Hospitality & events
MTD software for djs and musicians.
Finish the gig. Leave the paperwork for a shorter set.
Late finishes, equipment hire and agency bookings can scatter records across weeks. Avona helps performers keep fee receipts and business costs together while the show is still fresh.
- Who it is for
- DJs and musicians working as sole traders, managing their own business records and MTD for Income Tax updates.
- Available now
- Digital records, bank feeds, statement imports, transaction categorisation and quarterly self-employment updates. Pro adds customer invoicing, VAT accounting and reporting.
- Monthly price
- From £15/month for Lite. Pro is £20/month.
- Free trial
- Full access for 7 days. No credit card required.
- Annual-return limitations
- Quarterly updates do not replace your annual tax return. HMRC lists annual-return items including PAYE income, interest, dividends and pensions as in development. Check the listing and confirm support for your income sources before relying on Avona for your annual return.
Making Tax Digital
It’s what comes in.
Before costs go out.
Weekend fees, session work and relevant business royalties accumulate before agents, transport and equipment. What remains after a gig is not the gross income used for MTD.
Understand Making Tax Digital →When does MTD apply?
Combined qualifying self-employment and property income, before expenses:
- Over £50,000 in 2024/25
- From 6 April 2026
- Over £30,000 in 2025/26
- From 6 April 2027
- Over £20,000 in 2026/27
- From 6 April 2028
Eligibility and exemptions matter. These are income thresholds, not tax-free allowances.
Check HMRC’s eligibility guidance ↗From the work to your records
Clear records for your paid event performance.
Bring the evidence into Avona, review the suggested categories and check the figures before submitting. These three examples show the records behind your paid event performance, shared purchases and a live-performance booking.
| What you bring | How you use Avona | What you check |
|---|---|---|
| £650 for your paid event performance £150 spent on sound-system hire | Connect your bank or import the payment, then upload the invoice or receipt for sound-system hire. Review the income and the purchase as separate records. | Keep £650 as the sale and the £150 cost separately. The £500 left after this cost is not turnover. Check that the spending is eligible for your business. |
| £100 mixed purchase £80 for cables for paid performances; £20 for accessories for your home stereo | Upload the itemised receipt and review the suggested category. Identify cables for paid performances separately from accessories for your home stereo. | Only the eligible £80 business portion belongs in business costs. Exclude the £20 personal purchase, and check that importing both the bank transaction and the receipt has not counted the spending twice. |
| £200 booking payment, then £600 £800 agreed total | Keep the agreement for a live-performance booking and review both customer receipts against it. Bring in the payments through your bank feed or statement import. | The two payments account for the £800 total. Do not count the full invoice again as another receipt. Use your accounting method for timing, and retain evidence of any later cancellation or refund. |
Keep supporting documents alongside your figures, review business use and apply your accounting method consistently. HMRC: keeping business records ↗
The costs behind your work
Six expenses worth
keeping records for.
Examples for djs and musicians. Claim only eligible business costs; mixed use, equipment and your accounting method can change the treatment.
Business PA equipment
Lighting hire
Professional music subscriptions
Instrument insurance
Eligible gig travel
Business overnight accommodation
One thing to watch
Your accounts' depreciation is not tax relief
Keep purchase records for instruments and sound equipment. The treatment of new kit depends on the asset and accounting basis; do not simply claim the depreciation shown in your accounts.
HMRC: office, property and equipment ↗Fit the admin around the work
A routine around your paid event performance.
Record gig and agency statements, photograph travel receipts and flag new equipment before reviewing your quarterly income and expenses.
Capture the supporting documents
Upload receipts or invoices for sound-system hire. Keep the date, supplier and amount legible, and distinguish cables for paid performances from accessories for your home stereo.
How document capture works →Reconcile your paid event performance payments
Review each customer receipt against the work it covers. Keep the breakdown for a live-performance booking available alongside the bank entry, so fees, refunds or timing differences can be explained.
How bank review works →Review before you submit
Review Avona AI’s suggested categories, check that your paid event performance income is complete, and remove duplicate or personal spending. Keep the evidence for a live-performance booking ready for your annual-return review too.
Before you get started
Questions from djs and musicians.
Does MTD apply to everyone in this profession?
No. This page covers djs and musicians working as sole traders. Your start date depends on combined qualifying self-employment and property income before expenses, and any exemptions. Employment and limited-company work have different reporting arrangements.
How should I record a booking agent's deduction?
Keep the performance agreement and remittance details. Where the fee is your sale, record it with the agent charge separately, rather than relying only on the lower amount received.
How do I record a live-performance booking?
Example: £200 booking payment, then £600 (£800 agreed total). The two payments account for the £800 total. Do not count the full invoice again as another receipt. Use your accounting method for timing, and retain evidence of any later cancellation or refund.
Which bookkeeping issue should I watch for?
Your accounts' depreciation is not tax relief. Keep purchase records for instruments and sound equipment. The treatment of new kit depends on the asset and accounting basis; do not simply claim the depreciation shown in your accounts.
Can I keep using my existing spreadsheet?
Yes. Bring your paid event performance income records and evidence of sound-system hire into Avona using supported spreadsheet uploads. Check dates, categories, personal spending and duplicates against the original documents before you approve the records.
Do quarterly updates complete my annual tax return?
No. You still need the annual tax return and any relevant adjustments or other income. HMRC currently lists annual-return items including PAYE income, interest, dividends and pensions as in development for Avona. Confirm support for your own income sources and circumstances before relying on Avona for the annual return.
Built for the way you earn
Keep your music business records in rhythm.
Choosing Avona
Your questions, answered.
Can I create customer invoices?
Yes. You can create customer invoices with Avona Pro.
What if I am VAT-registered?
Full VAT accounting is available with Avona Pro, so you can manage your VAT-registered business with Avona.
Can my accountant review my records?
Yes. You can connect your Avona account to your bookkeeper or accountant so they can review your records.
Can I use my phone on site?
Yes. Every feature has a mobile-friendly version, so you can manage your accounts from your phone while you are on the move.
Can I keep using my personal bank account?
Yes. Avona supports Open Banking connections and PDF bank statement uploads. You can clearly separate personal and business transactions to keep your business records organised.