The Ultimate Guide to Deductible Acting Expenses

From Headshots to Audition Travel—What You Can (and Can’t) Write Off

If you're an actor filing taxes, you might be wondering: Can I deduct my headshots? What about coaching? And… therapy for leaving a role that wrecked me emotionally?

Let’s get into it. As an actor, your career is your business. That means certain costs associated with maintaining and advancing your acting career may be tax deductible—but only if you’re considered self-employed (receiving 1099 income). If you’re only paid through W-2s, unfortunately, employee expenses are no longer deductible under current tax law.

Below is your go-to guide to what can and can’t typically be deducted.

1. Continuing Education

Acting is a craft, and the IRS gets that. You can deduct:

• Acting, voice, or dance lessons

• Coaching for auditions

• Rehearsal hall rentals

• Special skill training (like fight choreography or dialect coaching)

• Research (tickets to plays, subscriptions, film study)

Can’t Deduct: Education unrelated to your current acting work or career path.

2. Promotional & Marketing Tools

Investing in your visibility is essential.

• Headshots and professional photo sessions

• Demo reel editing

• Business cards and website hosting

• Casting platform subscriptions (like Casting Networks or Backstage)

• Printing scripts or audition materials

3. Travel for Work

You can deduct travel—but only when it’s work-related:

• Miles driven for auditions, acting classes, or set work (keep a mileage log!)

• Lodging, parking, and ride share costs while on a job

• Meals while traveling (50% deductible)

• Wifi and phone usage while working
  

Can’t Deduct: Costs that's reimbursed to you.

4. Supplies & Miscellaneous Expenses

This one’s big and often overlooked:

• Wardrobe (specific to a role, not everyday clothes)

• Props for self-tapes

• Makeup and hair specifically for jobs or tapings

• Business meals and meetings

• Office supplies, printers, binders

• Therapy to process roles (yes, if it’s clearly connected to your acting work and not personal care)

Note: Therapy is a gray area—if it's tied to the emotional labor of your role (and you can document that connection), it may qualify. Talk to a tax pro (me!) on this one.

5. Home Office or Studio

If you tape from home, use a home studio, or edit your own work:

• A portion of your rent, utilities, internet

• Studio lighting, backdrops, ring lights

• Pro editing software

Only if you use a specific space exclusively and regularly for your acting business.

6. Equipment

• Cameras, tripods, microphones

• Phones used for work (portion only)

• Laptops and editing equipment

• Musical instruments (if used for auditions or roles)

7. Vehicle Use

• Mileage for business trips (auditions, meetings, shoots)

• Parking, tolls, and car expenses (tracked and documented)

Pro Tips for Actors Filing Taxes:

• Keep receipts. Digital or physical—just stay organized.

• Track your miles. Use apps like MileIQ, a simple spreadsheet or old school notebook and pen.

• Log your expenses weekly or monthly—waiting until April is a guaranteed stress fest.

• Use a separate bank account for acting income and expenses if possible.

Final Thoughts

Acting is emotional work, physical work, and actual work. Treat it like a business, and you’ll be better prepared to maximize your deductions, reduce stress during tax time, and take your career seriously.

And if all this feels overwhelming? That’s where I come in. I help actors take the guesswork out of taxes. Book a 1:1 session and let’s talk through your unique situation—so you can focus on your craft, not your calculator.

Want the full deduction checklist? [Download your free copy here from Square 1 Accounting for Actors.]