- Three payout routes open to Philippine creators
- The peso bank transfer
- Payoneer Wallet and the prepaid card
- PayPal for a creator in the Philippines
- Twelve per cent VAT on your fans' payments
- Why pesos aren't a billing currency
- W-8BEN, holds and returned payouts
- Questions to ask before your first withdrawal
- Choosing between the options
- Frequently asked questions
Filipino creators can take Patreon payouts three ways. Patreon's guide lists the Philippines for a bank transfer that turns US dollars into pesos, and its PayPal article lists the Philippines too, with Payoneer Wallet as a third route. Patreon's tax table shows VAT at 12% on fan payments, and the peso conversion carries a fee.
Questions about Patreon from the Philippines usually come down to one worry: which of the payout options should I pick, and what will each one cost me? Patreon gives a menu rather than one answer, so I've laid it out country by country, using the help pages and nothing else.
Three payout routes open to Philippine creators
Patreon says creators outside the US can choose a bank transfer processed by Payoneer, PayPal, or Payoneer Wallet. The Philippines appears in its country table for the bank transfer that converts US dollars into local money, and the currency listed is PHP. The PayPal article lists the Philippines too. And Patreon says PayPal and Payoneer Wallet are available in every country on the bank transfer list.
The peso bank transfer
This route sends pesos to your bank. Patreon's fee is 0.25 US dollars plus 1.55% for the currency conversion on each payout, with a 10 US dollar minimum. You supply bank details only: the account number and the name on the account. Patreon says no additional paperwork is usually needed, and you don't need a Payoneer account for it.
The rate is applied when your withdrawal is processed, and Patreon notes it can vary slightly in the hours afterwards. If you're comparing banks, ask which one deals most smoothly with incoming foreign transfers.
Payoneer Wallet and the prepaid card
Payoneer Wallet is the choice for creators who want to hold the money before moving it. Patreon describes it as a way to receive payouts into your Payoneer account, then send the funds on to your bank or use a Payoneer Prepaid Debit MasterCard. The Patreon fee is 1.00 US dollar per payout with a 25 US dollar minimum, and Payoneer may add charges when you move the funds on.
Patreon is honest that this route is typically more expensive than a bank transfer, though more flexible. If you're thinking of using Payoneer for client work as well, Payoneer in the Philippines explains the account side.
PayPal for a creator in the Philippines
For creators outside the US paid in US dollars, Patreon charges 1% of the amount transferred through PayPal, with a minimum of 0.25 US dollars, capped at 20 US dollars, and you need 10 US dollars to pay out. Patreon adds that PayPal may add its own fees on moving money to a bank. See how PayPal works in the Philippines before choosing it as your main route.
Twelve per cent VAT on your fans' payments
Patreon's sales tax and VAT table lists the Philippines with VAT at 12%. Patreon says tax on sales to fans is based on the buyer's location, and that it collects such taxes where rules for non-resident suppliers of digital services exist. The processing fee is also worked out on the total payment including any tax.
Whether you need to register or declare your Patreon income locally is a matter for a Philippine accountant or the tax office. Patreon's pages don't say, so I won't.
Why pesos aren't a billing currency
The non-US dollar currencies in Patreon's fee table are EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, DKK, NOK, SEK, HKD, SGD, NZD, CZK, HUF and PLN. PHP isn't in the list. That fits with the bank transfer being described as a conversion from US dollars. A fan paying in a different currency from your payout currency triggers a 2.5% fee, which is one reason to check what currencies your members use.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
W-8BEN, holds and returned payouts
Patreon says all creators who aren't US citizens must submit a W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E in order to pay out, in Settings under Payouts and Taxes. A five-day hold follows adding or changing a payout method. A payout typically takes one to five days, and you can start one every 24 hours. If a payout shows as Returned, Patreon says it didn't go through and the funds go back to your Patreon balance.
| What I checked | What Patreon says for the Philippines |
|---|---|
| Bank transfer currency | PHP, from a US dollar balance |
| Bank transfer cost | 0.25 US dollars plus 1.55%, 10 US dollars minimum |
| Payoneer Wallet | 1.00 US dollar per payout, 25 US dollars minimum |
| PayPal | Philippines is on the supported list |
| Tax on fan payments | VAT at 12% |
| Returned payout | Funds go back to the Patreon balance |
Questions to ask before your first withdrawal
Before you start, it helps to decide how you'll judge each route. Ask what the total cost is for a typical payout, not just Patreon's part of it. Ask how long you can afford to wait, remembering the five-day hold on a new method and the one to five days after a payout starts. And ask whether you need dollars or pesos at the end. Patreon's pages give you the first two answers; your own bank gives you the third.
Patreon also says that for most creators paying out by direct bank transfer there's no payout limit, though your bank or payment processor may have its own, so a quick call to your bank before a large withdrawal is sensible.
Choosing between the options
If you want pesos in a bank account with the fewest steps, the bank transfer is the plainest. If you also need dollars for other work, Payoneer Wallet or PayPal might suit you better despite the cost. A guide to Wise in the Philippines is useful if you're weighing a separate receiving account. None of this is financial advice, so check bank limits and your tax position with the people who know them.
Frequently asked questions
Does Patreon work in the Philippines?
Patreon's payout guide lists the Philippines for a bank transfer that converts US dollars to PHP, and its PayPal article lists the Philippines as supported.
Can I get Patreon money in pesos?
Patreon's US dollar to local bank transfer lists PHP for the Philippines, at 0.25 US dollars plus 1.55% per payout, with a 10 US dollar minimum.
What is Payoneer Wallet on Patreon?
Patreon says it lets international creators receive payouts into a Payoneer account, then move funds to a bank or a Payoneer Prepaid Debit MasterCard. It costs 1.00 US dollar per payout.
Does Patreon charge VAT in the Philippines?
Patreon's tax table lists the Philippines with VAT at 12%, based on where the member is located.
What does a Returned payout mean?
Patreon says Returned means the payout didn't go through and the funds will return to your Patreon balance.
