PAYMENTS, TAX & FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAYMENTS

Bubblegum will negotiate the best pay rate for the work your child does. Unlike other industries, every job within the entertainment industry varies when it comes to pay structure. This means that two similar jobs will pay completely different rates, dependant on variables.

The following table is a general pay rate guide only:

	TV	TV COMMERCIAL	PHOTOGRAPHIC	VOICEOVER
Children (under 16)	Leads/Bit Part/ Featured guest roles Negotiated fee, MEAA rate	Negotiated Rate	$85-$95 per hour	Subs. $160 approx. To Air Negotiated- depending on usage
	Extras No less than 50% of adult rate $18.61 per hour	Extras $18-$28 per hour Recalls/Screen test $30-$60	Stills to air Hourly rate Plus loading
		Traveling Time 25 KM from the GPO	Parades/ Showings Negotiated fee

Most Clients automatically deduct P.A.Y.G. Tax, in accordance with A.T.O. recommendations, from payments. However, there are times when a Client won’t. The standard tax rate is 20%.

Please be aware that payment from Clients can take up to 90 days or longer.

BUBBLEGUM'S COMMISSION

TAXES

Acting and modelling is a job, so you need to make yourself familiar with any obligations relating to earned income. This will vary depending on your location so it’s best to contact your local tax office for advice on rates applicable to your child’s earnings. Generally speaking, the rate in Australia is 20% and many clients will deduct this P.A.Y.G. tax from your child’s payment.  If they do not, it is your responsibility to ensure that any due tax is paid in full.  

All children need to have a tax file number before they get paid for their first job. There is no minimum age to apply for this. Please see the following information taken directly from the government website:

If your child is:

• Any age and they earn less than $120 per year from savings accounts per year, their financial institution will not withhold Tax 
  

• Less than 16 years old and earns between $120 and $420 from savings accounts per year and provides their date of birth and tax file number (TFN), the financial institution will not withhold tax and they don't need to lodge a tax return
  

• Doesn't provide either their date of birth or TFN, the financial institution will withhold pay as you go (PAYG) tax at 47% and they need to lodge a tax return if they want a refund 
  

• Less than 16 years old and earns $420 or more from savings accounts per year and provides their TFN, the financial institution will not withhold tax doesn't provide their TFN, the financial institution will withhold PAYG tax at 47% and they need to lodge a tax return if they want a refund 
  

• 16 or 17 years old, earns $120 or more from their savings account per year and provides their TFN, the financial institution will not withhold tax 
  

• Doesn't provide their TFN, the financial institution will withhold PAYG tax at 47% and they need to lodge a tax return if they want a refund. 
  

APPLYING FOR YOUR CHILD’S TFN

Fill in the application form at www.ato.gov.au. Print off the form and take it to a participating Post Office or newsagency with all of the relevant ID. Please note that if you are a parent or guardi- an signing on behalf of a TFN recipient that is under 16 years old, you will need to provide:

• Two proof of identity documents for the TFN Recipient
  

• Three proof of identity documents for yourself OR your own TFN
  

• A proof of eligibility document
  
  

If you are having any difficulty, please use the official government website as your first port of call. The Bubblegum team are not tax experts, and often you can google your queries before ringing up the office.

TAX FILE NUMBER DECLARATION FORM

Bubblegum requires a completed Tax File Number Declaration Form after a job is completed for invoicing purposes (please complete this form in black pen). Bubblegum cannot complete these forms on your child’s behalf. The invoicing process is more streamlined and speedy if we have several completed forms on file.

P.A.Y.G. Tax will generally be deducted by the Client. At the end of each financial year most companies will send Bubblegum their Talents’ Payment Summaries. Bubblegum will promptly forward these to you for taxation purposes.

CLAIMING TRAVEL

If a job’s location is more than approximately 25 kilometres from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane C.B.D. (depending on which branch represents your child), travel time and petrol can be claimed (please keep a record).

BANK ACCOUNTS

If your child does not have a bank account, then it’s time to get one for them. It’s highly unlikely that you will ever be paid in cash, and your child’s payment must go to an account in their name. 

It’s always encouraged to start saving from an early age, but at the same time, you want your child to understand the value of the work they are doing. 

With this in mind, it might be a good idea to allow your child a small percentage of their pay to spend as pocket money. Rather than rewarding them with a toy or gift each time they finish a job, allow them to manage their own pocket money and choose how they spend it. 

Of course, this is just a suggestion. As a parent, it’s up to you to make a decision on pocket money and savings that best suits your child.