DPE Commends House Reintroduction of PATPA, Legislation Aiming to Restore Tax Fairness for Entertainment Professionals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2025 - The bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA) was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives late last week by Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Judy Chu (D-CA). PATPA will restore tax fairness for entertainment professionals by updating the adjusted gross income cap for the Qualified Performing Artist (QPA) deduction from $16,000 to $100,000 for single taxpayers and $200,000 for joint filers, which will ensure today’s middle-class entertainment professionals can access this longtime provision in the tax code that allows them to deduct expenses required to secure and maintain employment. 

In response to the House reintroduction of PATPA, Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement:

“I applaud Representatives Buchanan and Chu for prioritizing tax fairness for entertainment professionals by reintroducing PATPA.

Currently, many middle class actors, stage managers, dancers, musicians, cinematographers, and other creative professionals spend 20 to 30 percent of their income on work expenses, like headshots, talent agents and managers, or equipment. Past changes to the tax code unintentionally left many middle class entertainment professionals with hefty tax bills by eliminating their ability to deduct these necessary expenses. Many creative professionals, including members of DPE affiliated unions, have faced financial hardship as a result of this unintended tax increase. PATPA is needed to ensure entertainment professionals are no longer penalized for seeking and maintaining employment. 

DPE calls on Congress to pass PATPA to restore tax fairness and put money back in the hands of hard-working professionals in the creative industries.”

About DPE

The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) is a coalition of 24 unions representing over four million professional and technical union members. DPE affiliate unions represent professionals in over 300 occupations in education and healthcare; science, engineering, and technology; legal, business, and management; media, entertainment, and the arts; and public administration.