BAS and bookkeeping for musicians and performers, without the Sunday-night spreadsheet
A performer’s income arrives in every shape there is: a venue paying by transfer a month after the gig, a wedding paid in cash on the night, APRA royalties twice a year, streaming royalties from an overseas distributor in US dollars, teaching fees from a dozen students, and a festival that issues its own tax invoice on your behalf. Spending is instruments and gear, strings and reeds, rehearsal room hire, a manager’s commission, flights and fuel to shows, recording costs and stage clothes.
FlowFi reads the statement, categorises every line, works out which purchases carry GST and which income is GST-free (overseas royalties usually are), and prepares the BAS if you are registered. Cash gigs go in with a tap so the income is complete.
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
What FlowFi does for musicians and performers
Sorts gig fees, royalties and teaching income
Venue payments, APRA and distributor royalties, teaching fees and merch sales are recognised as income and kept apart by type.
Flags instruments and gear as equipment
A new guitar, PA or laptop is flagged so you can decide with your accountant whether to write it off in the year or depreciate it.
Tracks travel to gigs and tours
Log the drive to each show and FlowFi applies the ATO cents-per-kilometre rate; flights and accommodation on tour are categorised from the statement.
Checks GST on overseas platforms
Distributor fees, plugin subscriptions and overseas streaming platforms are flagged so you only claim GST that was actually charged.
Prepares the BAS from your statement
Upload the quarter, review the pre-filled figures and copy them into ATO Online.
How it works
Upload your bank statement
Export a CSV or PDF from your bank (CBA, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, Macquarie and most others) and drop it into FlowFi. No bank login, ever.
AI sorts every transaction
Income, expenses, equipment and transfers are categorised, GST is worked out on each line and likely deductions are flagged for you to confirm.
Review and lodge your BAS
Check the pre-filled labels, copy them into ATO Online in about five minutes, or export the pack for your accountant. FlowFi does not lodge for you.
Common deductions for musicians and performers
Expenses musicians and performers often claim. FlowFi flags these categories as they appear in your statement so you can confirm each one.
- Instruments, amps, PA, DJ gear, computers and software, written off or depreciated on the business-use portion
- Strings, reeds, sticks, cables, repairs, setups and instrument insurance
- Rehearsal and studio hire, recording, mixing, mastering and distribution fees
- Agent and manager commission, booking platform fees and APRA or union membership
- Travel to gigs: car costs between venues, flights, accommodation and meals when touring overnight
- Stage costumes and performance clothing that is not ordinary streetwear, plus stage makeup
- Lessons, masterclasses and coaching that maintain or improve your current skills
- Promotion: website, photos, videos, merch stock and social media advertising
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
Email me the quarterly BAS checklist
The checklist now, then a few short notes on getting your BAS done. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Pricing
Flat monthly pricing. No percentage of your income, no lock-in, cancel any time. Every account starts with 14 days of Pro free, no card needed.
Pro
or $290 a year (two months free). 14-day free trial, no card.
- Unlimited transactions and uploads
- Unlimited invoices with automatic reminders
- Full AI categorisation and deduction flags
- BAS preparation with a copy-guide for ATO Online
- Receipt scanning, mileage and cash-flow forecast
- One-click accountant export
Business
or $590 a year (two months free). For anyone with a bookkeeper or partner in the books.
- Everything in Pro
- Unlimited bank accounts
- Up to 5 users with role-based access
- Advanced AI insights
- AI support and API access
Questions musicians and performers ask
Are streaming royalties from overseas subject to GST?
Royalties paid by an overseas distributor or platform for use outside Australia are generally GST-free exports, so they go in G1 but add nothing to 1A. Gig fees, teaching and merch sold in Australia are taxable once you are registered. Keep the distributor statements as evidence.
Can I average my income over several years?
Performing artists, composers and some other creative professionals can use the ATO’s income averaging for special professionals, which can reduce tax in a year of unusually high income. It applies once professional income passes a small threshold and has its own rules, so raise it with your accountant.
Are my stage clothes deductible?
Costumes and performance clothing that you would not wear in the street are deductible, as is stage makeup. Ordinary black clothes worn on stage are not, even if you only wear them to perform. See our guide on uniforms and protective clothing.
Is my music a hobby or a business?
If you gig regularly, charge properly, promote yourself and intend to make money, it is a business, and the income is assessable even in a loss year. Occasional paid gigs with no plan to profit may be a hobby, with no income declared and no expenses claimed. See our hobby vs business guide.
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
Keep reading
FlowFi for related trades
Books done between the soundcheck and the set
Upload one bank statement and see gig fees, royalties, gear, travel and GST already categorised.
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