Bookkeeping and Accounting for Playwrights

Looking for a bookkeeper and accountant for your playwright business? We do your books, so you get more time to focus on your creative scripts. Sign up today and get a free month of bookkeeping, valued at $299.

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How Bench works with playwrights

Benefit from bookkeeping, income tax prep, and filing designed for the creatively inclined and handled by experts—powered by one sophisticated platform. Bench works seamlessly with playwrights.

We get you set up

Our team invests time to thoroughly comprehend your work as a playwright, answer your queries, assist you in connecting your accounts, and educate you on how Bench functions.

We do your bookkeeping

Every month, your dedicated bookkeeper categorizes your playwright transactions and prepares detailed financial reports. If they require additional information from you, they'll promptly reach out.

We deliver tax-ready financials

Our squad of experts is well-versed in the specific financial needs of the playwriting industry and will tailor their approach to your playwriting business' unique requirements.

Here’s why playwrights like you trust Bench with their bookkeeping and accounting

Get fast, unlimited support from our expert advisors

We'll consistently connect with you, providing concise bookkeeping updates. Got any urgent queries regarding your financial documents? We assure you of a response in less than 24 hours. With Bench, playwrights can focus on crafting stories, not crunching numbers.

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screenshot of Bench support app

Guaranteed accuracy in every detail

Our platform helps you accurately automate data inputs from most popular providers, eliminating common arithmetic errors. We collaborate with favored merchants in the theatrical sector such as Gusto, Stripe, Shopify, and Square— ensuring your financial records as a playwright are always spot-on.

See where you’re spending. Make smart decisions

Wave farewell to stacks of scripts and tedious manual tracking—we automate inputs directly from linked accounts. Gain insights from one easy-to-understand dashboard so you can effortlessly comprehend the financial health of your theatrical work and make strategic decisions.

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Bench integrates with your favorite small business tools

We sync seamlessly with your financial accounts and tools to keep your books up-to-date and save you the time and effort of manually uploading documents.

Trusted by 25,000+ American small business owners

“Bench helped me replace QuickBooks, and save about 6 hours per month of horrible accounting work, which is priceless.”

CHRIS RONZIO

CEO, TRAINUAL
“This is the first year where it’s tax season and I don’t feel anxious one bit.”

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FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RELATIONSHIP HQ
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We know bookkeeping for playwrights

Being professionals in the theater industry, playwrights have unique financial nuances like royalties, grants, advances and various types of income that can be complex to track and manage effectively. Bench understands the intricacies of this industry, and goes a step further to not only provide online bookkeeping services but also helps playwrights navigate the maze of industry-specific laws and taxes. Our experienced team of bookkeepers are well acquainted with the royalty tax laws and the challenges faced in the reconciliation of various forms of income received throughout each financial year.

Bench is revolutionizing the way bookkeeping and tax services are provided to small businesses and professionals. We leverage intuitive software and pair it with the expertise of human bookkeepers to deliver a personalized, efficient service. We manage all your financial reporting, track your income from various sources, navigate grant and advance accounting, and finally, optimize your tax deductions. With Bench on your team, you can focus on crafting compelling stories and leave the financial legwork to us. We offer this unique blend of technology and personalized service to give you a seamless, hassle-free bookkeeping experience unlike any other.

Simple, straightforward pricing for everything your business needs.

Join over 25,000 US-based business owners who have streamlined their finances and have grown their businesses with Bench.

Choose Plan

Bookkeeping

Reliable bookkeeping to cover your basic financial reporting needs.

$249/mo

billed annually

Dedicated bookkeeping experts
Accurate monthly books and year-end tax-ready financial packages
P&L, balance sheet and 1099 reporting
Unlimited communication with your bookkeeping team

Bookkeeping & Tax

Full-service bookkeeping with income tax filing and advisory to manage your financials seamlessly.
$399/mo

billed annually

Everything in the Bookkeeping plan, plus:
Dedicated team of licensed tax professionals to file your income tax return on time
Annual income tax filing for businesses (partnerships, S corps, C corps)
Annual income tax filing for individuals (sole proprietors, contractors)

Bookkeeping

Reliable bookkeeping to cover your basic financial reporting needs.

$299/mo

billed monthly

Dedicated bookkeeping experts
Accurate monthly books and year-end tax-ready financial packages
P&L, balance sheet and 1099 reporting
Unlimited communication with your bookkeeping team

Bookkeeping & Tax

Full-service bookkeeping with income tax advisory and filing to manage your financials seamlessly.
$499/mo

billed monthly

Everything in the Bookkeeping plan, plus:
Dedicated team of licensed tax professionals to file your income tax return on time
Annual income tax filing for businesses (partnerships, S corps, C corps)
Annual income tax filing for individuals (sole proprietors, contractors)

Frequently Asked Questions

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As a playwright, what specific expenses can I deduct for tax purposes?

As a playwright, there are numerous specific expenses that you are eligible to deduct for tax purposes. These include:

  • Script and manuscript expenses
  • Royalty fees
  • Research materials and tools
  • Travel expenses related to your work
  • Computers, software, and technical equipment used for producing your works
  • The costs of attending playwriting workshops and seminars
  • Professional association fees
  • Advertising and promotional costs related to your works

Please remember that tax laws may vary, and it is recommended to consult with a professional accountant or tax expert to ensure you're accurately reporting and deducting expenses. Let the team at Bench Accounting assist you in handling these details and streamlining your bookkeeping process.

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What type of accounting assistance would I need to professionally manage my income from play royalties?

The income from play royalties generally falls under royalty income which is a part of your taxable income. Hence, you'll need accounting assistance in the following areas:

  • Recording Income: Proper record-keeping of incoming royalty payments is crucial. An accountant or bookkeeper can help ensure every payment is accounted for correctly and on time.
  • Tax Planning: Royalty income is taxable and could potentially push you into a higher tax bracket. A qualified accountant can help you strategize to reduce your tax liabilities.
  • Financial Reporting: Regular financial reports can help you understand the profitability of your plays and track the income trends. An experienced bookkeeper can create these reports for you.
  • Expense Tracking: Some expenses associated with producing your plays may be tax-deductible. Having a bookkeeper manage your expense tracking ensures you capture all possible deductions.

Hiring a professional from Bench Accounting can ensure that your royalty income is properly managed, allowing you to focus on your creative work.

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Are there special bookkeeping considerations for playwrights receiving grants and fellowships?

Yes, there are indeed certain special bookkeeping considerations for playwrights who receive grants and fellowships. These forms of income can present specific tax implications which need to be accounted for properly. It's important to track the use of grant money, as many organizations require detailed accounting of how this money was spent. Fellowships may also be taxable, depending on the terms and conditions. To ensure compliance, accuracy and efficiency, it's advised that playwrights seek the help of a professional bookkeeper familiar with these particular considerations.

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Does Bench outsource bookkeeping?

Nope! All bookkeeping is completed in-house.

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Will I have one point of contact?

Your bookkeeper will be your main point of contact, but at times you might hear from another member of your team. This is usually when your bookkeeper goes on vacation, is sick, or otherwise unavailable.

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How much time each month will I have to spend managing my Bench account?

We handle the bookkeeping for you but sometimes we’ll need your input, especially at year-end. On average, expect to spend 15 minutes each month answering questions for your bookkeeper, or uploading supporting docs.

Bookkeeping Services for Playwrights

Discover how we can help you have better finances with a personalized demo from a Bench expert, ready to answer all your questions. Sign up as a customer today and get a free month of bookkeeping, valued at $299.

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