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Master Your Taxes: A Guide for Indian Content Creators

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Taxation laws for content creators in India . Reelstars

It’s tax season and like all other professionals, YouTubers, streamers, and social media influencers in India too are navigating the complex world of taxation as the financial year comes to an end. The taxation scenario for content creators who live off their online creations in India can seem daunting as it is a fairly new field. Knowing, understanding and complying with Indian tax laws is essential for legal compliance for creators. While there’s no shortage of information for video production, audio mixing, social media growth, and company incorporation,  most creators have a blind spot when it comes to financial matters.

If you are a creator who is earning money from your social media content online, these are a few things you should know.

Content Creators as Entrepreneurs

There’s no special tax rate for YouTubers or social media influencers in India. The income they earn falls under two main categories:

Profits and Gains from Business and Profession:

If your online activities are counted as a full-time business, you will be taxed for profits from this business. The income you earn gets taxed based on the current income tax slabs, ranging from 0% to 30%.

Income from Other Sources:

If your online activities are a side hustle, then the tax rate is a flat 20%.

Freebies, GST & Deductions

Freebies and Sponsorships

All the free products and sponsorships you get from brands as a creator, valued at more than Rs 20,000 fall under “perquisites” and attract a 10% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS). Typically, this TDS is cut by the brand before paying you.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

If your annual turnover exceeds INR 20 lakh (or INR 10 lakh in special category states), you need to register for a GST number. As a registered influencer, your services (like sponsored posts or consultations) get taxed at 18%.

Deductions

By keeping regular and meticulous records of your income and expenses over the year, you can deduct legitimate business expenses like equipment, software subscriptions, and even travel costs related to your content creation. Filing your income tax returns on time to avoid penalties is of course a given!

Finance tips for creators

Cash inflows, such as sponsorship payments, should be into a known bank account that’s preferably business only.

Cash outflows, such as equipment or salaries, should be from a known bank account or credit card account that’s preferably business only.

Keep a track of third-party platforms that pay you money, for example e.g. YouTube. Enter details like date, amount, descriptions and deductions and net amount received into an excel sheet. This helps reconciliation at the end of the year.

All business expenses, spending incurred with the goal of earning a profit for the content business, should be tracked by category, amount, description and date.

Disclaimer: These are general guidelines to be followed by content creators, meant solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as professional tax advice. It is advisable to seek guidance from a certified tax advisor who can provide personalized assistance tailored to your individual circumstances.

 

Seasoned journalists covering interesting news about influencers and creators from the social world of Entertainment, Fashion, Beauty, Tech, Auto, Finance, Sports, and Healthcare. To pitch a story or to share a press release, write to us at info.thereelstars@gmail.com

Finance

Finance Experts on Social Media Make Managing Money Easy

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Neha Nagar - The Reelstars

Finance education is essential for managing personal finances. In today’s digital era, Finance Educators, aka Finance Influencers, have emerged to make things more accessible so you can understand them better. Financial influencers are here to help you manage your finances more effectively. Financial education has become accessible quickly because the Finance Influencers are here to help us. 

Neha Nagar @iamnehanagar

Neha Nagar is a CA dropout who started her content creation journey during the pandemic. She is based in Noida and worked in a BPO to save money for her MBA in finance. Now, she owns a taxation consultancy company called TaxationHelp.in. Her content is based on various subjects, from finance, cryptocurrency, taxation, stock market, trading, and government schemes. She has 1.8 million followers on Instagram, a huge turning point. 

Neha Nagar’s influence in the finance industry is a personal achievement, her expertise and dedication are recognized. Crowned as the Finfluencer of the Year by NDTV and Exhibit, she is a former wealth manager, entrepreneur, and angel investor with over eight years of experience. Her content, delivered in a unique and engaging filmy style. However, she is a testament to her commitment to ‘Educating To Master Your Money ‘.

Here is a financial Tip by Neha:

Regularly investing in SIPs can be a powerful strategy for growing wealth. This simple yet effective advice has the potential to transform your financial future.

Himani Chaudhary @thehimanichaudhary

Himani Chaudhary craves a happy ending in financial health from Delhi. She is a full-time content creator, investor, and part-time trader (Swing Trading). Her mission is to simplify finance through her financial education. 

Himani is an NISM-certified research Analyst and an AMFI-regulated Mutual Fund Distributor. She served Deloitte as a Risk Manager for 4 years and studied Data Analytics at IIT Delhi. 

She is a founder of financial.vines. Here, she provides 24-hour Trending Market & Finance Updates. She also gives over 40 Free Online Calculators & Excels to Optimize Personal Finance. 

Her videos cover investments, credit cards, new government rules, stock market, mutual funds, taxes, and financial news.

Here is a financial Tip by Himani:

If you want to take a loan from a bank, always negotiate with 2-3 banks and remove or reduce the processing fee, which can save your lakhs of rupees. 

Udayan Adhye @udayanonmoney

Udayan Adhye is here to simplify finance and investing with his easy tips and tricks. He has been licensed since 2015 and is AMFI & IRDAI registered. He is a Pune-based financial content creator who helps people understand money.

Udayan creates monthly personal finance content that reaches over 20 lakh people and has an Instagram family of 441K followers. He is also the co-founder of an investments and insurance business that works with over 300 families across India. Moreover, They manage a 9-figure+ portfolio in client assets and advise more than 1000 families in the insurance sector. 

He is also a Thriller Novelist with over 50K readers worldwide. He has written a four-book thriller novel series – The Siya Rajput Crime Thrillers. A leading Mumbai-based production house has optioned the series to be a TV show and a major motion picture.

Here is a financial Tip by Udayan:

Invest 10%- 20% of your monthly income in SIPs. Start with a small amount and increase it as and when possible.

Investment should be done with proper knowledge of finance, and these financial influencers can help make it easy and accessible. Follow them to make your financial investments more efficient. 

You should invest wisely with the help of creators discovered on The Reelstars!

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Finance

Amazon Unveils Creator University and Creator Connect in India

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influencers - The Reelstars

Amazon.in is stepping up its game to support content creators with the launch of two exciting programs: Creator University and Creator Connect. These initiatives aim to equip both aspiring and established influencers with the skills and resources they need to thrive within the Amazon ecosystem.

Creator University is a Learning Hub for Creators

This comprehensive program offers practical guidance on every aspect of content creation within the Amazon.in ecosystem. Participants can access:

  • In-depth video tutorials: Learn how to identify the perfect products to recommend, craft engaging content, and effectively drive traffic to Amazon.in.
  • Informative articles: Gain insights on building a strong audience and optimizing content for maximum impact.
  • Interactive workshops: Deepen your understanding through practical sessions on various influencer-related topics.

Creator Connect will Foster Collaboration and Growth

Creator Connect goes beyond education, fostering connections and collaboration among Amazon’s influencer community.

  • Strategic events: These in-person gatherings coincide with major sales events, generating excitement and attracting new creators.
  • Interactive experiences: Workshops led by established creators provide valuable peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
  • Networking opportunities: Connect with Amazon leaders and fellow influencers, fostering collaboration and growth.

The Power of Content Creators

As Gaurav Sharma, a content creator with a 1.3 million strong Instagram following. Moreover, points out, influencers play a crucial role in promoting brands and driving product discovery. Events like Creator Connect create a supportive environment where creators can exchange ideas and connect with Amazon leaders. However, established influencers, and product experts.

Equipping Creators for Success

Kishore Thota, Director, Shopping Experience, India & Emerging Markets, Amazon, emphasizes the importance of empowering creators. Creator University and Creator Connect are designed to do just that. Furthermore, by providing creators with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed on Amazon.in.

Shifa Shaikh, an emerging Instagram creator, echoes this sentiment. Having discovered the Amazon Influencer Program and now Creator University. However, she sees the potential to elevate her content and monetize her work.

Building on Existing Programs

These new initiatives join Amazon’s existing offerings for content creators, such as the Amazon Influencer Program. This program allows influencers to earn commissions on qualifying purchases driven by their content. Furthermore, providing them with a platform to monetize their efforts.

With the launch of Creator University and Creator Connect. Amazon.in is further solidifying its commitment to supporting content creators in India. By providing them with the resources and opportunities they need. However, Amazon is helping these influencers build successful businesses and reach even wider audiences.

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Finance

Nikhil Kamath Backs Collective Artists Network in Creator-First Move

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nikhil-kamath-vijay-subramaniam - the reel stars

Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath has joined forces once again with entrepreneur Vijay Subramaniam, this time by investing in Collective Artists Network (CAN), a talent management agency led by Subramaniam. This marks Kamath’s second venture with Subramaniam.

The investment facilitates a significant return (over 5x) for InMobi’s Glance, which had previously invested in CAN in 2021. This signals a strategic exit for Glance.

Collective Artists Network

Originally known for its expertise in talent management, Collective Artists Network has evolved into a multifaceted new media powerhouse. Its services now encompass talent management, creator tech, production, creative strategy, influencer marketing, youth marketing, sports sponsorship and consulting, and media distribution. This broad-based approach, as per the company, aims to redefine the creator-driven new media landscape and maximize impact in today’s dynamic media scene.

Collaboration and Shared Vision

This investment comes on the heels of a recent collaboration between Collective and Kamath-backed Gruhas. Together, they launched the ‘Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund (GCCF)’ to support consumer-focused businesses and attract external investments. The fund offers not just financial backing but also mentorship and operational assistance. Furthermore, empowering portfolio companies in marketing and brand building.

Kamath and Subramaniam Have A Shared Belief in the Evolving Media Landscape

Commenting on the investment, Kamath stated that supporting Collective’s vision feels like a natural progression. He has closely observed the company’s growth over the past few years. Furthermore, shares a similar outlook on the potential of the Indian media scene. He expressed his enthusiasm for being part of Collective’s journey as they challenge the status quo and redefine the media landscape and creator ecosystem.

Vijay Subramaniam, Collective’s Founder and Group CEO, echoed Kamath’s sentiment. He views Kamath’s investment as more than just financial support; it signifies the trust and collaboration they’ve built over time. Subramaniam has long emphasized the need to institutionalize the largely unorganized media and entertainment space in India. This vision, he believes, will ensure shareholder value and set new benchmarks in media, technology, and entertainment.

Subramaniam further acknowledged Glance’s role as a valuable partner and expressed his appreciation for their trust in Collective. He also highlighted his shared belief with Kamath that India is poised to become a global media powerhouse. However, with media and entertainment playing a pivotal role in the country’s growth story.

Stay tuned for more updates on this new collaboration between the Bangalore-based entrepreneurs.

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