Tax Tips for Artists (Even if You’re Starting in April)

We’ve been sharing a few quick tax tips for artists on our socials and wanted to bring everything together in one place.

If you waited until April… you’re not alone.

If you’re reading this and your receipts are in a pile (or a bag, or multiple bags), take a breath.

A lot of artists work in cycles. When you’re deep in a project, taxes are not the priority. And for many people, a deadline is what actually makes things happen. So if you’re just getting to this now, you’re in good company.

Here’s how to make this year manageable and set yourself up a little better for next time.

Start with what you have

You do not need a perfect system to begin.

Start by gathering:

• invoices, contracts, and payment records
• receipts (physical or digital)
• bank and credit card statements

If something is missing, do your best with what you can access. A reasonable estimate, backed by your records, is often enough.

Focus on the expenses that matter most

You don’t need to track every single dollar to make an impact. Start with the big, obvious categories:

• materials and supplies
• studio or workspace costs
• equipment and software
• marketing and website costs
• travel for exhibitions or performances
• professional services

A simple way to check:
If you needed it to make or share your work, it likely belongs here.

Working from home still counts

If your practice happens at home, you may be able to claim part of your rent, utilities, and internet.

You don’t need a perfect studio setup. A consistent workspace, even a portion of a room, can qualify. You’ll base this on how much space you use and how often you use it.

If your income feels all over the place, that’s normal

Art income is rarely steady. Grants, commissions, gigs, and sales can all land at different times of year. When you’re pulling everything together, expect it to look uneven. That’s part of the process, not a mistake.

Quick win for right now: use your bank statements

If your receipts are incomplete, your bank and credit card statements are your best friend.

Go through them and highlight:

• art-related purchases
• income deposits

This helps you rebuild a clear picture quickly without digging through everything.

Looking ahead (without overhauling your life)

Once you’re through this round, a few small changes can make next year easier:

• take photos of receipts when you get them
• keep a simple running list of income and expenses
• consider using a separate bank account for your practice

Nothing complicated. Just enough to save you time later.

GST/HST: know where you stand

If your income is approaching or over $30,000 in a year, you may need to register for GST/HST.

If you’re not sure, it’s worth checking now rather than later so there are no surprises.

Need a bit of help?

If you’d rather not do this alone, there are a few free and low-cost options:

• Free tax clinics are offered across BC through the Canada Revenue Agency’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
  👉 Find a clinic near you: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax-program.html
• These clinics are hosted by local organizations like community centres, libraries, and nonprofits, and can sometimes help with late filings as well
• You can also search:
  “free tax clinic near me BC” or “CVITP tax clinic [your city]”
  to find options in your area

A note: most free clinics are designed for people with modest incomes and simpler tax situations, so they may not cover all types of self-employment income

If your situation is more complex, working with an accountant familiar with self-employment or arts work can be worth it. There isn’t currently a dedicated, artist-specific tax clinic equivalent to programs like the Artists Legal Outreach Clinic. It’s something many artists are still navigating.

If you’re doing this in April, you’re doing it. That counts. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s getting through it, learning a bit, and making next year easier.

Further resources

• Canada Revenue Agency: Self-employed income guide
  https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed-income.html
• GST/HST overview
  https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/gst-hst-businesses.html
• CARFAC (resources for artists)
  https://carfac.ca
• BC Arts Council
  https://www.bcartscouncil.ca

Written by: Arts BC team

Arts BC is a non-profit connecting arts and cultural workers with tools, resources, and opportunities to support their practice. This article was created by the Arts BC team as part of our ongoing work in arts advocacy and sector support.