25 Tax Write-Offs for Video Game Streamers
NAICS business codeYour NAICS business code is a six-digit string of numbers that shows the type of work your business does. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. When you do your taxes, you'll enter it in Box B of your Schedule C.518210
Reviewed bya tax professionalThis content has been reviewed by an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS — the highest credential awarded by the agency. Enrolled Agents are empowered to represent all taxpayers before the IRS, on all types of tax-related matters. Accountants who earn this certification have passed a comprehensive three-part exam on individual and business tax returns. To maintain EA status, they must stay up to date in the field by completing 72 hours of continuing education every three years.Does thinking about filing your self-employment taxes give you a twitch? It's time to come up with a game plan that will help you approach the process with more confidence.
You can start by looking through our list of top write-offs for video game streamers. Whether you stream on Twitch, YouTube Gaming, or another platform, if any of these expenses apply to you, you should use them to lower your taxable income.
The gaming systems you use to stream, like your Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch, can be written off.
Any video games you buy to play and stream can be deducted.
Subscriptions like Nintendo Switch Online and Xbox Game Pass, plus in-game purchases, are write-offs for you.
Headsets, cameras, and any other equipment for streaming can be written off.
Decorations, posters, and other props you set up in your streaming background are deductible.
Ad campaigns on Google, Meta, TikTok, and more are all deductible on your taxes.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
If you need to hire an editor, designer, photographer, or other creative pro, write off what you pay them.
If you have an agent represent you, write off their fees or commissions.
If you drive for work ...
Ready, Player One? If you drive your car to attend streaming meetups or to pick up new video games, it's time to start writing off your car expenses.
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
Business meal deductions can be a game changer for video game streamers who often meet with video game developers, marketing managers, or fellow streamers to talk about work.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
Traveling to another city for a collaboration with other streamers or to attend a gaming conference counts as a business trip. Go ahead and write off your travel costs!
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write-offs.
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
If you work from home ...
You likely do the bulk of your video game streaming from home — as well as other work tasks, like watching other streamers, working on your personal brand, and creating marketing assets.
Sound like you? Then you can deduct a portion of home office expenses from your taxes.
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? Your water bill counts.
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
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