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Taxation

Page history last edited by Alison Croggon 16 years, 7 months ago

This is a practical suggestion to help support the work of theatre artists working on independent productions. Beyond considering these people as unpaid I would suggest that to understand the real cost of these productions we need to consider them as ‘in-kind’ sponsors of or investors in the production. It is possible to put a real estimate on the amount of money an equity actor rehearsing and performing a show should be paid. It is possible for professional directors, designers and stage managers to estimate what their real fees should be. The fact that they all elect not to be paid upfront should be seen as them investing that money and hoping for a return. We all know that the returns on independent productions are mostly small. What if the estimated income that is not received in the final profit share could be considered a loss and as such a tax deduction?

 

This would allow a financial recognition of the investment artists are making in these productions at the grass roots level of theatre. In the scheme of tax breaks this is a small one in terms of the nation but a huge one for the people who work in this industry. If the tax deduction were only available to those with equity membership, it would also provide a real incentive for membership.

 

If the idea is to think big then perhaps the better extension of this is 'no taxation of artists', but in this situation even thinking small would have a huge effect.

 

Lee Lewis

Director

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