Mobile DJ Business Advice

smck99

Hi all,

I bought decks a few years back and inevitably ended up DJ'ing house parties and friends birthdays. Soon after I started getting some paid gigs and now have a bit of a name in my area and DJ functions and bars semi-regularly for cash in hand.

I have been thinking about going legit and setting up a business as I want to really push myself as a DJ and as a name. Would it be worth my while to set myself up as a sole trader? Just wondering if anyone has been through this or a similar process and might have any advice for me.

I plan on buying a car and would like to claim it as a business expense and use it as a commercial vehicle. Also possibly upgrade my decks, mixer, PA etc. sometime in the future, and write them off as business expenses. Also, I'm studying music production and would like to use the business to purchase any gear I buy for my career in the future. I plan on the business likely functioning as a name for multiple music related ventures in the future. Would this be allowed? Also, I highly doubt it but, could I possibly claim some lights I recently bought as a business expense, or "sell" them to my business?

What sort of tax might I expect to pay on gigs? Are there any other pros/cons of setting this kind of business?

However, I am in my final year of college, with plans to do a postgrad next year and will most likely only be gigging the odd weekend. Will this affect me, my taxes, my company car eligibility etc etc?

Any advice/information would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

melekalikimaka

smck99 wrote: »

Hi all,

I bought decks a few years back and inevitably ended up DJ'ing house parties and friends birthdays. Soon after I started getting some paid gigs and now have a bit of a name in my area and DJ functions and bars semi-regularly for cash in hand.

I have been thinking about going legit and setting up a business as I want to really push myself as a DJ and as a name. Would it be worth my while to set myself up as a sole trader? Just wondering if anyone has been through this or a similar process and might have any advice for me.

I plan on buying a car and would like to claim it as a business expense and use it as a commercial vehicle. Also possibly upgrade my decks, mixer, PA etc. sometime in the future, and write them off as business expenses. Also, I'm studying music production and would like to use the business to purchase any gear I buy for my career in the future. I plan on the business likely functioning as a name for multiple music related ventures in the future. Would this be allowed? Also, I highly doubt it but, could I possibly claim some lights I recently bought as a business expense, or "sell" them to my business?

What sort of tax might I expect to pay on gigs? Are there any other pros/cons of setting this kind of business?

However, I am in my final year of college, with plans to do a postgrad next year and will most likely only be gigging the odd weekend. Will this affect me, my taxes, my company car eligibility etc etc?

Any advice/information would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

you need to be earning, and paying tax on quite a large amount before you can start writing things off.

unclebill98

All of what you are asking is technically possible however there are many variables like personal details that would not exactly splash out on a internet forum.

Best thing to do is talk to an accountant. Quick meeting etc and get the best advice tailored to you.

Fandango

As was said, the things you are talking about purchasing for your career would be in the thousands, if not tens of thousands. You would need to be paying at least that much in tax to write them off meaning you would need to be earning a huge amount (probably 50-60k a year) to make that worthwhile. Obviously if you are earning that much you would need to do it legit anyway and pay taxes unless you want a day in court Also, before you set up you would want to be certain you can make a living from it consistently as being self employed affects your social protection status even if you arent earning enough to live. I would definately talk an accountant and weigh up the pros and cons before doing anything.

smck99

Many thanks for the replies folks. I'm going to research further into it and arrange a meeting with an accountant in the new year.