Esports and Content Creators
Whether you are raking in prize winnings on the global Esports stage or balancing revenue streams from your latest brand deal, having the right financial strategy in place is the key to maximizing your earnings and keeping your focus where it belongs – on the next big win or viral content drop. Proper Tax and Accounting Advisory ensures you navigate the complexities of financial management, allowing you to optimize your income, keep more of your earnings and stay compliant with regulations.

89%
Net Promoter Score
The average NPS for accounting firms is 38%. At Dark Horse, 89% of our clients would recommend us to a friend.
Net Promoter Score
Companies use this metric to gauge how happy their customers are with their services. It's calculated by taking the percentage of "promoters" minus the % of "detractors. "The average NPS score for the accounting industry is 39%, less than the DMV! We believe it's important to share that we have successfully fulfilled our promise to WOW clients and consistently monitor this metric to ensure we continue to deliver on the highest level.

350+
5-Star Reviews
Our Google and Yelp reviews speak for themselves. Our goal is to provide 5-star service to every client, every time.
5-Star Reviews
When someone shares their experience with us online, we find it extremely valuable to know where we've exceeded expectations and where we can improve. Many of our clients decide to engage with us as a result of reading about other Dark Horse clients’ experiences. Even when things do not go as planned, we do everything we can to make it right.

90%
Retention Rate
We're all about creating long-lasting, value-added relationships.
Retention Rate
This is the frequency of repeat business from our clients that work with us. This means that 9 out of 10 clients use us for subsequent years. That shows us that people enjoy working with our CPAs, are pleased with the work, and want to continue with Dark Horse over the long term.
Challenges Faced by Esport & Content Creators
Challenges Faced by Esport & Content Creators
Many CPA don't understand the tax advantages tied to the variety of income streams
Managing complex prize winnings taxation is difficult due to multiple income streams like tournament winnings, streaming revenue, sponsorships, and endorsements, making compliance with tax regulations overwhelming.
Multi-state income compliance adds another layer of complexity, as professionals need to know which states to file in, the income thresholds for filing, and how to stay compliant to avoid surprise notices
Finding the right support partner is hard because some professionals simply don't understand the industry
Many companies operate in a similar way to Esports or Content Creators, but those best practices are not always shared
Managing complex prize winnings taxation is difficult due to multiple income streams like tournament winnings, streaming revenue, sponsorships, and endorsements, making compliance with tax regulations overwhelming.
Understanding Esports & Content Creators Tax Strategy


Let's Win Together
Most CPAs don't have the resources, expertise or business model to consistently provide value in their tax advisory services. Often, their Esports or Content Creator clients are receiving ad-hoc, last-minute advice if they get any tax planning help at all. And, much of this advice is just the basics like 401(k) contributions, buying equipment and making estimated payments. Your CPA needs to know the industry to take advantage of the unique tax credits, income streams and tax reduction/deferral opportunities to make sure you keep as much of your hard-earned cash as possible. That's where we come in.
Accounting Experts for your Esports & Content Creator Business




Get It Right, Get it Tight
You've made a career in Esports or as a Content Creator, money is finally coming in, but, if you don't have crisp, accurate and timely financials, you aren't taking your business seriously enough. Great bookkeeping is the foundation of informed business decisions and the mark of a sophisticated entrepreneur. It serves as the foundation for tax planning and filing your returns correctly. And, it serves as the building blocks of forward-looking financial modeling and reporting that will take your business to the next level. We're here to get that P&L and Balance Sheet dialed in for you.
Huge Tax Savings for Esports Clients


Without Dark Horse
Context: An Esports client, 1.5 years into their career was realizing a substantial increase in both advertising and viewership revenue across their Twitch & YouTube channels.
#1
All income was captured on their personal return (1040)
#2
Underpaid their taxes, accumulating over $5,000 in penalties and interest
#3
Paid a total of $182,191 in taxes + over $5,000 in penalties in 2023
Problem: prior CPA was not proactive and provided no guidance on how to structure their business with their increase in earnings.


With Dark Horse
Solution: After that painful experience, the Esports client reached out to Dark Horse CPAs searching for a Tax & Financial Partner as their earnings continued to grow. Their Dark Horse CPAs immediately:
#1
Determined the correct entity structure and filed on their behalf
#2
Helped open their business accounting software and set up payroll for the owner
#3
Managed their estimated tax payments, eliminated penalties and interest for underpayment
#4
SAVED $64,820 in taxes in the 1st year and removed all penalties.
*Each Tax strategy is unique and requires research into qualifying criteria to ensure we are taking a defensible stance. Results and savings also vary by client.
Esports & Content Creator Frequently Asked Questions
- When you have enough followers or subscribers to start making consistent income.
- When your affiliate income or ad revenue is more than a few grand a month.
- Anytime you win a tournament that is at least Tier 2.
Gaming PCs and equipment, travel expenses to tournaments or business-related events and conferences, software expenses, camera equipment, home office expenses, internet, and many others!
We go through a full analysis of your current expense structure and how you are set up to determine where we can get the most bang for your buck.
If you earn income in different states, you may need to file separate tax returns for each state depending on their respective regulations. This can be complex, so it is advisable to work with a tax professional who can ensure compliance and avoid double taxation.
If you’re selling merchandise or digital products, you may need to register for sales tax in the states where your customers are located. Sales tax requirements vary by state, so it’s essential to consult with a professional or use sales tax software to stay compliant.
Yes, all income, including tournament winnings and sponsorships, are taxable. Whether you’re a full-time professional or a casual player, you must report all earnings on your tax return.
International winnings can be subject to tax both in the country where you won the prize and in your home country. It’s important to understand tax treaties and avoid double taxation by claiming foreign tax credits where applicable.
Outsourced Accounting is a step up from basic Bookkeeping services. We start by analyzing the People involved in your accounting function, the Process they go through each month and the technology/tools (also called Platforms) they used to get the job done. If these are not well defined or in place, then we work with you to get the entire accounting function operating at a standard you should expect as a business owner. In most of our engagements, Dark Horse operates as their entire outsourced accounting function.
Think of bookkeeping as the foundation – the accurate recording of your financial transactions (payments, invoices, etc.). It's essential for capturing your financial history.
Outsourced accounting builds upon that foundation. We take over the ongoing tasks and processes involved in managing your finances, including:
Accounts Payable & Receivable: We handle paying your bills, collecting payments from customers, and managing outstanding balances.
Payroll Processing: We ensure your employees are paid accurately and on time, handling payroll taxes and filings.
Systems Integration: We connect your accounting software to other applications and systems you use in your business for seamless data flow and efficiency.
Credit Card & Expense Management: We streamline expense tracking with credit card integrations and clear expense reporting procedures.
Dark Horse CPAs act as your virtual accounting department, but with a distinct advantage: we're technology experts. We stay current on the latest accounting software and tools, constantly evaluating the market for the best solutions to fit your needs.
Our strong relationships with leading technology providers give you direct access to their support, ensuring any questions or issues are addressed quickly.
This combined expertise in accounting processes and technology allows us to not only manage your day-to-day finances but also optimize your systems and processes for superior efficiency and financial insights.
- Scalable Expertise: An in-house accountant might have a strong grasp of bookkeeping but may lack expertise in areas like complex tax situations or advanced reporting. With Dark Horse, you tap into a team of CPAs with diverse specializations and experience across various industries. Our support can scale as your business needs evolve.
- Technology Advantage: We act as your virtual accounting department AND your technology advisors.We're constantly evaluating the best accounting software and tools for your specific business, ensuring optimal efficiency and automation. Our close relationships with industry-leading tech providers give you direct access to their expertise and support.
- Cost-Efficiency: When you factor in salary, benefits, software licenses, and the potential for turnover, hiring an in-house accountant can be significantly more expensive. Outsourcing offers a predictable monthly cost and eliminates additional overhead burdens.


Locations
Because we're entirely cloud-based, we can work with you from anywhere. If you prefer to work with a local CPA, check out our quickly growing list of locations.