YouTuber Taxes in Kansas - 2026 Guide

Updated for 2026 (Filing 2025 Taxes)

Tax Essentials for a YouTuber in Kansas

From showcasing the beauty of the Flint Hills to sharing gaming expertise, being a YouTuber in Kansas offers unique opportunities – and unique tax responsibilities. As a content creator earning income through platforms like YouTube, understanding federal and state tax obligations is crucial for remaining compliant with the law.

The IRS considers YouTube income as self-employment income. This means all earnings over $400 must be reported to the IRS on Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business) with your Form 1040. Crucially, this income is also subject to self-employment tax, covering both Social Security and Medicare contributions.

How Kansas Handles Gig Worker Taxes

As a resident of Kansas, a state income tax return is required even if federal income tax liability is zero. Kansas utilizes a graduated income tax system, meaning the tax rate increases as income rises. For the 2025 tax year, Kansas taxpayers will file using Form K-40. Self-employment income reported on your federal Schedule C must also be reported as part of your Kansas adjusted gross income. Kansas allows for a deduction for the self-employment tax paid, mirroring the federal treatment. Furthermore, Kansas offers several credits and deductions that may benefit YouTubers, such as those related to business expenses. It's important to note that Kansas also has a standard deduction amount that changes annually; be sure to check the current year's form instructions. Estimated tax payments may be required throughout the year if your tax liability is expected to exceed $1,000. Failing to make these payments can result in penalties. Kansas also has specific rules regarding the treatment of pass-through income, which may apply depending on the structure of any business entity established for YouTube activities. Staying informed about changes to Kansas tax law is vital, as rates and regulations can be updated annually.

For the most up-to-date information and forms, please visit the Kansas Department of Revenue: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/

Key Tax Deductions for Home-Based YouTubers

• Home Office Deduction: To qualify for the home office deduction, the space must be used exclusively and regularly for business. “Exclusive use” means that portion of your home is used solely for YouTube-related activities – it cannot double as a guest room or family space. “Regular use” means you use the space consistently for your business. 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 equipment essential to your YouTube channel is generally deductible. This includes computers, cameras, microphones, lighting, and editing software subscriptions (like Adobe Creative Cloud or Final Cut Pro). If an item has a useful life of more than one year (e.g., 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 80% of your internet usage is for YouTube-related work, you can deduct 80% of the bill. Maintaining detailed records to support this percentage is essential.

Note on Mileage: As a home-based worker, mileage deductions are less common for YouTubers. However, if you occasionally travel for client meetings, filming locations outside the home, or to purchase business supplies, you can deduct those miles using the standard mileage rate (set annually by the IRS).

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 is essentially the equivalent of the Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from an employee’s paycheck. As a self-employed individual, you are responsible for paying both the employer and employee portions of these taxes. However, you can deduct one-half of your self-employment tax from your gross income when calculating your adjusted gross income.