USA Tax Waiver Support

The Problem

30% of your gross income is withheld by default.

If you're a non-resident artist performing in the United States, promoters are generally required to withhold 30% of gross performance income under IRS rules. That deduction happens at settlement — before you're paid — regardless of your actual expenses or net income.

30%

Standard IRS withholding rate

What that means for your tour

Reduced settlement on show night Withholding applies at final settlement — even if a deposit was already received, the 30% comes off what's paid out.
Disrupted cash flow during your tour Funds held by the IRS aren't available to you until a refund is processed — which can take months.
Complex post-tour recovery filings If too much tax is withheld, you may need additional paperwork after the tour to claim a refund — this process is not automatic.

The Solution

We prepare your documentation so withholding can be reduced or eliminated.

We provide tax document preparation and coordination support to help ensure your filings are complete and submitted correctly. Depending on eligibility, withholding may be:

Reduced where treaty benefits apply
Eliminated in certain eligible cases
Properly applied based on approved documentation

Outcomes vary depending on eligibility, documentation, and approval by the Internal Revenue Service. All filings are submitted to the IRS by authorized parties.

Key filings we support

Form 8233 Treaty exemption documentation for eligible non-resident individuals claiming reduced withholding under a tax treaty.
Central Withholding Agreement (CWA) IRS agreement that sets a reduced withholding rate based on projected net income rather than gross — often the most impactful filing for touring artists.
ITIN Application Support Individual Taxpayer Identification Number preparation for artists who don't yet have a U.S. tax ID.

How It Works

Seven steps to a complete U.S. filing package.

The U.S. process involves more steps than Canada — we manage all of it on your behalf.

Tour Information Intake

You provide your tour details and we begin building your file.

Show dates and locations
Promoter / payer details
Contracts or deal summaries
Estimated income

Tax Identification Support

We assist in preparing documentation required for tax identification setup.

ITIN application support (individuals)
Entity documentation organization (if applicable)

Document Preparation

We organize and prepare your tax documentation based on your situation and advisor input.

Form 8233 (treaty exemption, where applicable)
Central Withholding Agreement (CWA) package

Filing Coordination

We assist in coordinating submission of prepared documentation through authorized representatives or designated filing channels with the IRS.

Administrative Follow-Up

We help organize and track filing-related communication throughout the approval process.

Document resubmission coordination
Status tracking support
Communication organization between parties

Payment Processing Support

Once approved, we help ensure documentation clarity so promoters can process payments correctly.

Promoters apply rates per approved documentation
We clarify documentation across all parties

Optional

Post-Tour Filing Support

We assist in organizing year-end materials if additional filings are needed after your tour concludes.

Filing preparation support
Refund-related paperwork organization
Coordination with your tax professional

Timeline

Start early — U.S. filings take time.

IRS processing requires a longer lead time than Canadian filings. Plan ahead to ensure approval before your first show.

6–8 weeks before tour

Onboarding & document intake — we collect your tour details and begin preparing your file.

4–6 weeks before tour

Preparation complete — your filing package is assembled and ready for submission.

2–4 weeks before tour

Filing coordination complete — documentation submitted and promoters notified of approved rates.

Who It's For

Any non-U.S. artist earning income in the States.

International Musicians & DJs

Non-U.S. artists performing at American venues who want to protect their settlement from IRS withholding.

Artist Managers & Booking Agents

Teams managing U.S. touring on behalf of international talent who need a reliable filing partner.

Production Companies

Companies running multi-act tours or large productions who need organized, IRS-ready documentation packages.

Non-U.S. Performers

Any non-resident performer — from any country — earning performance income at U.S. shows.