Twitch Streamer Taxes in Kansas - 2026 Guide

Updated for 2026 (Filing 2025 Taxes)

Tax Essentials for a Twitch Streamer in Kansas

From the rolling hills of the Flint Hills to the bustling city of Wichita, building a community on Twitch is becoming an increasingly popular way to earn income in Kansas. However, alongside the fun and engagement comes the responsibility of understanding and fulfilling tax obligations.

As a Twitch streamer operating as an independent contractor in Kansas, the IRS considers your streaming income self-employment income. This means you are responsible for reporting all earnings on Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business) with your Form 1040, and paying self-employment taxes – covering both Social Security and Medicare – on net earnings exceeding $400.

How Kansas Handles Gig Worker Taxes

As a resident of Kansas, you are required to file a state income tax return, even if your federal tax liability is zero. Kansas utilizes a graduated income tax system, meaning the tax rate increases as your income rises. For the 2025 tax year, Kansas income tax rates are expected to remain similar to prior years, with brackets ranging from 3.1% to 7.8%. The primary form for self-employed individuals to report income and calculate Kansas income tax is Form K-40.

Kansas also allows for several deductions that can reduce your taxable income. These include the federal deductions you're already taking (like those discussed below), as well as potential state-specific deductions. It's important to note that Kansas does not automatically conform to all federal tax changes, so staying updated on any differences is crucial. Kansas also has a provision for deducting contributions to Kansas 529 plans, which could be beneficial for long-term savings. Furthermore, Kansas offers a standard deduction amount that changes annually; be sure to check the current year's instructions for Form K-40 to determine the correct amount. Accurate record-keeping is vital to substantiate any deductions claimed on your Kansas return.

For more detailed information and resources regarding Kansas state taxes, please visit the Kansas Department of Revenue website: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/

Key Tax Deductions for Home-Based Twitch Streamers

• Home Office Deduction: To qualify for the home office deduction, the space must be used exclusively and regularly for your streaming business. “Exclusive use” means that portion of your home is used solely for streaming – it can’t double as a guest room or family space. “Regular use” means you use it consistently for your streaming activities. You can calculate the deduction using the simplified method ($5 per square foot, up to 300 square feet) or the actual expense method (calculating a percentage of your mortgage/rent, utilities, etc., based on the square footage used for business).
• Hardware & Software: The cost of essential hardware like your computer, webcam, microphone, and streaming software (including subscription costs for services like Adobe Creative Cloud or stream hosting platforms) are generally deductible as business expenses. If an item has a useful life of more than one year (like a computer), it may need to be depreciated over several years.
• Internet & Phone Bill: You can deduct the business-use percentage of your internet and phone bills. For example, if you use your internet 75% for streaming and 25% for personal use, you can deduct 75% of the cost.

Note on Mileage: As a predominantly home-based streamer, mileage deductions are less common. However, if you occasionally travel for streaming-related events, client meetings, or to purchase equipment, you can deduct those business miles using the standard mileage rate (set annually by the IRS) or actual expenses.

The 15.3% Self-Employment Tax Explained

The 15.3% self-employment tax is comprised of two parts: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. This tax covers contributions that are typically handled by an employer when you are a traditional employee. You are responsible for paying both the employer and employee portions of these taxes as a self-employed individual.