Tax for musicians

Gigs, sessions, teaching, streaming — a musician's income tends to come from lots of little places. Here's how the tax side works, and the costs you can claim against it.

Most working musicians are self-employed for their gig and session work, even if they also have an employed job (like a teaching post or an orchestra contract) that's already taxed through PAYE. If your self-employed earnings top £1,000 in the year, you'll need to file a return for that side.

Costs you can usually claim

• Instruments and equipment — amps, PA, mics, recording gear (usually via capital allowances) — plus repairs, strings, reeds and consumables.
• Travel to gigs, rehearsals and sessions — mileage at 55p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p after, or your actual costs; plus accommodation when you're away on tour.
• Agent, management and commission fees.
• Promotion — your website, photos, artwork, ads and distribution costs.
• Subscriptions and memberships — Musicians' Union, software, and the like.
• Working from home — a share of your bills for practising, admin and home recording.
• Stage costumes — outfits that are genuinely costumes or uniform. Everyday clothes you could wear off stage don't count.

Making Tax Digital

If your combined self-employment and property income is above the thresholds, you'll fall into Making Tax Digital as it rolls out from April 2026 — quarterly digital updates instead of one return. We'll keep the records and file them so you can keep playing.

This guide is general information, not personal tax advice. Rates and allowances can change at each Budget — always confirm the current figures on GOV.UK or ask us to check your situation.