How do you manage your first revenues as a streamer?

Tax returns for video game streamers

Once you start making money from streaming, it's normal to wonder about your tax obligations. The rules change depending on where you live, but usually, streaming income needs to be declared as extra income.

We recommend keeping accurate records of your streaming income and expenses. This includes viewer donations, subscriptions, advertising revenue, and other sources of income.

This info will come in handy when you're filling out your online tax return.

When should you file your tax return as a streamer?

As a streamer in France, the tax declaration period varies depending on your status and income. With a simplified system, such as the micro-enterprise system, you benefit from a simplified tax declaration, but keep a record of your income in a receipts book.

How to declare your streaming income

How you declare your streaming income depends on your professional status. If you're streaming as a hobby, your earnings are considered miscellaneous income. However, if streaming is becoming a regular or primary activity, you'll need to register as a sole proprietorship or consider creating a company.

What legal structure should I choose to become a professional video game streamer?

Criteria for content creators on Twitch when starting a business

The choice of legal structure will depend on your long-term goals and the complexity of your activities. A sole proprietorship may be appropriate to start with because it is easy to set up. However, depending on your income and future plans, also consider options such as creating a company. The type of business guides the choice of legal status.

Different statuses tailored for streamers

• Auto-Entrepreneur or Micro-Entrepreneur. You can create a sole proprietorship under the auto-entrepreneur (or micro-entrepreneur) scheme. This simplifies the administrative and tax formalities, but there are generally income limits to comply with.
• Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL) - Limited Liability Company (LLC). A SARL is a business entity that's separate from its owners. This means the streamer's business finances are separate from their personal finances. But, setting up a SARL usually involves more complex paperwork.
• Single-member Limited Liability Company (EURL). The EURL is a version of the SARL, tailored for individual entrepreneurs. It allows you to benefit from the advantages of a limited liability structure while operating as the sole member. This can be relevant for streamers looking to combine other activities with their channel, while protecting their personal assets.
• Simplified Joint Stock Company (SAS). An SAS also offers a separation between the streamer's personal and professional finances. However, it contains several options in terms of structure and management, making it a popular choice for individual entrepreneurs.

Steps to becoming a professional video game streamer

The financial management of a social gaming company

Creating good financial management allows any streamer who generates money with their content to become an accomplished streaming professional with millions of viewers. It is advisable to keep a precise record of your income from Twitch, Amazon, Youtube, Plarium or other dedicated stream game platforms and your expenses. Establish a budget and separate your personal and professional accounts. This will make it easier to understand the financial aspects of your online streaming activity.

The streamer's investments and equipment

Invest in quality equipment

When you start making money as an entrepreneur, you can invest in more powerful streamer equipment.

Make thoughtful investment decisions that can contribute to the growth of your channel and your community. Investing in a powerful connection and a high-end webcam ensures a stream with superior image quality for your viewers.

Using a professional microphone and lighting will improve your stream's connection with your community. Your audience engagement will be boosted by creating a logo, template, and image thumbnails in jpg format at a good price. This added visual quality to your content will help shape your channel's identity.

Improve the image quality of the stream

Investing in the right equipment, including a good microphone, is an important part of this job to reach millions of viewers on YouTube or other gaming platforms like Plarium. The Amazon platform also offers tools to help you improve the quality of your streams before broadcasting them.

You can use a template and other visuals to create a more professional viewing experience. You can add a striking image to your thumbnails. Images in jpg format are easier to download. Don't forget to set prices that are appropriate for your audience and be sure to include the link to your products or affiliations where appropriate. As a streaming entrepreneur, these steps become essential for working on platforms like Twitch.

Optimize community growth

Exploring options such as social gaming, present on platforms like Twitch, Amazon, or Plarium, allows you to diversify your content and strengthen the connection with your community. Consider using your template and logo to improve the visual aspect of your streams. Investments in your streaming activity can have a significant impact on the growth of your channel and your success in the online video game universe.

Career prospects for an online streamer

Diversifying income and partnership opportunities

As the audience of viewers grows, opportunities for partnerships and collaborations with brands and other creators emerge, paving the way for diversified revenue streams. The skills acquired as a streamer, from communication to content management, can also open doors in related fields such as digital marketing and consulting.

Build loyalty with your audience

Building a solid community around your streaming channel helps attract a loyal audience. Creating a logo and theme that reflects your identity will establish a connection between your different platforms and social networks for your viewers. Schedule game streams, a buying guide, or an online discussion. Your community will grow over time, your streams will gain connection, and you can generate more money thanks to loyal viewers. Social gaming opens up new perspectives for this profession by bringing millions of players together around collaborative and competitive streams.