rehearse it 'til it's routine

Record Keeping

What to keep hold of and how to do it

you're already good at this

It's a Habit, Not a Chore

Think about the systems you already have in place. An organised audition rep folder — songs by style, cuts marked, ready to grab at 9am. Your CV updated the day the contract ends. That's not admin, that's being a professional. Record keeping is exactly the same skill pointed at your money — and the trick is the same too: little and often beats a heroic once-a-year scramble.

the moment it happens

Record on the Day

Bought character shoes? Paid for a coaching session? Log it before you leave the shop or studio — 10 seconds now

'Dead time' use

Ten-Minute Check-In

Commuting to class? Bus replacement service? Use the time to check whether any payments have landed and that you're up to date.

the contract wrap

Close Every Job

Contract ends? File the P45, check you're invoices have been paid, log any expenses from the run. Job wrapped on stage AND on paper.

what to keep

Essential Documentation

INCOME RECORDS

Payslips (employed work) • Fees & any subsistence (self-employed)

RECEIPTS & OTHER EXPENSE EVIDENCE

ALL expenses (training, costumes, equipment, transport) • Email screenshots, receipts, store the best evidence you can to support your expense claims.

P60/P45 FORMS

Given by employers for every tax year you're employed. P45 if you've left employment, P60 if you're still employed at the end of the tax year.

the 5-year rule

Keep for 5 Years

HMRC can investigate your accounts up to 5 years from the tax year end date — that's 6 years from the start of the tax year to be safe.

one home for everything

Build Your System Once

Find your groove recording your income and expenses. Snap paper receipts the day you get them (they fade!). The test of a good system: could you find any record in under a minute? If yes — you've nailed it, and tax time becomes a copy-paste job.

take the drama out of tax

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The tax app built just for performers, creatives and side-hustlers — track your income, expenses and live tax bill in one tidy place, ready for your return.

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