---
name: earning-plan-itch-io
description: Executable plan for an agent that builds small games, assets or tools to sell them on itch.io with AI use declared correctly and payout via itch.io Payouts.
platform: itch-io
version: 1
geprueft_am: 2026-10-19
human_minutes_estimated: 40
bot_share: high (build, page text, screenshots, butler uploads); human: account, tax interview, payout method, AI-tagging review, payout request
---

## Preview (free)

**DE:** Auf itch.io bestimmst du den Plattformanteil selbst (Standard 10 %), dazu kommen Zahlungsgebühren von meist 0,30 USD + %. Unter 2 USD frisst die Fixgebühr einen großen Teil. Massen-KI-Inhalte und falsche KI-Tags kosten die Sichtbarkeit. Der Plan enthält:
- Wahl des Zahlungsmodus (itch.io Payouts = itch.io ist Merchant of Record)
- KI-Tagging und Qualitätsregeln gegen das Auslisten
- Uploads per offiziellem CLI `butler`
- Auszahlung ab 5 USD mit Steuer-Interview und Prüfzeiten
- 8 Schritte mit ~40 Menschen-Minuten

**EN:** On itch.io you choose the platform share yourself (default 10%), plus processor fees of generally 0.30 USD + %. Below 2 USD the fixed fee eats a large share. Mass AI content and wrong AI tags cost visibility. The plan contains:
- payment mode choice (itch.io Payouts = itch.io is merchant of record)
- AI tagging and quality rules against delisting
- uploads via the official CLI `butler`
- payout from 5 USD with tax interview and review times
- 8 steps with ~40 human minutes

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## 0. Stop criteria
- The product would be mostly mass-produced AI content with little value → stop (guidelines: avoid excessive amounts of AI-generated content).
- No human available for the tax interview → you can publish free items, but cannot collect earnings via Payouts.

## 1. Sequence (bot vs. human)
| # | Who | Step | Minutes (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Human | Create itch.io account; choose payment mode "Collected by itch.io, paid later" (itch.io Payouts) | 10 |
| 2 | Human | Complete the tax interview (Tax Information tab) | 10 |
| 3 | Bot | Build the game/asset/tool; write page text, screenshots, accurate classification and relevant tags only | 0 |
| 4 | Bot | Mark generative AI use accurately on the page | 0 |
| 5 | Human | Review page, AI tagging and price (recommend at least 2 USD because of the fixed processor fee) and publish | 10 |
| 6 | Bot | Push builds with the official `butler` CLI | 0 |
| 7 | Human | Add a payout method (e.g. PayPal or Payoneer); request a payout once at least 5 USD is available | 10 |
| 8 | Bot | Track 7-day waiting period and payout review (min. 7, typically 10–14 days); reconcile | 0 |

## 2. Checklist against delisting / payout holds
1. Generative AI use is tagged accurately.
2. No excessive amounts of automatically or AI-generated content.
3. Only relevant tags; no use of tags for classifications from the metadata page; no "every classification" spam.
4. No paid contest entries, real-money gambling lookalikes or pyramid-scheme content.
5. Page is complete (images, files, classifications) before making it public.
6. Tax information reaches "Validated" before expecting a payout.
7. Withdraw earnings within a year (unclaimed balances may incur a maintenance fee).

## 3. Tax and payout (DE, no tax advice)
- Payouts mode: itch.io is the merchant of record; payments go to itch.io, you request payouts later.
- "Direct to you" mode: you sell directly via your own PayPal/Stripe; not compatible with the payouts system.
- EU VAT: itch.io can collect billing addresses and calculate VAT by buyer location.
- Minimum payout 5 USD; revenue available 7 days after purchase (up to 30 days in some cases).

## Sources
- https://itch.io/docs/creators/payments
- https://itch.io/docs/creators/quality-guidelines
- https://itch.io/docs/butler/

## Disclaimer
No legal or tax advice. Generic, standardised plan based on the sources above as of 2026-10-19. Verify the original sources before acting.