Creative Tax Deductions: What Influencers, Performers & Creators Can Claim

“Creative Deductions: How to Maximise Tax Relief on Your Media & Entertainment Income”

If you’re a creator, performer, or influencer, you know the hustle is real — juggling multiple revenue streams, irregular payments, and constant pressure to stay on top of content. But here’s the kicker: you could be missing out on significant tax relief by not claiming all the expenses you’re entitled to.

In this final instalment of the Tax Survival Series, we’re diving into creative deductions. These are the costs you can offset against your income, lowering your taxable profits and ultimately reducing the tax you owe.

What Can Creatives Claim as Business Expenses?

It’s easy to think of the obvious things — but creatives are eligible for a lot more than you might realise. Here’s a breakdown of the most common expenses:

• Home Office Costs
  Working from home? You can claim a proportion of your rent, utilities, and internet costs, as well as the cost of equipment (e.g. computers, printers, lighting).
• Studio Hire & Equipment
  Whether it’s for video shoots, photography, or podcasting, you can deduct the cost of renting studio space, sound tech, cameras, mics, lighting, and editing tools (e.g. Adobe, Final Cut Pro).
• Software & Subscriptions
  Any software that’s essential to your work can be claimed. That includes anything from design programs to music production software.
• Travel
  If you’re attending gigs, events, or client meetings, you can claim your travel costs, including fuel, train tickets, taxis, or even car hire. Just make sure you’re not mixing business and personal travel.
• Marketing & PR
  Any costs related to getting your name out there are deductible. This could include social media advertising, PR agency fees, and website costs.
• Agency & Management Fees
  If you work with an agent or manager, their fees are considered a business expense and can be deducted from your taxable income.
• Props, Wardrobe, and Makeup
  If these are essential for your performances or content creation (e.g. costumes, makeup, props for filming), they can be claimed.

Always keep receipts and document the reason for each purchase. The clearer your records, the less chance HMRC has of challenging your claims.

Claiming for PR Gifts, Samples, and Freebies

Many creators receive PR gifts or products in exchange for posts or social media mentions. But did you know that HMRC could see those gifts as taxable income?

If you’re receiving products for exposure — even if you’re not paid in cash — you’ll need to declare them. The market value of the gift becomes part of your taxable income. This applies across platforms: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, podcast sponsorships, or anything where a product is exchanged for influence.

But don’t panic — you can still offset the VAT if you’re VAT registered, which could reduce your overall tax burden. The key is accurate reporting and proper record-keeping.

Keep Personal and Business Finances Separate

It can be tempting to pay for personal items with your business card or throw everything into one pot. But to keep compliant you need to separate your personal and business finances:

• Set up a separate account for your creative income and expenses.
• Make sure each expense is clearly linked to your business activities.
• Always collect and store receipts and use software to log everything.

Why? If HMRC audits you (and they do), clear records can be the difference between paying a fine or getting away with a reduced tax bill.

Don’t Forget About Capital Allowances

Big purchases for your business? There’s something called Capital Allowances that can help you claim tax relief on items like:

• Cameras, microphones, and other tech
• Laptops and computers
• Office furniture

Capital allowances allow you to write off the value of these items over time, meaning you can reduce your tax bill in the year you buy them.

Maximise Your Tax-Free Allowances

As a self-employed creative, you’re entitled to the Personal Allowance (the amount you can earn tax-free). But there’s more — there’s also the Trading Allowance, which means you can earn up to £1,000 in business income without paying tax. It might not sound like much, but for side hustlers, podcast creators, or new businesses, it can be a helpful buffer.

Other Tax Reliefs Creatives Should Know About

Creatives often work across different disciplines, and some projects may qualify for sector-specific tax reliefs, including Creative Industry Tax Reliefs which are available to qualifying companies working in:

• Film production
• High-end television
• Children’s TV
• Animation
• Video games
• Theatre, orchestras or museums/galleries

Even if you’re not producing the work yourself, if you’re contracted by a company that is — understanding this can help you negotiate rates and understand where tax efficiencies are built in.

Tax Doesn’t Have to Be Scary — Get Ahead of the Game

Navigating the tax system can be intimidating, especially if you’re just starting out. But with the right knowledge and habits, you can turn your tax obligations into an advantage.

As a creator, performer, or influencer, you’re running a business — and that means understanding the numbers behind it. By maximising your allowable expenses, registering for VAT strategically, and keeping good records, you can reduce your tax liability and put yourself in a better financial position for the long term. Remember, the earlier you start thinking about tax, the easier it is to get ahead of the game.