Earning Money Online for Minors – What’s Allowed, How Much Can Be Made, and How to Stay Out of Trouble

Nowadays, more and more teenagers are earning money online – not in the future, not “when they finish school,” but right now. If you’re 13, 15, or 17 years old and thinking about your first earnings from your phone or laptop, this post is for you. You’ll find out which platforms allow you to earn without being of legal age, where you need parental consent, what the minimum withdrawal limits are, and what can go wrong if you don’t handle taxes. All in Polish zlotys, with real data.

Earning legally online at 16 – what you can do, and what you should avoid

You don’t have to be 18 to earn money online – but you must know how to do it wisely. In practice, every platform has its own rules, but most of them allow you to start from the age of 13 – provided you have a guardian’s consent. Without it, it may turn out that the money earned… disappears, the account is blocked, or there is a problem with the payout.

What is legal (and doable) for a 13–17-year-old:

• creating an account on YouTube, TikTok, Twitch – with a guardian or their consent,
• selling your own digital products through platforms like RefSpace – as a private individual,
• receiving tips (e.g., through Buy Me a Coffee, Ko-fi),
• affiliate collaboration – recommending products and earning commissions.

Watch out for

• platforms requiring account verification with an ID card,
• civil contracts (e.g., with advertising companies) – they may require adulthood,
• PayPal withdrawals without a bank account – formally unavailable for those <18 years old.

In short: you can earn money. But you need to be aware that Your account = Your responsibility, and a legal guardian should be involved in the process. Platforms may allow you to operate – but it’s up to you to do so legally.

TikTok, YouTube, or Twitch? Where is it easiest for minors to start making money online

The easiest way to start is where you already are – but not every platform offers equal opportunities. Earning money online at 16 looks different on TikTok, different on YouTube, and different on Twitch. If you don’t have thousands of followers or viral reach, it’s worth knowing where it’s easiest to earn your first zlotys.

Examples (data converted to zlotys):

• TikTok Creator Fund – available from 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in 30 days. Average rates? about 20–40 PLN per 100,000 views (which is little if you’re not regular).
• YouTube – joining the partner program from 500 subs and 3000 hours. Greater potential – 50–1000 PLN per 100,000 views, depending on the topic.
• Twitch – earnings from subs and donations. Realistic but slow start – you need at least 50 followers and 3 active streaming days.

The most freedom is given by the model: “I record something on YouTube or TikTok and recommend a product (e.g., book, course, ebook, cosmetic) with an affiliate link.” Then you don’t wait for the algorithm, but earn from day one – even if you have 100 followers. 

That’s why many young people start with RefSpace – because you don’t need a partnership, just an idea and a link.

Online earnings for minors and taxes – can your $300 cost the family 2700 PLN

If you earn money as a minor, your income can affect not only you – but also your parents. In practice, it looks like this: every zloty earned by the child is included in the family’s income. And this can result in losing the child tax credit – which means up to 2700 PLN less annually.

How does it work?

• If your parents use the pro-family tax relief and their income is low, then even a few hundred zlotys from affiliation, TikTok, or PDF sales can “blow” the relief.
• The income limit for a child (under 18) is currently about 19,000 PLN annually gross – exceeding it results in losing the relief.
• This doesn’t mean you can’t earn – just that it’s worth discussing it with a parent or someone knowledgeable.

If you plan to earn e.g., 300 dollars from PDFs or affiliation (which is about 1100–1200 PLN monthly) – and your guardian is counting on a tax relief – it’s better to settle everything beforehand. Sometimes it’s enough to account it differently (e.g., not as the child’s income, but the parent’s – if the platform allows it). 

Are you 13, 15, or 17 years old? Check what you can do online to earn safely and legally

Earning money online at a young age can be a great experience – as long as you choose something that fits your age and legal possibilities. Contrary to appearances, being 13 or 15 doesn’t rule you out of the digital market. On the contrary – you can start many things now, just within the right scope.

What can you do when you are:

• 13–14 years old: create content (TikTok, YouTube, Shorts), recommend products with affiliate links (with guardian’s consent), sell graphics or PDFs through platforms working with individuals,
• 15–16 years old: do the same, plus small gigs on Fiverr (video editing, writing), selling courses, training, consultations (e.g., how to draw in Procreate, how to create fan pages, etc.),
• 17 years old: full range of online activities – often you may already independently sign a contract with a company or platform, and if not, do it through a guardian.

At any age, it’s worth focusing on something that grows you:  recording, editing, designing, copywriting, storytelling. It’s not just a way to earn money – it’s something that stays with you for years. Earning online for minors is a bit like training – the earlier you start, the quicker you’ll grasp the topic and reach a higher level.

Common mistakes parents make with earning children – and how not to fall into the trap of unawareness

It’s not the children who most often make mistakes when earning online – it’s their parents. And not due to a lack of goodwill, but because the topic of ‘internet money’ has completely changed over the last 5 years. Today, a child doesn’t need a ‘summer job’ to have income – they can earn it online. And quite a substantial one.

Here are the most common traps.

• Failure to report income in the annual tax return (PIT) – e.g., from tips, template sales, or commissions.
• The assumption that a child doesn’t need to know anything about taxes – then surprise when the tax office revokes a relief.
• Engaging a parent too late in payments or platforms – especially if income exceeds a few thousand PLN.
• Agreeing to any platforms without checking their credibility – then data theft or non-payment.

With platforms like RefSpace, a parent can  actively help the child earn legally and safely  – e.g., jointly set up an account, add consent, supervise payments. RefSpace works in a model that  doesn’t require starting a business, payments are reported annually, and everything can be controlled from one panel. Ideal if you want to help your child enter the world of online earning  prudently – not randomly.

Earning online at 16 is not a fairy tale – but it can be done wisely, without stress and safely

You can earn online even if you are a minor – provided you do it consciously. It’s not a fairy tale, nor a ‘key to a million in a week’. Realistic incomes are in the range of  500–3000 PLN per month, with the right approach. And you don’t need to be an influencer with a million followers – just know what and where to promote, or what digital product to create.

The best moment to start? Now.

• You have time to learn – before you enter adulthood.
• You have a natural environment (TikTok, Instagram, Shorts) where you can operate.
• You have access to tools that were reserved only for businesses a few years ago.

RefSpace is one of those tools –  simple, legal, accessible without a business activity. You can sell your files there (e.g., e-books, checklists), promote other’s products (and earn commissions), or simply test various options without risk. You don’t have to be 18 to start  building something of your own. And it might not be big money right away – but it will be yours. And you have to start somewhere.

FAQ

Can I legally earn online if I am 13–17 years old?

Yes. Many platforms allow minors to earn money – most often from the age of 13, subject to parental or legal guardian consent. This applies, for example, to TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, and also some affiliate systems and digital product sales platforms (e.g., RefSpace).

Do I need a business to sell e-books, templates, consultations?

No. If you earn less than approximately 2700–3000 PLN gross per month, you can operate as an individual without starting a business. You just need to settle your income annually in the tax return (PIT). This is how platforms like RefSpace work – allowing sales without a sole proprietorship and without social security contributions (ZUS).

What are the tax pitfalls of earning as a minor?

If you are under 18 and earning, your income may affect the family tax relief your parents claim. The child’s income limit is about 19,000 PLN gross per year – exceeding it can cause parents to lose up to 2700 PLN in relief.

What are the best platforms for earning at a young age?

It depends on what you want to do:

• YouTube and TikTok – good for starters, but they require time and large reach.
• RefSpace – a simple model where you can recommend products or sell your own, even without social media and business activity.
• Buy Me a Coffee, Ko-fi – for tips and support from your audience.
• Fiverr, Upwork – for those who already have a skill (graphic design, editing, writing, etc.).

Is it possible to make decent money at 16?

Yes – as long as you take it seriously. Earnings of 500–3000 PLN per month are realistic, especially in the digital products sales or affiliate model. It’s not “quick cash,” but regular income that can be developed month by month.

Who should handle taxes: me or my parent?

If you are underage – formally, your parent or legal guardian is responsible for you. They report your income on the annual tax return and should be aware that these revenues exist. It’s worth working together and being transparent – it will save a lot of stress later on.