What's a qualifying performing artist?

by TurboTax •   63
Updated January 22, 2026 1:43 PM

You’re a qualified performing artist if you meet all of the following requirements:

  • Performed services in the performing arts as an employee for at least two employers during the tax year

  • Received wages of $200 or more from at least two of those employers

  • Had allowable business expenses attributable to the performing arts of more than 10% of gross income from the performing arts

  • Had an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $16,000 or less before deducting expenses as a performing artist

    • If you’re Married Filing Jointly, this is the combined AGI of both you and your spouse.

If you’re married, you must file a joint return unless you lived apart from your spouse for all of the tax year.

You don’t need to itemize your deductions for your performing-arts-related business expenses to be deductible.

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