DarkChibiShadow
patreon
Patreon to roll out sales tax in July (uh-oh, they're gonna use a bot)
🕑 Added 2020-05-06 20:07:49 +0000 UTCSo, this morning I got a message from Patreon about them rolling out sales tax for everyone's page. I believe it starts July 1st which is still a ways away and most people will be paying less than $1 for the tax-- as it's based on your country/state/region/etc, you know how it goes.
The troublesome part is that Patreon will be determining what does and doesn't get taxed, and I quote, by "automatically detect(ing) what’s in your tiers based on keywords" and applying tax then. Bots are just... notoriously bad at this, especially since a lot of tiers seem to blur the line between what is and isn't taxable, according to Patreon's example list.
The full quote, for context:
"Patreon will automatically detect what’s in your tiers based on keywords, and apply the right tax rate for each patron’s location, so you don’t need to take any action and sales tax will be handled. "
Patreon gave us all a post we could copy to show all of you, and even the post is funny because there's a line that's like "I'm working closely with Patreon to make sure you get the best deal possible!" when that is a lie for most creators, we are just using the platform, we don't know anyone inside Patreon and it feels like we don't have much of a say at this point, haha.
I did think this part of the message they gave us was good info, though, so I'm posting it below:
"I wanted to give you an update on some changes that we’ll be seeing which may affect some of your pledges. Due to new laws passing in several countries and US states, Patreon will be required to start charging sales tax on some pledges starting July 1st.
Less than half of all patrons will be charged sales tax, and for most, the amount will be very small. For example, sales tax rates in the US range from 4% to 11%, so on a $5 pledge, that would be between 20 cents and 55 cents."
TLDR: Patreon to roll out sales tax on certain pledges in certain places come July 1st. Tax will be paid on your end, not my end (I already pay my tax) so this (hopefully) won't effect how much I am given, but will effect how much you're charged.
Hang in there everybody! Today's update is coming soon, just thought I should post this ASAP.
