Twitch Streamer Taxes in New Hampshire - 2026 Guide

Updated for 2026 (Filing 2025 Taxes)

Tax Essentials for a Twitch Streamer in New Hampshire

From the White Mountains to the Seacoast, building a community on Twitch is a growing pursuit for Granite Staters. However, alongside the fun and engagement comes the responsibility of understanding tax obligations. Revenue earned through Twitch streaming is generally considered self-employment income, requiring careful tracking and reporting to both the federal government and, to a lesser extent, the state of New Hampshire.

The IRS requires all self-employed individuals earning over $400 in net profit to file Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) with their Form 1040. This income is then subject to self-employment tax, which covers both Social Security and Medicare contributions. Accurate record-keeping of income and expenses is crucial for maximizing deductions and minimizing tax liability.

How New Hampshire Handles Gig Worker Taxes

New Hampshire is unique in that it does not have a broad-based income tax. This means Twitch streamers in the Granite State are fortunate enough to avoid state income tax on their streaming earnings. However, this does not exempt streamers from federal tax obligations. The federal government still requires reporting of all income, and self-employment taxes still apply. New Hampshire does levy taxes on interest and dividends, but these are generally not applicable to typical Twitch streaming income. Furthermore, New Hampshire’s business tax structure, specifically the Business Profits Tax (BPT) and the Business Enterprise Tax (BET), generally doesn’t apply to individual streamers operating as sole proprietors unless they meet specific revenue thresholds or employ others. It’s important to note that while New Hampshire prides itself on a low-tax environment, federal tax laws remain fully in effect. Many New Hampshire streamers benefit from the state’s pro-business climate, allowing them to reinvest earnings back into their streams without the burden of state income tax. For the most up-to-date information on New Hampshire business taxes, please visit the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration: https://www.revenue.nh.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 Twitch streaming business. “Exclusive use” means that portion of your home is used solely for streaming – it cannot double as a guest room or family room. “Regular use” means you use the space consistently for 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 and software used for streaming is generally deductible. This includes your computer, webcam, microphone, lighting, streaming software subscriptions (like OBS Studio Pro), graphic design software (like Adobe Creative Cloud), and any hosting fees associated with your stream.
• 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. Maintaining detailed records of usage is important to support this deduction.

Note on Mileage: As a predominantly home-based worker, mileage deductions are less common for Twitch streamers. However, if you occasionally travel for streaming-related events, client meetings, or to purchase equipment, you can deduct those business-related miles using the standard mileage rate set 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 employer and employee portions of these taxes when you are traditionally employed. It’s calculated on your net earnings (income minus business expenses) exceeding $400.