It rains it pours, or it's always something, etc

[rjb]

Years ago I was in a band that played mostly hard rock (Alice, Kiss, etc.).

I apologize in advance for asking, but just can't help it...
What, no Twisted Sister? Did you wear the requisite Halloween, I mean, Hard Rock attire for the wedding gig?

I used to work with an engineer whose previous career had been as a pro club musician during the Disco era.
He once was audited by the IRS, partially because they didn't believe his deductions for "work clothes and uniforms if required and not suitable for everyday use."
So he went to the audit wearing a gold lamé jumpsuit with three foot fringe, a rhinestone belt with enormous yin-yang buckle, and ten inch platform shoes with goldfish in the heels. He asked the auditor what he thought the ensemble cost, and whether he would wear it in the street. Deduction accepted. (The story was much funnier when Woody told it.)

[The Dude]

We were more of a ripped jeans and t-shirt kind of band. That said, I don't recall for sure but I would guess we took it up a notch since it was a wedding.
I myself was audited in 1986 (easy to remember that year). I ended up finding even more deductions than I initially reported and they ended up owing me money. The IRS should have left that door closed.

...... and no Twisted Sister.

[Bill Moore]

Same story with the audit, I think in 1987. I claimed a few jobs as hobby income, (that required a SS number to get paid), and paid taxes. They denied the hobby income and wanted me to declare regular income. I spent some time itemizing equipment, transportation, and clothing expenses, and refiled. I got a few hundred more back that year!

[Leo_Gnardo]

...... and no Twisted Sister.

And thank hevvins for that. Imagine you'd have to show up for your mid 80's audit all glittered up with 6 inch stack boots and a pink tutu. OTOH these days they'd have one blink at you and say "so what's unusual ?"

I wonder if this guy gets to deduct the dye for his beard?

[g1]

all glittered up with 6 inch stack boots and a pink tutu.

6 inch is a good start...

[olddawg]

One of the first things I ask before joining a band nowadays is, "Who signs the 1099?" I had 2 bands break up last year with several outstanding bookings because no one would sign the damn 1099s. In the old days they paid bands in clubs with cash from bar sales. The old owners are dying out and the new Xers have Turbotax. So lately I make sure someone in the band owns a business or wife/girlfriend will manage the band and pay me cash. Same thing if I charge someone to repair something.... Cash, no receipts. I've also seen a lot of clubs that have been in existence 30 or 40 odd years shut down soon after they changed hands because of Noise Ordinances and lack of a Caberet License (the City Councils don't look the other way for the new guys) Then there is ASCAP wanting several $K. I remember decades ago trying to show enough income to qualify for a loan to buy a house. I created a repair business in my garage. I operated it as a loss and wrote off sq footage in the house and such. The IRS came after me the next year, but I was able to negotiate. I just took a bunch of pictures of my test equipment at my day job, lol.