26 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
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.
Only the business-use share is deductible. Anything you also use personally has to be split โ a blanket 100% claim on inherently recreational gear is the first thing an auditor will push on.
Any video games you buy to play and stream can be deducted.
Only the business-use share is deductible. Anything you also use personally has to be split โ a blanket 100% claim on inherently recreational gear is the first thing an auditor will push on.
Subscriptions like Nintendo Switch Online and Xbox Game Pass , plus in-game purchases, are write-offs for you.
Only the business-use share is deductible. Anything you also use personally has to be split โ a blanket 100% claim on inherently recreational gear is the first thing an auditor will push on.
Write off AI tools you use to edit videos, music, transcripts, or podcasts.
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.
Pay any one contractor $600 or more in a year and you'll need to file a Form 1099-NEC for them.
If you have an agent represent you, write off their fees or commissions.
The cut Stripe, PayPal, Square or your invoicing platform takes on each payment is a write-off.
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 โ if you use the actual expense method. The standard mileage rate already covers them.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are deductible if you use the actual expense method. Take the standard mileage rate instead and they're already baked into your per-mile deduction.
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 โ 50% of the tab.
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, your meals are 50% deductible โ takeout included. (Long-haul truck drivers subject to DOT hours-of-service rules can deduct 80%.)
If you work from home ...
You likely do the bulk of your video game streaming from home โ 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. Anything over about $2,500 gets depreciated on Form 4562 instead of written off all at once.
Repairs just for your home office are 100% deductible. Repairs to the rest of your home count too, prorated by your business-use percentage on Form 8829.
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.
You need internet to do your job! If you claim a home office, deduct it prorated on Form 8829 along with your other utilities. Internet you pay for on the road, purely for work, is 100% deductible.
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