense? How do I include it in my tax return?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes! \ud83c\udf89<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Encore Service Fee is an allowable expense, because it is incurred wholly and exclusively in running your business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To work out how much you spent on Encore Service Fees in the tax year, head to your Payment Dashboard (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/dashboard\/payments\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) on a desktop and find the bookings that were booked (not performed) during that period. On them, you\u2019ll see \u2018Service Fee Invoice\u2019. Click that to see how much you spent, which you can add to the total expenses claimed in your Self-Assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-accurate-do-the-amounts-in-my-Tax-Return-need-to-be\"><\/span><b>How accurate do the amounts in my Tax Return need to be?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Very.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HMRC will initially check for obvious errors, but they also do a lot of random enquiries (investigations) each year. If they make a further enquiry with you, the inspector won\u2019t tell you whether yours is random or an investigation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you get selected for an enquiry, you\u2019ll need to provide extensive evidence and documentation, as well as answer a lot of questions about your expenses. Make sure they check out. If your return isn\u2019t calculated correctly, you\u2019ll get hit with some hefty penalties or interest on your payments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping all your payment records in one place will make the process so much quicker and easier every year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out the Musicians\u2019 Union\u2019s advice on Tax Return Enquiries <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/musiciansunion.org.uk\/legal-money\/finance-and-tax\/tax-advice-and-guidance-for-musicians\/tax-returns-and-enquiries\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats-the-difference-between-claiming-back-expenses-in-my-self-assessment-and-claiming-back-VAT\"><\/span><b>What\u2019s the difference between claiming back expenses in my self-assessment and claiming back VAT?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VAT is a separate tax (with its own separate rules) to the tax you pay through self-assessment.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re running a business through self-employment, you must always ensure you\u2019re paying your income tax and any national insurance due through self-assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much income tax you pay through self-assessment depends on how much you\u2019ve earned and how much goes through allowable business expenses during the tax year (such as the Encore Service Fee).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re turning over less than \u00a385,000 a year, you also do not have to register for VAT, unless you choose to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are VAT registered, you can claim back VAT on business costs, but you must also charge VAT to all your clients. The difference between what you collect and pay in VAT should either be paid to or reclaimed from HMRC, usually every 3 months.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where-can-I-find-out-more-about-VAT\"><\/span><b>Where can I find out more about VAT?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out our guide to VAT registration here, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/how-vat-works\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HMRC\u2019s website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is always a great place for up to date information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out the government\u2019s article on claiming back self-employed expenses <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/expenses-if-youre-self-employed\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and their article on reclaiming VAT <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/reclaim-vat\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-attachment-id=\"3747\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/top-10-harp-wedding-songs\/screen-shot-2021-03-24-at-12-02-48\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?fit=1384%2C758&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1384,758\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2021-03-24 at 12.02.48\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?fit=300%2C164&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?fit=770%2C422&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3747 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?resize=770%2C422&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"harpist doing tax return \" width=\"770\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?resize=1024%2C561&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?resize=300%2C164&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?resize=768%2C421&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?resize=370%2C203&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?resize=270%2C148&amp;ssl=1 270w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?resize=570%2C312&amp;ssl=1 570w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?resize=740%2C405&amp;ssl=1 740w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?resize=360%2C197&amp;ssl=1 360w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/encoremusicians.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-24-at-12.02.48.png?w=1384&amp;ssl=1 1384w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Its-important-to-remember\"><\/span><b>It&#8217;s important to remember:<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only claim legitimate and reasonable business expenses directly related to your music career.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep all receipts, invoices, and bank statements as proof of your claims.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider seeking professional advice from an accountant or tax advisor familiar with your industry\u2019s taxation to maximise your claims and ensure compliance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The specific items you can claim may differ depending on whether you are employed or self-employed or both. Consult HMRC&#8217;s guidance for detailed information.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tax laws change, so keep informed and adjust your deductions accordingly.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submit your tax return by 31st January to avoid any penalties! Even if you miss the deadline by one day, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/self-assessment-appeal-against-penalties-for-late-filing-and-late-payment-sa370\/self-assessment-how-to-appeal-against-penalties-for-late-filing-and-late-payment#:~:text=If%20you%20do%20not%20send,you%20owe%20and%20any%20penalties.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you will be required to pay a \u00a3100 fine.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some-handy-resources\"><\/span><b>Some handy resources\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is a list of recommended articles around Tax Returns, Being a Self-Employed Musician and VAT:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/help.encoremusicians.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/4486612612625-VAT-What-s-the-deal-\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encore \u2013 VAT: What\u2019s The Deal?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An article on the pros and cons of being a VAT-registered Musician on Encore<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/musiciansunion.org.uk\/legal-money\/finance-and-tax\/tax-advice-and-guidance-for-musicians\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Musicians\u2019 Union \u2013 Tax Advice and Guidance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The MU\u2019s Advice Centre for self-employed Musicians<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/charge-reclaim-record-vat\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GOV.UK \u2013 Charge, reclaim and record VAT<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Government\u2019s official help centre for VAT-registered businesses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@HMRCgovuk\/playlists?view=50&amp;sort=dd&amp;shelf_id=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HMRC \u2013 Self-Assessment Help Videos<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A library of videos from HMRC to walk you through the self-assessment process<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a recent survey conducted by Encore Musicians of 300 musicians, it was revealed that 91% of our musicians are registered as self-employed or freelance, however, nearly a quarter of musicians (24%) expressed a lack of confidence when completing their tax returns. Highlighting the need for extra help, Encore Musicians has created a comprehensive list [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":5973,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[222],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Ultimate Tax Return Guide for Musicians in 2024 | Encore Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This comprehensive guide is packed with helpful tips specifically tailored for musicians who need assistance with filing their tax returns.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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