How VAT works for creators on Patreon

  • Updated

What is VAT?

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax assessed on the value added to goods and services — including digital. It’s charged as a percentage of a price (e.g. $1.00 pledge with 23% VAT will have a final cost of $1.23).

The European Union dictates that VAT is determined by the location of the consumer, not the location of the business. This applies to independent content creators, including those using Patreon. In Patreon’s case, patrons are the consumers. 

How VAT works on Patreon

Rather than putting the burden of calculating and collecting VAT on creators, Patreon handles it for you. We present and charge VAT at the applicable rate for your eligible patrons. We also take care of the filing and remittance of VAT payments we process. 

Even so, each country handles VAT differently. We recommend consulting with a local tax advisor for the following reasons: 

  • Getting information on potential VAT due if you offer physical or other goods besides digital services on Patreon 
  • Getting confirmation that by using Patreon you will not be required to register for and collect VAT

Here’s a list of VAT rates by country that you can refer to, VAT rates.

How does Patreon collect VAT?

Eligible patrons will have VAT added to their membership payment. VAT charges are processed and remitted via Patreon – your earnings are in no way affected by the VAT we collect, as it’s in addition to the price for joining your membership. VAT will be listed and calculated for patrons when they get to the checkout page of the joining process. 

The VAT rate patrons are charged depends on the location they’ve set in their Profile settings. If the patron hasn’t provided this information, VAT will be applied based on their location at the time that they start their membership. 

How can I keep track of VAT my patrons pay?

We keep track of the amount of VAT collected from your patrons categorized by country. Here’s how you can access VAT paid on your behalf:

  1. Log in to your creator account 
  2. Click on the Payouts button from the left-side navigation 
  3. Click on the Statements tab and scroll down to the bottom of the page
  4. VAT collected and paid for your patrons will be listed in the Sales tax report 
  5. Click the Download button to get a breakdown of sales tax, including VAT by the country or state in the U.S.

This page also includes a table for any sales tax paid by patrons subject to additional taxes in the United States. 

Pro and Premium creators: If you need a more granular breakdown of where individual patrons are located, you can add our shipping address request feature. This feature prompts patrons to put a shipping address on file with your membership when they join – existing patrons will have the option to manually add an address from their Active memberships list. 

What is Patreon’s VAT number?

Patreon is registered in the following jurisdictions, with the following registration numbers:

 

EU VATMOSS
EU372009942
Australia
ARN 300017729371
Belarus
102399453
Canada
783686306 RT9999
Canada
(British Columbia)
PST14643469
Canada
(Manitoba)
134604-8
Canada (Quebec)
NR00014222
Canada
(Saskatchewan)
PST7465131
Iceland
138338
New Zealand
134-200-197
Norway
463115122
Russia
9909568799
Singapore
M90373670R
South Korea
572-80-01729
Taiwan
A030930804
Thailand
993000461754
Turkey
7230798911
United Kingdom
372418593
While Patreon will report and remit all funds collected from patrons to the home country/state of the patron, please check with your local authorities for information on any local filing requirements you may have as a creator.

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