How to Report Income from Multiple Platforms as an Influencer
- Arnold Shields
- Jul 24, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: May 12
How to Track and Report Income from YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Beyond: A Guide for Australian Influencers
Being a content creator in Australia comes with exciting opportunities, and serious financial responsibilities. Whether you're earning from YouTube ads, Instagram brand deals, TikTok gifts, or affiliate marketing, one thing is clear: the ATO wants it all reported.
This guide gives you the tools and strategies to accurately track and report income across all your platforms. It’s your roadmap to staying compliant and keeping your finances in order.
Consolidate All Income Sources
Start with one centralised report. Whether it’s a spreadsheet or accounting software, you need a full picture of your earnings.
Set up a spreadsheet with columns for:
Platform (YouTube, Instagram, etc.)
Income type (ads, sponsorships, affiliate commissions)
Date received
Amount earned
Update it regularly. Missing income—even gifts or perks—can lead to ATO scrutiny.
Categorise Income by Type
Knowing how you’re earning helps with deductions and tax planning:
Ad Revenue (e.g., YouTube AdSense)
Sponsorships (Instagram stories, TikTok collabs)
Affiliate Marketing (Amazon, RewardStyle, etc.)
Product Sales (e.g., merch or digital downloads)
Services (like consulting or shoutouts)
Reporting Platform-Specific Income
YouTube
Ad revenue: Paid monthly via Google AdSense.
Super Chats: Include payments from livestreams.
Sponsorships: Log all direct payments and agreements.
Sponsored posts: Keep emails and contracts.
Affiliate earnings: Use platform dashboards for reports.
TikTok
Creator Fund: Log payments from TikTok.
Virtual gifts: Convert to dollar value and record.
Why Income Tracking Matters
ATO Compliance
Prevents underreporting penalties.
Essential if you’re audited.
Financial Clarity
Helps with budgeting, forecasting, and growth planning.
Claiming Deductions
Knowing your income type helps tie deductions directly to earning activities.
Recommended Tools for Influencers
Accounting Software
Xero: Best for real-time income tracking and bank integrations.
QuickBooks: Ideal for categorising income and generating reports.
FreshBooks: Freelancer-friendly, with project-based tracking.
Spreadsheets
Google Sheets or Excel: Flexible and free for manual tracking.
Add formulas to automate totals and summaries.
Financial Apps
Hubdoc: Pulls and stores invoices and receipts.
Expensify: Tracks and categorises expenses.
Mint: Gives a real-time view of your financial position.
Don’t Risk It – Get Professional Help
Staying on top of your influencer income isn’t optional, it’s essential. But you don’t have to go it alone.
Call Dolman Bateman on 02 9411 5422. We'll help you sort your influencer income, stay tax compliant, and unlock your business potential. Let’s get your financial house in order, the smart way.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial, legal or tax advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this content at the time of publication, tax laws and regulations may change, and individual circumstances vary. Dolman Bateman accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of acting on or relying upon any of the information contained herein. You should seek professional advice tailored to your specific situation before making any financial or tax decision.
