10 Smart Purchases Performers Can Make Before the Tax Year Ends
As we approach the end of the UK tax year, self-employed performers enter the familiar phase of reviewing income, expenses, and what their final tax bill might look like. Unlike those on PAYE, your tax is affected not just by what you earn — but by what you invest back into your business.
And here’s the good news:
Anything you buy wholly and exclusively for your performing work can usually be claimed as an allowable business expense.
So, the end of the tax year can actually be a brilliant time to make useful purchases that:
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Improve your live gigs
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Make your workflow easier
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Boost your bookings
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Strengthen your brand
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Reduce your taxable profit
Below are 10 valuable, practical purchases for wedding and events performers that tick every box.
1. New Audio Gear (Mics, Interfaces, Stands, Cables)
If your mic has seen better days or your interface is making mysterious clicking noises, now is the perfect time to upgrade.
Wedding performers rely heavily on dependable sound — so replacing a mic, upgrading to a cleaner DI box, or grabbing spare cables isn’t just helpful… it’s tax-deductible.
Great purchases:
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Vocal mic upgrade (e.g., Shure Beta 58A, Sennheiser e935)
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Back-up mic
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Strong boom mic stand
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Instrument leads
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In-ears
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Audio interface
2. Marketing Assets for Wedding Fairs
Wedding fairs are one of the best ways to secure bookings, but you need to look the part. Branded assets are fully claimable.
Useful marketing purchases:
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Roller banners
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Premium business cards
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Table display signage
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A branded tablecloth or backdrop
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Photo frames or QR code stands for social links
These small investments often pay for themselves after a single booking.
3. Social Media Advertising Credit
If you run ads on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube — or you’ve been thinking about it — the cost is deductible.
This is the time to:
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Boost that standout video
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Run a targeted wedding-season ad
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Promote your latest showreel
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Retarget couples who visited your website
Paid ads can be a surprisingly inexpensive way to get enquiries flowing.
4. Website Improvements or Hosting
Your website is your storefront.
You can claim for:
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Hosting
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Domain renewals
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Website design updates
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New booking systems
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Professional branding tweaks
A polished website pays off during peak enquiry season.
5. New Acoustic Backing Tracks (Expanding Your Repertoire)
This is a perfect moment to freshen up your setlist — and it directly supports your business.
Buying new tracks from Acoustic Backs And Tracks is a fully allowable business expense because they’re tools you use to earn income.
It’s a great time to:
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Add new first-dance songs
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Refresh your ceremony set
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Expand your classic oldies or pop repertoire
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Prepare more social-ready performance content
Stronger repertoire = more enquiries + better crowd reactions… and lower taxable profit.
6. Lighting & Ambience Add-Ons
Many wedding singers set themselves apart with simple lighting that makes their setup look premium.
Good investments include:
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Uplighters
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Compact LED wash lights
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Battery-powered room lights
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A small haze machine (venue-dependent)
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Replacement bulbs, clamps or adapters
Better atmosphere = better video content too.
7. Performance Outfits or Stage Clothing
If you have clothing that is used exclusively for performance (e.g., branded outfits or stage-specific clothing), it can be considered an allowable business expense.
Perfect for wedding singers who maintain a smart, consistent look.
8. Travel Tools & Gig Essentials
Things that help you get to gigs or move equipment count as tools of the trade.
Examples:
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Sat-nav apps or subscriptions
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A stronger trolley for gear
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Protective cases
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Power banks
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Spare batteries
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Parking apps / toll expenses
These small purchases genuinely make gig days smoother.
9. Music Software, Plugins & Apps
If you produce your own demos or backing tracks, any software is fully claimable.
Examples:
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DAWs (Logic, Cubase, Ableton)
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Plugins (piano libraries, vocal chains, reverbs)
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Music editing apps
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Lyric video apps
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Storage subscriptions for backing tracks
These tools help you rehearse, create content, and stay organised.
10. Professional Development
Anything that improves your ability to perform or run your business is deductible.
This could include:
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Vocal coaching
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Guitar/keys lessons
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Music production courses
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Business courses for wedding suppliers
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Books or learning materials
Upskilling yourself is one of the best investments you can make.
Final Thoughts: Spend Smart, Not Random
The goal isn’t to spend money unnecessarily — the goal is to spend it intentionally on things that:
- improve your performances
- grow your bookings
- streamline your business
- AND reduce your tax bill
For many performers, refreshing their promo materials, upgrading key gear, and expanding their repertoire through Acoustic Backs And Tracks is the perfect combination for ending the tax year strong and entering the new one prepared.
