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Memberships and Patreon
Patreon lets creators offer paid memberships and sell one-off items such as digital goods, posts or collections <a href="https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-gb/articles/16733504643597-Pricing-FAQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Patreon</a>. It is free to set up, but fees are taken from successful payments, so plan benefits you can keep delivering and check the likely costs before launching.
Open the interactive guide (checklist, video, read-aloud) →In plain words
- You make work that people want to support.
- Members pay for benefits you choose to offer.
- You can also sell a one-off digital item.
- Patreon takes fees when you make a sale.
- Start small and promise only what you can manage.
Who it suits
It may suit creators who already make things people value—such as art, writing, videos, music or learning resources—and can offer useful ongoing member benefits. It is less suited to someone who wants guaranteed or immediate income.
People may pay to support work they value and receive useful extras, such as new art, writing, videos or learning resources. A one-off digital item can also suit someone who does not want a membership.
Step by step
- Choose who you want to support your work. Think about the people who already enjoy your art, writing, videos, music or learning resources. Choose one or two benefits you can keep making, rather than offering everything at once. About 30-60 minutes.
- Give your page a clear theme and description. Write a short description of what you make and what members will receive. Say what is included and what is not, using examples rather than vague promises. About 30-90 minutes.
- Set up your page and review the options. Look through Patreon’s membership and one-time purchase options before choosing. Setting up is free; fees begin when you earn through paid memberships or one-time purchases Patreon. About 1-2 hours.
- Choose a manageable offer and price. Start with one offer that feels realistic to deliver. Estimate what remains after the platform fee, payment processing, any applicable taxes and payout costs; fees depend on plan and payment details Patreon. About 45-90 minutes.
- Decide whether to sell a one-off item. Consider a digital download, post or collection for people who do not want recurring membership. Listing these items is free, but successful sales have fees Patreon. About 30-60 minutes.
- Prepare one sample benefit. Make a sample post or item before inviting people to join. Check that it is complete, clear and something you could continue to produce; do not promise a benefit just because it looks impressive. About 1-3 hours.
- Make a realistic posting plan. Write down when you expect to make and share each benefit. Leave room for rest and unexpected changes, and avoid promising a schedule you may not be able to maintain. About 30-45 minutes.
- Invite interested people without pressure. Tell people who may genuinely value the work what the page offers. Explain the price and benefits plainly, and make it easy for them to decide without repeated messages. About 30-60 minutes.
- Review payments and keep your own records. After launch, review fees and payment records in Patreon’s Earnings area; Patreon guidance says monthly fees and taxes can be reviewed there Patreon. Keep your own record of income and costs too. About 15-30 minutes each month.
Your first 15 minutes
Draft your page description and one realistic member benefit, then ask a few people in your intended audience whether the offer is clear and useful.
The money
Choose a price that reflects the time and cost of making the benefit, while staying clear about what members receive. Work out what remains after platform and payment fees, any applicable taxes and payout costs; do not treat the remaining amount as guaranteed income.
Example only: one £10 membership payment, for a page published after 4 August 2025, using the listed standard GBP processing rate: £10 − £1.00 (10% platform fee) − £0.69 (3.4% + £0.35 processing) = £8.31 before tax, payout costs or other applicable charges <a href="https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-gb/articles/11111747095181-Creator-fees-overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Patreon</a>. One €10 payment at the listed standard EUR rate gives €10 − €1.00 − €0.69 = €8.31 before tax, payout costs or other applicable charges <a href="https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-gb/articles/11111747095181-Creator-fees-overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Patreon</a>.
The rules
You can generally earn money from memberships and digital items in the UK and Ireland. You must follow the tax and consumer rules that apply to you. Patreon and payment-processing fees can reduce what you receive. Check Patreon’s current fees and terms. If you’re unsure, ask the relevant tax or consumer advice service.
UK and Northern Ireland
- Trading income and tax. The trading allowance covers the first £1,000 of your trading income each year. This is your gross income before expenses. If your trading income is above that, tell HMRC. If you need to register for Self Assessment, do so by 5 October after the end of the tax year GOV.UK Tax Help for Hustles GOV.UK.
- VAT. You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover is over £90,000 Business.gov.uk. If you’re unsure how the threshold applies to your sales, check with HMRC.
- Consumer information. Before you sell a digital item or paid content, check what information you need to give and what cancellation rules apply. If you need help, ask Citizens Advice or your local Trading Standards service.
- Advertising. If you publish adverts or affiliate posts, make the commercial relationship clear. For example, label the post “Ad” ASA.
- Customer data. If you process member details, use the ICO self-assessment tool to check whether you need to pay a data protection fee. The ICO says you are likely to be exempt if you hold details only for your own accounts and transaction records. This does not apply to information processed by or obtained from credit reference agencies. The ICO gives advertising or marketing another person’s business, goods or services as an example of when you need to pay a fee ICO.
- Patreon fees. Patreon’s platform and payment-processing fees depend on your plan and payment details. Payout fees may also apply. If a member pays in a currency that differs from your payout currency, Patreon lists a 2.5% currency-conversion fee. If a member buys through Apple’s in-app purchase system in the Patreon iOS app, Apple charges a 30% service fee. This replaces Patreon’s standard payment-processing fee for that transaction Patreon Patreon.
- Age and insurance. This information is for adults. If you’re under 18, check Patreon’s current account terms before you set up an account. Consider whether insurance would be useful for your circumstances.
Ireland
- Income tax and returns. If you’re a PAYE worker, register for self-assessment using Form 11 if your taxable non-PAYE income is over €5,000 or your gross non-PAYE income is over €30,000. Below those amounts, declare it on Form 12 through myAccount Revenue. If you’re self-employed, you pay income tax, PRSI (Class S) and USC under self-assessment. Your preliminary tax is due by 31 October Citizens Information.
- VAT. The VAT registration threshold is €42,500 for services and €85,000 for goods Revenue. If you’re unsure how your sales are classified, check with Revenue.
- Business name. If you trade under a name other than your own, register the business name with the CRO. Online registration costs €20 CRO.
- Consumer information. Before you sell a digital item or paid content, check what information you need to give and what cancellation rules apply. If you need guidance, contact the CCPC.
- Advertising. If you publish commercial or affiliate content, label it clearly. For example, use “#Ad”. The CCPC advises, “if in doubt, label it” CCPC.
- Customer data. If you collect or store member details outside Patreon, check with Ireland’s Data Protection Commission to find out which data protection requirements apply.
- Patreon fees. Patreon’s platform and payment-processing fees depend on your plan and payment details. Payout fees may also apply. If a member pays in a currency that differs from your payout currency, Patreon lists a 2.5% currency-conversion fee. If a member buys through Apple’s in-app purchase system in the Patreon iOS app, Apple charges a 30% service fee. This replaces Patreon’s standard payment-processing fee for that transaction Patreon Patreon.
- Age and insurance. This information is for adults. If you’re under 18, check Patreon’s current account terms before you set up an account. Consider whether insurance would be useful for your circumstances.
Checked against official sources: 22 October 2026. Not yet reviewed by a qualified tax or legal adviser. General guidance, not legal advice. Check the official link beside each point before you start.
Common mistakes
- Offering too many benefits before you know how much time they take.
- Promising a posting schedule that is difficult to maintain.
- Setting a price without accounting for platform and payment fees.
- Assuming memberships will bring in regular or immediate income.
- Not keeping your own records of income and costs.
AI-made demonstration: this module has a 20-second street-chat video in the interactive guide. The presenter and the people in it are computer-generated, not real people.