Why Independent Artists Must File Taxes with SARS When Receiving Royalties
As an independent South African artist, every royalty payment your distributor sends you — whether from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, radio airplay, or a licensing deal — counts as income in the eyes of the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Many artists think, “I’m small; SARS won’t care,” but ignoring your tax obligations can lead […]
Why Music Publishing and Licensing Matter in South Africa
In South Africa’s vibrant and ever-evolving music industry, talent alone is not enough. The real foundation of a sustainable career lies in ownership and protection of your creative work. Whether you are a songwriter, producer, or performer, understanding and managing your music publishing and licensing rights ensures you are paid fairly whenever your music is […]
An Update for Indigenous Tunes Artists RegardingSpotify’s Court Win and What It Means for YourRoyalties
We at Indigenous Tunes are committed to empowering and educating our artists. We’rewriting to let you know about a major shift in the music streaming sector that may havea big effect on your royalties. We want to make sure you know what this implies for you.A recent court decision in the United States gave Spotify […]
Navigating the Waves: How Currency Fluctuations Impact Your Music Royalties
Musicians, Your Royalties Deserve Clarity As you pour your heart and soul into your music, it’s essential to understand the factors that influence your earnings, particularly your monthly royalty payouts. One major player is the fluctuation of currency exchange rates, especially between the US dollar (USD) and the South African rand (ZAR). Let’s explore how […]
How the Copyright Amendment Bill Could Change the Game for Indigenous Tunes and Artists
In recent years, the South African music industry has been closely monitoring theongoing discussions about the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers’Protection Amendment Bill. Recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa made a significantmove by sending these bills to the Constitutional Court for review. This action could leadto substantial changes in how companies like Indigenous Tunes a music […]