Let’s face it, taxes can be a lot – while we aren’t able to offer specific advice for how to file your taxes, we’ve compiled this list of frequently asked questions from creators to help you navigate this tax season with more ease.
Is the money I earned from Patreon “taxable income”?
In many jurisdictions, the money you receive from your patrons is considered taxable income.
If you are a legally recognized not-for-profit company (for example, a USA 501(C)(3) charity), then you might not need to pay tax on your Patreon income. A local tax advisor would know for certain, so we encourage you to reach out to one for additional information.
Learn more about being a non-profit creator, here: Can non-profits use Patreon?
If you are a legally recognized not-for-profit company (for example, a USA 501(C)(3) charity), then you might not need to pay tax on your Patreon income. A local tax advisor would know for certain, so we encourage you to reach out to one for additional information.
Learn more about being a non-profit creator, here: Can non-profits use Patreon?
Does Patreon withhold any taxes from my payments?
No – Patreon doesn’t withhold anything (aside from our fees) from your funds earned on Patreon. You can see your gross earnings by visiting the Statements section of your Taxes dashboard.
How does Patreon calculate my gross earnings?
To calculate your gross earnings, we take the total amount processed payments from your patrons before refunds and deduct fees (platform fee, and processing fees).
Your gross earnings for a given year will be available in the Statement section of your Taxes dashboard.
Your gross earnings for a given year will be available in the Statement section of your Taxes dashboard.
What is the W-9 Form?
The W-9 form is used in a wide range of payment situations, but most commonly, taxpayers fill them out when they are working as a freelancer or independent contractor rather than an employee. The purpose of collecting the W-9 form is to record your tax identification number, along with your name and address so Patreon can notify the IRS of the amount earned in a calendar year.
Patreon requires creators who meet certain earnings thresholds to complete the W-9 form to generate a 1099-K – please review the section below to find out if you meet those earnings thresholds.
Patreon requires creators who meet certain earnings thresholds to complete the W-9 form to generate a 1099-K – please review the section below to find out if you meet those earnings thresholds.
Do I need to submit a W-9?
Creators who are US citizens, and reach one of the thresholds listed below will need to submit a W-9 form with Patreon through your creator payout and taxes settings page:
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US State
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Earnings
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All US States
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$20k+ USD in a calendar year
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Illinois
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$1000+ USD in a calendar year
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Maryland, Massachusetts, Vermont, Virginia
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$600+ USD in a calendar year
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How do I submit a W-9 form?
To complete a W-9 form for your Patreon, follow the directions below:
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- Log in to your Patreon account.
- Once logged into your account click the gear icon in the left menu to open your Settings.
- Click into the Payouts and Taxes settings from the menu bar.
- Scroll to the “Tax settings” section at the bottom of the page.
- Click on the “Fill out W-9 form” button to access an electronic W-9 form.
For detailed instructions on how to complete your W-9 form, we recommend reviewing the IRS instructions for completing your W-9.
What is the Form 1099-K?
Form 1099-K, is an IRS information return used to report certain payment transactions to improve voluntary tax compliance.
Will I receive a Form 1099-K?
Creators who reach the following earnings thresholds in a calendar year are subject to receive a form 1099-K from Patreon:
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US State
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Earnings
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All US States
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$20k+ USD in a calendar year
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Illinois
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$1000+ USD in a calendar year
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Maryland, Massachusetts, Vermont, Virginia
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$600+ USD in a calendar year
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To receive the 1099-K form, Patreon requires creators to submit the W-9 form once they meet thresholds listed in the above chart.
For additional detail regarding the requirement, we've created this help center article: Will I receive a 1099 form?
What is a TIN?
A Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is an identification number used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the administration of tax laws. It is issued either by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or by the IRS. A Social Security number (SSN) is issued by the SSA whereas all other TINs are issued by the IRS.
Is my personal information secure on Patreon?
Real-Time TIN Verification makes it possible to proactively validate your information and check individual data against the IRS TIN matching database, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list and Death Master File (DMF) as you submit your form.
All information provided is secure. We encrypt your forms with 2048bit RSA encryption. Each time you want to update your W-9, you will have to submit an entirely new form.
All information provided is secure. We encrypt your forms with 2048bit RSA encryption. Each time you want to update your W-9, you will have to submit an entirely new form.
Does Patreon handle VAT, QST, GST, or Sales Tax?
Maybe! It depends on the jurisdiction. If we do, there's nothing you need to do or worry about. We'll calculate and add the tax due on top of the patron's pledge, collect it, and remit it to the taxing authority of the patron directly. Find a list of places where this is the case, here: Where is Patreon collecting tax, and what are the tax rates?
Do I receive any tax forms from Patreon?
If you are an international creator, or a US creator and you did not reach the earnings thresholds that would warrant a 1099-K form, you will not receive a 1099-K, or any other tax forms.
You can find out how much you made on Patreon in the previous calendar year by downloading the CSV of your Earnings report. Your gross earnings will be listed in the Statement section of your Taxes dashboard. Learn more about the Form 1099-K, here: Will I receive a 1099-K form?
I am a US citizen living outside of the US which tax form should I fill out?
I have not paid US taxes, I don't earn income in the US nor do I live or own anything in the US.
- Based on the instruction on the W-8BEN if you are a US citizen you should fill out a W-9. Your income from Patreon may be subject to 1099 reporting.
- Please review our help guide to find out if you'll receive a 1099-K: Will I receive a 1099-K form?
- Please refer to the W-8BEN form for more instructions, here: Instructions for Form W-8BEN. Consult with a tax professional to determine your tax responsibilities.