Question 1

How much is 100 Twitch bits worth after fees?

Accepted Answer

100 Twitch Bits are worth exactly $1.00 to the streamer. Twitch's fee is taken from the viewer when they purchase the Bits, so the streamer receives the full value of the Cheer. The main cost to the streamer is the income tax they will owe on that $1.00.

Question 2

What percentage does YouTube take from Super Chats?

Accepted Answer

YouTube takes a 30% cut of all Super Chat, Super Sticker, and Channel Membership revenue. So, if a viewer sends a $10 Super Chat, the creator receives $7 before taxes. This is a significant platform fee compared to other donation methods.

Question 3

Do streamers get the full value of PayPal donations?

Accepted Answer

No. While it's a direct donation, PayPal charges a transaction fee. The standard rate is typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. This means for a $10 donation, a streamer would receive approximately $9.41 before taxes. This is why many streamers prefer larger, less frequent donations to minimize the impact of the flat fee.

Question 4

How do Kick tips compare to Twitch bits in 2025?

Accepted Answer

Kick.com has a very creator-friendly 95/5 split on subscription revenue, and they have stated their intention to apply a similar model to tips or 'Kicks' in the future, meaning the creator would keep 95%. This is a significant advantage over Twitch, where the platform's cut on Bits is taken from the buyer upfront.

Question 5

How should I split tips between multiple creators on a collab stream?

Accepted Answer

For collab streams, it's best to use a third-party tool that can automatically split donations. If doing it manually, you should agree on a split beforehand (e.g., 50/50, or weighted by each creator's viewership). It's crucial to be transparent with your audience about how the funds are being divided.

Question 6

Are donations taxable income for streamers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. In most countries, including the US, income from Twitch Bits, Super Chats, and direct PayPal donations is considered taxable income and must be reported to the relevant tax authority. Streamers are typically considered self-employed and must pay income and self-employment taxes.

Question 7

What are realistic monthly donations for small, medium, and large streamers?

Accepted Answer

This varies wildly, but as a rough estimate: a small streamer (25-75 viewers) might earn $50-$300/month. A medium streamer (200-500 viewers) could see $500-$2,500/month. A large streamer (2000+ viewers) can earn anywhere from $5,000 to over $50,000 per month in donations alone.

Question 8

How do chargebacks affect monthly net donations?

Accepted Answer

Chargebacks, primarily an issue with PayPal/credit card donations, can be very damaging. When a chargeback occurs, the streamer loses the original donation amount and is often hit with an additional fee (e.g., $20) from the payment processor. A high chargeback rate can significantly reduce net income.

Question 9

How do I encourage donations without violating platform rules?

Accepted Answer

The best way is to provide value and build a community. Never demand donations. Instead, use alerts to thank donors publicly, set clear donation goals for stream improvements (new mic, new game), and create a positive, engaging environment where viewers feel happy to support you.

Question 10

How to convert donation units (bits, coins) to USD?

Accepted Answer

Each platform has a set conversion rate. For Twitch, 1 Bit = $0.01 USD for the streamer. For TikTok, 1 Coin is roughly worth $0.005 to the creator after their 50% cut. It's important to check the specific platform's policy as these rates can change.

Question 11

Can donations trigger payment holds or delays?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Large, unexpected spikes in donation volume can trigger fraud alerts with payment processors like PayPal or Stripe, leading to a temporary hold on funds while they verify the transactions. To avoid this, it's good to have a consistent history of receiving donations.

Question 12

How to create a donor leaderboard without violating privacy?

Accepted Answer

Always make leaderboards opt-in. Use the donor's public streaming platform username, not their real name or email. Never display the exact amount unless they consent; instead, use tiers or ranks. Most third-party streaming tools that provide leaderboards have these privacy features built-in.

Donations & Tips Calculator — Twitch Bits, YouTube Super Chat, Kick Tips & Stream Donations (2025)

How Donations & Tips Work for Streamers — Bits, Super Chat, Tips, Split Payouts & Taxes