The Write-Offs Every Actor Should Know

The Write-Offs Every Actor Should Know

If you’re an actor, chances are you’re leaving money on the table every single year—and it’s not because you’re not working hard enough. It’s because no one ever taught you how to track your expenses and leverage your business deductions. That changes today.

This blog is here to break down what a tax write-off actually is, how it works, and the most overlooked deductions every working actor should be claiming. And if you're looking for a plug-and-play system to make it all easy, check out the TWAA Actor Financial Toolkit at the end of this post.

What is a Tax Write-Off, Anyway? A tax write-off (also called a deduction) is an expense you’re allowed to subtract from your income to reduce how much tax you owe. The IRS says the expense must be "ordinary and necessary" for your profession. That means anything you regularly and reasonably need to do your job as an actor could qualify.

Why Actors Miss Out Many actors never learn about write-offs. They treat their acting like a hobby instead of a business. But here’s the truth: if you're earning income through acting—even just a few jobs per year—you are a business. And businesses get to write off expenses.

Common Actor Write-Offs You Might Be Missing:

• Self-tape equipment (lighting kits, backdrops, tripods)
• Audition wardrobe (clothes needed to match a specific role type—uniforms, costumes, etc.)
• Acting classes and workshops
• Headshots and portfolio updates
• Travel to auditions (local mileage, parking, tolls)
• Subscriptions (Actors Access, Casting Networks, IMDbPro)
• Agent and manager commissions
• Acting-related software and tools (Zoom Pro for virtual auditions, editing apps)
• Phone and internet (a portion, if used for self-tapes or submitting)
• Coaching and audition prep

The Key is Tracking Everything You can’t write off what you don’t track. That’s why having a simple system to log your expenses throughout the year is essential. Not only will it save you money, it’ll make tax season way less stressful.

Don’t Wait for Tax Season Start now. Track every dollar that goes into your acting career and every dollar that goes out. Make a habit of asking yourself: Was this ordinary and necessary for my work? If the answer is yes, document it.

Want the Full Checklist? Inside the TWAA Actor Financial Toolkit, you’ll get:

• A full write-off checklist tailored for actors
• A monthly income + expense tracker
• A tax prep checklist to stay ready year-round
• Bonus: Money mindset tools to shift how you think about your finances

Final Thoughts: Every dollar counts. When you start treating your acting like a business, you set yourself up for success both creatively and financially. Don't let your hard-earned money go to waste. Use the tools. Claim your write-offs. And take control of your career.

[Grab the toolkit for just $9.97 — TWAA Actor Financial Toolkit]