This bill, known as the "Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2025," amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the above-the-line deduction for expenses incurred by performing artist employees. It establishes a new phaseout for this deduction, reducing the amount by 10 percentage points for each $2,000 (or fraction thereof) that a taxpayer's gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 for joint filers). This income threshold will be adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2025. The legislation also explicitly clarifies that commissions paid to a performing artist's manager or agent are included as deductible expenses. Furthermore, it increases the threshold for determining a nominal employer from $200 to $500, which is a criterion for qualifying for the deduction. This new $500 threshold will also be subject to cost-of-living adjustments, with all amendments applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
This bill, known as the "Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2025," amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the above-the-line deduction for expenses incurred by performing artist employees. It establishes a new phaseout for this deduction, reducing the amount by 10 percentage points for each $2,000 (or fraction thereof) that a taxpayer's gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 for joint filers). This income threshold will be adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2025. The legislation also explicitly clarifies that commissions paid to a performing artist's manager or agent are included as deductible expenses. Furthermore, it increases the threshold for determining a nominal employer from $200 to $500, which is a criterion for qualifying for the deduction. This new $500 threshold will also be subject to cost-of-living adjustments, with all amendments applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.