Artist Focused Accounting Specialists in Chico, CA

Grow Your Business with Us

The creative industry offers endless opportunities for self-expression and income—but for many artists, managing the business side of their work can be overwhelming. From tracking freelance income and managing inconsistent cash flow to navigating self-employment taxes and deductible expenses, the financial side of artistry often gets overlooked. At TreeStar Solutions, we understand the unique challenges that independent artists, performers, and creatives face—and we’re here to help you bring clarity to your finances so you can focus on your craft.

Our accounting professionals specialize in serving artists, performers, and creative entrepreneurs. We’ll plan and prepare your federal, state, and local income tax returns using the most current tax laws relevant to self-employed creatives. We help you properly track and allocate expenses—such as supplies, travel, studio space, and equipment—so you can maximize deductions, reduce your tax burden, and keep more of what you earn from your art.

  • Visual Artists

    • Expense tracking for art supplies, studio rent, printing, and framing

    • Tax preparation for sales made through galleries, commissions, or direct sales

    • Inventory and cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) reporting for originals and prints

    • Guidance on deducting travel, exhibition fees, and portfolio development costs

  • Performing Artists

    • Income reconciliation for gigs, touring, streaming royalties, and performance contracts

    • Deduction support for rehearsal space, costumes, training, and union dues

    • Tax planning for multi-state performances and 1099 income

    • Retirement and savings strategies for freelance and contract-based performers

  • Craft Fairs

    • Sales tracking and bookkeeping for pop-up events, fairs, and farmer’s markets

    • Inventory management and cost allocation for handmade goods and materials

    • Sales tax compliance for multi-jurisdiction vending

    • Financial planning for seasonal income fluctuations and show travel expenses

  • Creative Entrepreneurs

    • Business setup guidance (LLC, sole proprietorship) tailored to creative services
    • Invoicing, payment processing, and income tracking across platforms and clients
    • Tax strategies for mixed-income streams: products, services, online courses
    • Budgeting and forecasting tools to plan for growth and creative investments