Streaming Tax Calculator
Estimate your quarterly federal tax payments as a self-employed streamer and find out exactly what percentage to set aside from your streaming income.
Filing status
All sources: subs, ads, bits, donations, sponsorships
Pushes streaming income into higher brackets
PC, mic, camera, % of internet, OBS plugins, etc. Consult a CPA for what qualifies.
Tax breakdown
How the calculation works
Streaming income is self-employment income (1099-NEC / Schedule C), which means you owe two layers of tax: self-employment tax (SE tax) and federal income tax.
Self-employment tax is 15.3% on 92.35% of your net SE income — covering Social Security (12.4%, capped at the SS wage base) and Medicare (2.9%). You can deduct half of this tax from your adjusted gross income.
Federal income tax is then applied to your remaining taxable income using standard bracket rates. Unlike a W-2 employee, no tax is withheld from streaming payments — so you're responsible for making estimated quarterly payments to the IRS (due January, April, June, and September).
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay taxes on streaming income?
Yes. Any streaming income — subs, bits, donations, ad revenue, sponsorships — is taxable self-employment income. You're required to report it on Schedule C and pay both SE tax and federal income tax.
What is self-employment tax?
SE tax is 15.3% of your net SE income (on 92.35% of earnings), covering Social Security and Medicare. Unlike a W-2 job where your employer pays half, self-employed people pay the full amount — though you can deduct half of it from your taxable income.
When are quarterly estimated taxes due?
IRS estimated tax due dates: January 15, April 15, June 16, and September 15. Missing these can result in an underpayment penalty, even if you pay your full tax bill by April.
What streaming expenses can I deduct?
Common deductions include your PC (business use %), microphone, camera, capture card, streaming software subscriptions, a percentage of your internet bill, and a home office deduction if you stream from a dedicated space. Keep receipts and consult a CPA — what qualifies depends on your situation.
Why doesn't this include state taxes?
State income tax rates vary from 0% (TX, FL, WA, NV, etc.) to over 13% (CA), making it impossible to calculate accurately without your specific state and city. After getting your federal estimate, add your state's top marginal rate as a rough additional buffer.