Tax Check List for Actors, Acting Courses Classes Become an Actor

Tax Check List !

Agents fees
You can claim a deduction for commission paid to agents or managers.This also includes other agency payments incurred on your behalf e.g.couriers, postage, web site etc.You cannot claim a deduction for up-front or joining fees.

Audition expenses
You cannot claim a deduction for the cost of preparing for or attending auditions as they are incurred in getting work rather than doing work.

Bank fees
You can claim a deduction for Financial Institutions Duty that relates to the direct depositing of salary,wages, allowances or payments into your bank account. You can claim a deduction for government duties tax or debits tax charged on any outgoing from your account where the outgoing can be claimed as a deduction – e..g.work related expenses.

Capital allowances
(previously known as depreciation)
You can claim a deduction – called a capital allowance – for the decline in value of equipment used for work – eg.CD player etc.If the equipment is also used for private purposes,you cannot claim a deduction for that part of a decline in value.

Clothing and costumes
You can claim a deduction for the cost of conventional clothing bought or hired as a costume for a role.You can also claim a deduction for the cost of buying or hiring costumes.You can claim a deduction for the cost of special tights and pumps worn by dancers etc.

Coaching classes – e..g.acting,
modeling,dancing
You can claim a deduction if the classes are taken to maintain existing specific skills to obtain work.You can claim a deduction for the cost of lessons to acquire specific skills for use in a particular role or performance.

Course costs
You can claim a deduction for the cost of self-education expenses if there is a direct connection between your self-education and your work activities.

Equipment costing $300 or less
If you purchase equipment costing $300 or less and you use it mainly for work,you can claim an immediate deduction for the work related portion of the cost

Fitness expenses
You can claim a deduction for fitness expenses if you are required to maintain a very high level of fitness and physical activity is an essential element in your work. You cannot claim a deduction for the cost of maintaining general fitness or body shape.

Glasses and contact lenses
You can claim a deduction if lenses are required to alter eye colour for a required role.You cannot claim a deduction for prescription glasses or contact lenses.

Grooming
You can claim a deduction for a particular hairstyle if it is required for a role.You can claim a deduction for the cost of hairdressing specifically to maintain a required hair length or style as part of a costume for continuity purposes. You can claim a deduction for the cost of stage make-up, including the cost of cleansing materials for removing stage makeup.You cannot claim a deduction for the cost of general hairdressing,makeup or facials.

Home office or studio
You can claim a deduction for the additional running expenses associated with a private study or studio that you use for income-production activities – e..g.additional lighting,heating and cooling costs incurred by a performing artist rehearsing in a studio at home.You can keep a diary to work out what part of your running expenses comes from doing work in your private study or studio.Running expenses do not include occupancy expenses – e..g. mortgage interest.

Insurance of equipment
You can claim a deduction for the cost of insuring the equipment you use to the extent that you use it for work.

Interest costs
You can claim the cost of interest on money borrowed to purchase work related equipment.If the equipment was also used for private purposes,you cannot claim a deduction for that part of the interest.

Laundry and dry cleaning
If you can claim a deduction for your work clothes,you can also claim a deduction for cleaning them.You can claim laundry expenses for washing,drying or ironing such work clothes,including Laundromat expenses

Union and professional association fees
You can claim a deduction for these fees.If the amount you paid was shown on your payment summary,you can use it to prove your claim.

Photographs
You can claim a deduction for the cost of maintaining a photographic portfolio for publicity purposes. You cannot claim a deduction for the initial cost of preparing the portfolio.

Tax Check List Continued!

Repairs
You can claim a deduction for the cost of repairing tools and equipment used for work.If the equipment were also used for private purpose,you cannot claim a deduction for that part of the repair cost.

Research expenses
You can claim a deduction for the cost of researching a role or character that you have been employed to play – e..g.the cost of reference material containing information on a character,era or event.

Seminars,conferences and training courses.
You can claim a deduction for the cost of attending seminars,conferences and training courses that are sufficiently connected to your work activities.

Social functions
You cannot claim a deduction for the cost of attending award nights or other social events,even if there is an entertainment industry connection,as it is a private expense.

Sunscreen,sun hat and sunglasses
If you are required to substantially work outdoors in the direct sun,you may claim these protective items.

Tapes,compact discs and cassettes
You can claim a deduction for the work related part of the cost of audio,videotapes and compact discs – e..g. CDs used for rehearsal.

Tax return preparation fee
Fees charged by a registered tax agent for the preparation of income tax returns are deductible.

Technical or professional publications
You can claim a deduction for the cost of journals, periodicals and magazines that have a content specifically related to your employment as performing artist/actor/model – e..g.the magazine Encore.

Telephone calls,telephone rental and
connection costs
You can claim a deduction for the cost of work related telephone calls. You can claim a deduction for your telephone rental. If you also use your telephone for private purposes,you must apportion the cost of telephone rental between work related and private use.

Theatre and film tickets
You can claim a deduction for the cost of theatre and film tickets if the show has a content directly related to your current work.You cannot claim the cost of tickets for shows you attend for general interest,entertainment or other private purposes.

Travel and car expenses
You can claim a deduction for the cost of using your car for work related travel where:

•You travel for work related purposes from your normal workplace to an alternative workplace and back to your normal workplace or directly home – e..g.if you need to travel from your normal job to a performance venue or casting. You can claim a deduction for the cost or using your car to travel between home and work where:

•You have to carry bulky tools or equipment that you use for work – e..g.large wardrobe and there is no secure area for storing them at work.You cannot claim a deduction for car expenses just because the items are valuable.

•Your home is a base of employment – you start your work at home and travel to a workplace to continue the work.

•You travel from your home to an alternative workplace for work activities and then to your normal workplace or directly home – e..g.if you have to travel from home to a country performance venue.

You cannot claim a deduction for the cost of using your car to travel between your home and work if the travel is a normal trip between your home and your workplace. It is a private expense even if you do small tasks on your way to or from work – e..g.picking up scripts.

If you have been paid a per diem that is less than the amount that you have actually spent,you can claim the difference.