Listen to Episode 8: iTunes – Spotify – Stitcher – Soundcloud
Jon Thomas, born in 1952 in Los Angeles, California, attended the University of California at Los Angeles where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in Accounting. His interest and exposure to the Entertainment Field started early growing up in Los Angeles and spending time with his uncle who was formerly a child radio star and currently an entertainment event promoter. Jon was involved personally as a musician playing in bands from the time he was 12. Though mainly playing as a hobby, he helped support himself through college by playing guitar and singing in several Top 40 Band.
Jon began his accounting career working in 1975 joining the Firm of Joseph S. Herbert & Co. in Los Angeles, California. In 1976, he joined the premier entertainment firm of Bisgier, Breslauer & Co. (later to be reformed as Gelfand, Breslauer, Rennert and Feldman) as an associate. There he practiced all phases of business management for clients in all fields of entertainment working on clients including The Eagles, Dan Fogelberg, Fleetwood Mac, Diana Ross, Olivia Newton-John, Bob Dylan and Barbara Steisand. His duties involved handling all phases of the financial affairs for his client. Highlights included visiting his clients in the recording studio, on set and stints going out on tour with Bob Dylan and the Eagles. In 1980, Jon became a partner in the Business Management firm of Bradshaw and Thomas, C.P.A. Jon later opened his own solo firm in 1987, named J. Arthur Thomas, C.P.A., A Professional Corporation. The firm specializes in providing business management, tax and accounting services for all areas of the entertainment and related fields.
Jon’s current business management, tax and accounting practice consists of representing high earning clients who are musicians, composers, directors, producers (music and film), actors/actresses, managers, executives of entertainment companies, film and television production companies as well as professionals, Doctors, small businesses and many non-profit organizations. Having experience working on clients big and small give Jon a wide perspective to handle almost any situation.
He enjoys long walks on the beach, playing guitar in his blues band, cross country skiing, Karate, camping and his favorite color is GREEN.
In today’s interview we cover:
- Making the decision to do music full-time or not
- Becoming a CPA and staying connected to the music industry
- What it’s like providing business management and CPA services to high-level entertainers
- Lessons from artists treating their music like a business
- Income volatility and uncertainty
- Common financial mistakes
- Managing cash flow appropriately
- Multiple streams of income
- Investing as a musician
- Importance of planning for retirement
- Taxes for musicians
- Recent Tax Reform effect on musicians
- Importance and benefits of consulting knowledgable professionals
- Difference between a tax deduction and credit
- What determines whether to use TurboTax, CPA, or VITA
- “You don’t know what you don’t know.”
- Opportunity cost
- Importance of goals
- Self-employment tax
- Estimated quarterly tax payments
- Consequences of not paying taxes
- What to do if behind on filing/paying taxes
- 2 step program for increasing your net worth
Resources mentioned:
- Springboard Music Festival
- IRA (Individual Retirement Account)
- W2 Form
- Standard Deduction
- Tax Credits
- VITA (IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program)
- Self-Employment Tax
- WeGet Music
- Estimated Quarterly Tax Payments
- 1099 – MISC Form
Connect with Jon:
jont@jatcpa.com
Thanks for listening and keep thriving!
