Actor's Tax Prep
A tax preparation service built exclusively for actors and performing artists
Overview
Actor's Tax Prep is a specialized tax preparation service that works exclusively with actors and performing artists. Their preparers have deep expertise in entertainment industry tax law, including the qualified performing artist deduction, multi-state filing, and residual income reporting.
The service handles everything from simple single-state returns to complex filings involving multiple states, loan-out companies, and international income. They are familiar with every common actor deduction and proactively look for savings opportunities.
How It Works
Because they work exclusively with actors, the team at Actor's Tax Prep understands nuances that general accountants often miss, such as the tax treatment of union dues, self-tape equipment, coaching sessions, and industry networking events.
Fees start at approximately $300 and increase based on complexity. While this is more expensive than consumer software, the specialized knowledge and personalized attention often result in significantly larger refunds or lower tax bills.
Who Uses It
The top choice for actors who want a tax preparer that truly understands their profession. Schedule a consultation early in tax season, and maintain organized records of all income and expenses throughout the year for the smoothest experience. Actor's Tax Prep reports that over 95 percent of their clients pay less in taxes during their first year working with the firm compared to what they paid previously, which speaks to the value of specialized knowledge in maximizing entertainment industry deductions. The firm operates out of Burbank, California, positioning it in the heart of the entertainment industry where most of their clients work.
Pricing & Plans
Actor's Tax Prep charges fees starting at approximately $300 for a straightforward single-state return with standard acting income and deductions, with prices increasing based on the number of states filed, whether you have a loan-out corporation, and the overall complexity of your financial situation. Complex returns involving four or more states, significant residual income, and business entity management can run $500 to $800 or more, placing the service in the mid-to-upper range for specialized entertainment tax preparation. The firm offers free initial consultations, which allows you to discuss your tax situation and get a fee estimate before committing, a transparency that many competing firms do not provide. Compared to consumer tax software at $130 to $180, Actor's Tax Prep costs significantly more, but the personalized service and industry expertise typically generate savings that offset the higher fee through maximized deductions and proper income allocation. Year-round consultation is generally included in the preparation fee, meaning you can contact them with questions about estimated quarterly payments or mid-year tax planning without incurring additional charges. For actors considering the cost, the national average for CPA-prepared individual returns is approximately $250 to $400 for moderate complexity, making Actor's Tax Prep's pricing competitive within the specialist category while being a premium over generalist services.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The defining strength of Actor's Tax Prep is their exclusive focus on actors and performing artists, which means every member of their team deals with entertainment industry tax situations daily rather than encountering them occasionally among a broader client base. Their deep familiarity with the qualified performing artist deduction, which has strict eligibility requirements that general accountants frequently misapply, ensures that eligible actors claim this valuable above-the-line deduction correctly. The firm understands the intricacies of multi-state filing for actors who work on productions in different states throughout the year, including proper income allocation, reciprocal tax agreements, and state-specific credits that prevent double taxation. Their proactive approach to identifying deductions means they will ask about expenses that general preparers would never think to inquire about, such as streaming service subscriptions used for industry research, audition wardrobe costs, and self-tape equipment depreciation. The personalized relationship that develops over multiple years of working together means your preparer accumulates institutional knowledge about your career, recurring expenses, and income patterns, making each subsequent filing more efficient and thorough. The Burbank location makes in-person consultations convenient for Los Angeles-based actors, though the firm also serves clients remotely across the country.
What Could Be Better
The primary limitation of Actor's Tax Prep is its cost, which at $300 and up places it beyond the budget of many early-career actors who may be earning minimal income from acting and cannot justify the expense of specialized preparation for a relatively simple return. The firm's Burbank location, while convenient for Los Angeles-based actors, means that clients in other markets must work with the firm entirely remotely, losing the benefit of face-to-face consultations that can be valuable when discussing complex tax situations. Availability during peak tax season from March through April can be constrained, and actors who wait to schedule may find that the firm's capacity is fully booked, forcing them to seek alternative preparation at the last minute. Because the firm specializes exclusively in performing artists, they may have less expertise with non-entertainment income streams that some actors rely on, such as real estate investments, stock trading, or income from a non-acting side business. The personalized service model means that if your primary preparer leaves the firm or becomes unavailable, there may be a transition period where a new preparer needs to familiarize themselves with your history. As with any specialist tax preparer, the quality of the work depends on the individual handling your return, and the firm's overall reputation does not guarantee that every staff member will deliver the same level of thoroughness.
Our Recommendation
Actor's Tax Prep is the ideal choice for professional actors who earn a meaningful portion of their income from performing, work across multiple states, and want a tax preparer who speaks their language and understands their career without requiring explanations about what a residual is or why you deducted $2,000 for headshots. If you are a SAG-AFTRA member earning $30,000 or more annually from acting-related work, the investment in specialized preparation will almost certainly pay for itself through identified deductions and proper income structuring. Early-career actors with simple single-state returns and limited income may find the firm's fees disproportionate to their tax savings, and would be better served by consumer software or the free tax preparation offered by the Entertainment Community Fund. For actors based in Los Angeles, the Burbank location makes Actor's Tax Prep an especially convenient option, while actors in New York or other markets should verify that the firm's remote service model works for their needs before committing. If you are currently using a general CPA and suspect you are overpaying on taxes, scheduling Actor's Tax Prep's free consultation is a no-risk way to evaluate whether specialized preparation would save you money. The firm is particularly valuable for actors going through career transitions such as forming a loan-out corporation, signing with new representation, or beginning to earn significant residual income, as these milestones create tax complexities that specialists handle routinely.
Pro Tips
Contact Actor's Tax Prep in January to schedule your preparation appointment, as their calendar fills quickly during tax season and early booking ensures you get adequate time and attention from their team. Before your first appointment, organize all income documents including W-2s from productions, 1099s from commercial residuals and freelance work, and any documentation of cash payments or barter transactions. Create a comprehensive expense summary categorized by type, including headshots, coaching, classes, union dues, agent commissions, manager commissions, travel, wardrobe, self-tape equipment, and home office expenses, with receipts or digital records for each. Ask during your consultation about the qualified performing artist deduction and whether you meet the eligibility requirements, as this deduction can save qualifying actors significant money and is the single most commonly missed deduction for performing artists. If you work in multiple states, prepare a calendar showing which days you worked in each state, including travel days, as this information is critical for proper income allocation and your preparer will need it to file accurate state returns. Maintain a running expense log throughout the year using a spreadsheet or dedicated app, and share it with your preparer during your mid-year check-in to ensure you are on track with estimated payments and capturing all deductible expenses in real time.