The live streaming industry has experienced explosive growth in recent years, with Twitch leading the charge. In 2021, Twitch boasted an average of 2.5 million concurrent viewers and over 7 million unique creators streaming each month. It's no wonder that many aspiring entrepreneurs are looking to tap into this lucrative market. But before you start your journey to becoming the next streaming sensation, let's dive into the legal and financial considerations you'll need to address.
When starting your Twitch streaming business, you'll need to decide on a business structure. While it's possible to operate as a sole proprietor, forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or an S Corporation can provide you with personal liability protection and potential tax benefits. Here are a few reasons why:
While you may not need any special licenses or permits to start streaming on Twitch, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Starting a Twitch streaming business can be relatively inexpensive compared to other ventures, but you'll still need some capital to get started. Here's a breakdown of the equipment you'll need:
In total, you can expect to spend around $2,000-$3,000 to get your streaming setup up and running. But don't worry, with a bit of creativity and some savvy budget hacks, you can cut costs while still delivering a top-notch streaming experience. Just remember, it's not about the size of your equipment, it's how you use it! (Wink, wink.)
List of required licenses below include online as well as home or Amazon businesses.
1. Twitch Streamer The majority of starting businesses need a(n) , Foley business tax id registration (business license).
2. Twitch Streamer Businesses with an trade firm name other than the owner's legal name are required to get a(n) Baldwin County DBA ( doing business as ) fictitious business name.
3. In AL you may also need a sales tax ID AKA seller's permit if you sell merchandise that is taxable. ( A.K.A Alabamaseller's permit, state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
4. You will need a federal and a state EIN if you will hire employees. I.e., a AL Federal Tax ID Number and a(n) AL State Employer Tax Number.
5. Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Foley, Incorporate in AL or form a(n) LLC.
99% of new businesses are required to get a(n) , Foley business tax id registration (business license).
Businesses with an trade firm name other than the owner's legal name are required to get a(n) Baldwin County DBA ( doing business as ) fictitious business name.
On the other hand you may also need a sales tax ID AKA seller's permit if you sell merchandise that is taxable. (A.K.A Alabamaseller's permit, state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
In addition you will need a federal and a state EIN if you will hire employees. I.e., a AL Federal EIN and a(n) AL State Employer EIN
Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Foley, Incorporate in AL or form a(n) AL LLC
On the other hand you may also need a resale id AKA sellers permit if you sell merchandise that is taxable. (A.K.A Alabamaseller's permit, state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
In addition you will need a federal and a state EIN if you will be an employer. I.e., a AL Federal Tax Id Number and a(n) AL State Employer Tax Number