Creative & Digital · Brisbane
Accountants for Creatives
Designers, photographers, musicians, writers and artists — lumpy income, expensive gear, royalties and the question of whether the ATO sees a business or a hobby.
When does creative work become a business for tax?
When there's a genuine intention to profit, repetition and commercial character — not just when income appears. It matters because a business can deduct expenses and, subject to the non-commercial loss rules, offset losses against other income (usually needing assessable income of at least $20,000, or profit in three of five years, plus an income requirement under $250,000). Professional artists, performers and writers have specific concessions, and income averaging can smooth tax across good and bad years.
- Specialist support for creative professionals
- Fixed monthly packages from $220
- BAS, payroll and year-end handled together
- Benchmarked against ATO industry figures
What we watch
What matters most for creative professionals.
Business versus hobby
Documented intent, ABN, records and marketing all support business treatment — which is what makes losses and deductions available.
Non-commercial loss rules
Whether this year's loss can offset your salary depends on specific tests. Special rules exist for professional arts income.
Gear and depreciation
Cameras, lenses, instruments and computers with genuine business-use percentages, pooled or written off where eligible.
Royalties and rights
Royalties, licensing and residuals — including foreign withholding — reported correctly, with treaty relief where available.
Deductions
Creatives — what you can claim.
A working checklist we go through with every client in this sector. Substantiation requirements differ by item — we'll tell you which need records and which don't.
- Cameras, instruments, computers and software
- Studio rent or home studio apportionment
- Materials, props, printing and framing
- Travel to shoots, gigs and exhibitions
- Website, portfolio and hosting costs
- Agent commissions and gallery fees
- Professional development and workshops
- Insurance on equipment and public liability
- Marketing, advertising and submission fees
How we help
Services creative professionals use most.
Tax Returns
Individual and business returns prepared accurately, lodged fast, with every deduction claimed.
Learn more →Tax Planning
Year-round planning that lowers your tax bill before 30 June — not after it.
Learn more →Business Accounting
Bookkeeping, BAS, payroll and management reporting handled end to end.
Learn more →Self-Managed Super (SMSF)
SMSF setup, administration, compliance and audit coordination in one place.
Learn more →Business Advisory
Structuring, cash-flow forecasting, growth strategy and succession planning.
Learn more →Financial Reporting
Clear statutory and management accounts you can actually make decisions from.
Learn more →FAQ
Creatives — questions we're asked most.
Can I claim losses from my creative work against my salary?
Only if you pass the non-commercial loss rules — commonly by having at least $20,000 of assessable income from the activity, or profit in three of the last five years, while your other income is under $250,000. Professional artists have specific exceptions. Otherwise losses are deferred and carried forward until the activity produces income.
How is income averaging useful?
Special professionals — artists, performers, writers, inventors and sportspeople — can average income over up to five years, reducing the tax spike from one breakout year. It's a genuine benefit that many creatives never claim because nobody asked whether they qualify.
Can I claim my camera if I also use it personally?
Yes, on the business-use percentage, which you need to be able to support — a shoot diary or usage log is enough. If eligible for an immediate write-off you claim the business portion in the year of purchase; otherwise you depreciate that portion over its effective life.
What about grants and prize money?
It depends. Grants received in the course of carrying on your practice are generally assessable, though some specific arts grants and prizes are treated differently. Bring the grant letter — treatment turns on its terms, not its label.
Related
Related pages.
Accountants for Marketing Agencies
Specialist tax and accounting support for Brisbane marketing agencies.
Learn more →Accountants for Contractors
Specialist tax and accounting support for Brisbane contractors.
Learn more →Accountants for Home Businesses
Specialist tax and accounting support for Brisbane home businesses.
Learn more →Small Business Accountant Brisbane
Sole traders to companies
Learn more →Local coverage across Brisbane
We work in person from our Wakerley office and by secure video across 200 suburbs. Start with your region:
- Accountants Brisbane CPA accountants for the wider Brisbane metro area.
- Accountants South Brisbane South Brisbane, West End, Annerley and Sunnybank.
- Accountants Brisbane Northside Chermside, Stafford, Aspley and the northern corridor.
- Accountants Brisbane Bayside Wynnum, Manly, Wakerley and Tingalpa.
- Accountants Redland City Cleveland, Capalaba, Victoria Point and the bay islands.
- Accountants Logan City Springwood, Beenleigh, Browns Plains and 50 Logan suburbs.
- Accountants Ipswich Ipswich CBD and the western Brisbane corridor.
Ready when you are
Accountants for creatives — let's talk.
Free 15-minute consultation, fixed monthly fee, and an accountant who already knows your sector.