Tax deductions for streamers & gamers
As a streamer you can generally claim the PC, peripherals and capture gear you stream with, plus the work share of your internet — and subs, bits, donations and tournament winnings from a business activity are income you declare.
Gaming and streaming is one of the largest digital side hustles among under-35s, and the setup behind it carries real deductions — the streaming PC and peripherals, capture gear, broadcasting software and the upload-heavy share of your internet. Noting the work-versus-personal split on your gear as you buy it is what turns that into a clean claim, and it also makes the income side — subs, bits, sponsorships and prize money — simple to total.
The three rules for any claim
- You paid for it yourself and weren’t reimbursed.
- It directly relates to earning your income.
- You have a record — a receipt, invoice or bank statement.
Checked against ATO guidance: August 2026
What you can usually claim
Streaming PC, console and peripherals
The work-related share of the machine you stream on, plus capture cards, microphones, cameras, stream decks and headsets. Higher-cost items are usually claimed over their effective life.
Internet and connectivity
The work-related portion of your internet — often significant for streamers given upload requirements. Keep a record supporting the split you use.
Software, overlays and music licences
Broadcasting and editing software, overlay and alert services, and properly licensed music or sound effects used on stream.
Platform and payment fees
Fees deducted by platforms, payment processors or your talent agency on income you earn are generally deductible against that income.
Home streaming space running costs
The running costs of the area you stream from — electricity, heating and cooling — apportioned to work use.
Buying bigger gear: what happens at tax time
A streaming PC or a new GPU on an ABN with GST registration splits into two things: the GST credit you claim on the activity statement now, and the cost you claim over the machine’s effective life. Personal gaming hours reduce the work-related share of each year’s deduction — the carried value stays the full cost, the claim is what shrinks.
General information, not personal tax advice. What you can claim depends on your circumstances — check the ATO's own occupation guides or a registered tax agent, and keep records for every claim.
Keep in mind
- Games, hardware and subscriptions bought purely for personal enjoyment.
- The private share of your internet, power or console use.
- Everyday clothing worn on stream.
Where mistakes happen
The claims most likely to get adjusted — not because they're disallowed outright, but because the split or the timing was off.
- Claiming the full cost of an expensive streaming PC in one year instead of depreciating it over its effective life.
- Not declaring subs, bits or donations paid through an overseas platform — foreign-sourced income is still assessable for an Australian resident.
Take it further
Your income tax, Medicare levy and take-home pay on any salary.
AI2Fin for creators →Every payout in one number, gear and all
Track it: the asset register →Log the purchase once and AI2Fin carries the effective life, the yearly deduction and the private-use share for you.
ABN (Australian Business Number) →The 11-digit number that identifies your business.
Sole trader →The simplest business structure — you and the business are one.
Depreciation (decline in value) →Claiming the cost of a big asset gradually over its life.
Effective life →How many years an asset is expected to be used — the base of every depreciation rate.
Capital purchase (GST on Capital) →An asset you buy to use over years — G10 on the BAS, then depreciated.
Streamers & gamers — common questions
Are Twitch subs, bits and donations taxable in Australia?
Payments you receive through a platform — subscriptions, bits, Super Chats and similar tips — are generally income where your streaming is a business activity, and are declared in your tax return. This holds even when the platform pays you from overseas. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Is my gaming PC fully deductible?
Only the work-related share. If the same machine is used for personal gaming, you apportion between work and private use, and higher-cost hardware is generally claimed over its effective life rather than all at once. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Are esports tournament winnings taxed?
It depends on whether your gaming amounts to carrying on a business rather than a hobby — factors include how regular, organised and profit-directed the activity is. Prize money from a business activity is generally assessable. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Can I claim my internet bill as a streamer?
You can claim the work-related portion, and for streamers it is often a significant share because of the upload requirements. The private share of the same connection is not claimable, so keep a record that supports the split you use rather than settling on a round number at tax time. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Are the fees Twitch or my agency takes out deductible?
Generally yes. Fees deducted by platforms, payment processors or your talent agency on income you earn are typically claimable against that income. Because they come out before the money reaches you, note the gross amount and the fee separately so the full figure is there when you need it. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
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