Accounting Made Easy for UK Artists
Being an artist, managing your creativity is instinctive but managing your finances isn’t. If you’re an artist managing inconsistent income, grant applications, commission payments, and tax rules, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. That’s where we come in. At Lanop Business and Tax Advisors, we specialise as accountants for artists, helping the creatives across the UK manage their money matters. From self-assessments and VAT for artists to grants, royalties, and more. Our experienced accountants for artists in the UK and across the globe provide the structure and clarity you need to focus on what matters most, which is your art.
Lanop, Where Creativity Meets Financial Clarity
- Your work doesn’t follow a 9-to-5 routine, and your income doesn’t come in neatly. We understand that. At Lanop Business and Tax Advisors, we work with artists at every stage, from emerging talent to established professionals with gallery representation and international clients. As experienced accountants for artists, we understand how project-based income, commission splits, copyright royalties, and irregular grant funding affect your finances. We’re not just here for tax returns. We’re here to help you build a financially strong and sustainable creative career.
Tailored Tax Support
- From self-employed registration, VAT for artists, to detailed grant reporting, we keep you compliant and stress-free.
Project-Based Bookkeeping
- We help you track expenses by project, apply relevant deductions, and stay ready in case of an audit.
Career Growth Guidance
- Whether you’re thinking about launching a company or adding new income streams, we help you plan it right from the start.
Our Accounting Services for Artists in the UK
We understand the creative industry inside out. That’s why we’ve designed a full range of services that support every aspect of your financial journey as an artist or creative professional.
Tax deadlines can sneak up fast, especially when income is irregular. We handle HMRC registration, track your earnings including grants and royalties, and make sure your filings are accurate and on time.
As experienced accountants for artists, we help you claim all allowable costs, from studio rent and materials to travel and exhibition fees, maximising deductions and reducing your tax bill.
We structure your books around each project, helping you monitor income, costs, and grant compliance. Our artist-friendly system keeps you organised, transparent, and ready for reporting.
We offer tailored guidance to help creative professionals structure their business for tax efficiency and long-term financial growth.
We handle your VAT registration, returns, and reporting, ensuring you remain compliant without getting buried in paperwork.
If your work involves international clients, gallery sales abroad, or platforms like Etsy and Saatchi Art, we offer dedicated support. We manage reporting for foreign income, ensure tax compliance, and help you meet your obligations confidently.
Correspondence from HMRC can be complex and often stressful. We act on your behalf to interpret and respond to all tax-related notices, providing clear guidance and professional representation throughout the process.
Who We Help
We support artists, creatives, and talent across all major creative platforms:
- Visual artists, painters, and sculptors
- Musicians, singers, and composers
- Actors, voiceover artists, and performers
- Freelance designers, illustrators, and animators
- Writers, poets, and creative content creators
- Photographers and videographers
Turning Creativity into a Sustainable Career
When your creative work starts gaining attention, whether through gallery shows, digital sales, or funded residencies, it’s more than a passion project. It’s a growing career. But turning that momentum into a stable income requires more than talent.
That’s where we come in. At Lanop, we help UK artists navigate the shift from project-based work to structured, sustainable growth. Whether you’re invoicing clients, managing multiple income streams, or considering a studio hire, we guide you in setting up solid financial systems that support your art.
Why Artists Need Specialist Accountants
- Chartered Accountants & Tax Advisors with deep expertise in the creative industries
- In-depth knowledge of artists’ income streams including royalties, commissions, and grants
- Offices located in both the UK and Dubai to support local and international clients
- Friendly, jargon-free advice with clear, transparent pricing
- Proven track record helping emerging and established artists maximize their financial potential
Creative Work Deserves Creative Accounting
You didn’t choose an artistic career to deal with tax codes and spreadsheets. But creative freedom depends on financial structure. At Lanop, we help you organise your finances without losing focus on your craft. As experienced accountants for artists, we walk you through what HMRC expects, how to structure your income, and which deductions you’re legally entitled to claim. From studio rent and materials to travel and marketing, we make sure every allowable expense is properly recorded.
We recently supported a visual artist who had never filed a tax return and was facing penalties. We reviewed their commissions and online sales, rebuilt expense records, resolved the issue with HMRC, and introduced an easy-to-manage digital bookkeeping system. We offer personal guidance with long-term clarity in mind.
How It Works
- Free consultation to understand your goals
- Income & platform review, UK and global
- Accounting setup, cloud-based, fully digital
- Ongoing support, tax planning, filings, WhatsApp access
- International advisory, for relocation, expansion, and UAE structuring
Building a Financial Foundation for Growth
When your creative work starts to gain real traction, the financial side quickly becomes more complex. You might find yourself selling more pieces, hosting workshops, licensing your designs, all exciting, but also demanding when it comes to money management. Many artists we meet reach a point where they realise they’re running a small business without even meaning to. That’s where we step in, not just to keep you compliant, but to help you grow with confidence.
That may mean setting up a limited company, registering for VAT, building a pension through your creative income, or even hiring support staff for your studio. We help you understand when to level up and how to do it without losing the soul of your work.
One artist we worked with went from weekend shows to running a commercial studio full-time, we helped them build a financial foundation for that shift with clear budgets, realistic targets, and long-term planning.
In today’s landscape, HMRC is paying closer attention to artists and creatives. Staying ahead means more than staying compliant, it means being ready to grow without stress. With Lanop, your art is supported by structure. That’s how passion becomes a profession, and how creativity becomes a career.
Award Winning Accountancy Firm in the UK
Our Identity
Integrity, honesty, and dedication are the core values at Lanop Business & Tax Advisors. Since launching our first Putney office in 2010, we’ve grown into a fully digital, UK‑based accounting and tax advisory firm that blends expert compliance with forward‑looking guidance and business strategy.
Our team of specialized chartered tax advisors and accountants delivers a full spectrum of services including tax planning, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, and virtual finance director support all designed to help you manage your business more efficiently and confidently.
We believe accounting is more than numbers it’s about empowering your journey through modern finance. That means applying strategic insight, breaking down complex financial processes, and acting as your trusted partner not just submitting filings.
Put simply, Lanop Business & Tax Advisors is more than an accounting firm we are your strategic ally, dedicated to guiding your financial success with integrity, precision,
FAQ
Accountants for artists
Why get an accountant who actually knows artists?
Your money isn’t simple. You get paid in all kinds of weird ways, selling art, gigs, grants, whatever. Most accountants don’t get that. But a specialist who knows artists can help you keep more cash and not mess up your taxes. It just makes life easier.
I’m new to this whole money and tax thing. Can an accountant make it less scary?
For sure. Money stuff can feel like a big headache when you’re starting out. A good accountant helps you get your stuff in order, explains things so you actually understand, and makes sure you don’t pay more than you need to. You focus on your art, they handle the boring stuff.
What expenses can I write off as an artist?
If you buy paint, rent a studio, promote your work, or travel to shows, you can usually claim that on your taxes. The tricky part is knowing what’s okay and what’s not. A good accountant makes sure you don’t miss out on saving money.
I sell art all over the place. Does that make taxes a nightmare?
It can, but it doesn’t have to be. Different countries mean different tax rules and currencies, which gets confusing fast. An accountant who knows this stuff keeps you out of trouble and makes sure your international sales don’t cause headaches.
How do I find an accountant who really gets artists?
Find someone who’s worked with creatives before and talks in plain English. They listen to you, get what you do, and don’t drown you in confusing tax talk. If they seem to care about your success and not just the numbers, you’re in good hands.
