Being a Starving Artist
As a performing artist, you could deduct business expenses related to your work even if you won’t itemize. It’s not all as easy as it sounds, though, as there are tremendous restrictions you need to keep in mind before you even attempt to do this.
First, your expenses need to be at least 10% of what you make as a performer, and you actually need at least two employers. This means that gig work doesn’t count! Each employer has to pay you at least $200.
If your adjusted gross income is over $16,000 then tough luck, you can’t deduct your expenses. The number is so low because the value was decided in 1986. Since then, it has never been adjusted for inflation…
