A royalty statement, a bank deposit and a tax form can show different amounts for the same music income. Music royalty accounting requires artists to identify what each figure measures and reconcile the differences.
Spotify paid out more than $11 billion in 2025, with independent artists and labels accounting for half. As payments arrive from multiple sources, the records behind each deposit matter.
Match earnings to deposits
Differences can result from reporting delays, fees, payout minimums, currency conversion or advance recoupment. For example, a statement showing $5,000 in royalties, a $500 distribution fee and $1,000 applied against an earlier advance would produce a $3,500 bank deposit.
Recording only the deposit leaves out the deductions. Recording both the $5,000 in royalties and the $3,500 deposit as income counts the same earnings twice. The statement, deductions and deposit should be connected in the artist’s records, with International Standard Recording Codes (ISRCs) tracked when available to identify the recordings involved.
Check registrations and tax records
- The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) plans to begin distributing its remaining unmatched and unclaimed U.S. streaming mechanical royalties in 2027 among songs matched and earning royalties in the relevant month. Songwriters can register their songs with The MLC for free.
- Without a valid taxpayer identification number, a payer may have to withhold 24% of payments. The artist can claim that backup withholding on a tax return.
- If a band uses one member’s Form W-9, the group’s income can appear on that member’s Form 1099. Records of each member’s share help account for the income.
- For 2026 payments, royalties remain reportable on Form 1099-MISC at $10. The reporting threshold for most other payments, including many gig and contractor payments, is $2,000. Income remains income even when no form is issued.
Keep each payer and split traceable
Payments from a distributor, performing rights organization (PRO), The MLC, SoundExchange, a synchronization deal or a merchandise store may reach the same bank account. A payer list can record what each source pays for, when it reports, where its statements are available and who reviews them.
Keep statements, detailed data files, payment records and contracts together by payer and year. Record the period covered by each statement separately from the date the cash arrives.
Some receipts may also be owed in part to co-writers, producers or bandmates under their agreements. Document the splits, amounts received, amounts owed and payments already made so those obligations can be traced.
