PMU Taxes Explained: What Every Artist Needs to Know

Taxes… not exactly the most exciting topic, but one of the most important if you’re a PMU artist or business owner. 

In this throwback episode of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling breaks down the fundamentals of taxes, organization, and financial responsibility specifically for permanent makeup artists and small business owners. 

From quarterly tax payments to tracking your income and expenses, this episode walks through the habits that can help you avoid stress, stay compliant, and feel more confident running your business.

Because the reality is—many artists aren’t taught this side of the industry… and end up learning the hard way.

✨ In this episode, we cover:

• Why PMU artists should be paying quarterly taxes
• How to estimate what you owe using your previous year’s income
• The risks of waiting until the end of the year
• How to track your money in, money out, and net profit
• The importance of hiring a bookkeeper (or getting organized yourself)
• What counts as a write-off and how to save your receipts
• Why separating business and personal finances matters
• How to build better habits around money as a business owner

This episode is a reminder that building a successful PMU career isn’t just about your technique…
it’s about how you manage your business behind the scenes.

Because when you understand your numbers, everything changes.

📲 Follow us on Instagram for more PMU education, business tips, and behind-the-scenes content:
@GirlzInkStudio @TerynDarling

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV