DevEx (Developer Exchange) is Roblox's official program that lets creators convert their earned Robux into real US dollars. If your kid has been building games, designing clothing, or creating other experiences that other players spend Robux on, they can potentially turn those digital earnings into actual money.

This isn't some sketchy third-party scheme—it's Roblox's legitimate payout system. But it comes with real requirements, real paperwork, and real tax implications.

Minimum Robux Balance: 30,000 Your kid needs at least 30,000 earned Robux in their account. That's Robux they made from their creations—not Robux you bought them for their birthday. At the DevEx rate of $0.0035 per Robux, 30,000 Robux converts to roughly $105.

Age Requirement: 13+ Roblox requires users to be at least 13 to participate in DevEx. If your kid is younger, they technically can't cash out—though many families work around this by having a parent manage the account (more on the complications of that later).

Roblox Premium Subscription Your kid must have an active Roblox Premium subscription ($4.99-$19.99/month). This isn't optional—it's a DevEx requirement.

Identity Verification Roblox requires government-issued ID verification through their system. This means uploading a driver's license, passport, or other official documentation. For kids under 18, this often means using a parent's ID and having the parent manage the payout process.

IRS Form W-9 (For US Residents) This is where it gets real: Roblox will send you a W-9 tax form. Your kid's Roblox earnings are considered taxable income. If they earn over $600 in a calendar year, Roblox will issue a 1099 form, and you'll need to report it on your taxes.

Let's break down what DevEx actually pays:

Compare this to buying Robux, where the rate is much worse for the buyer (and better for Roblox). When you buy 10,000 Robux, it costs about $100. But when you cash out 10,000 Robux through DevEx, you only get $35. Roblox takes a massive cut—which is how they make their money.

For context: according to our Screenwise data, 60% of families let their kids play on Roblox servers with other players, 15% keep it offline-only, and 25% don't use Roblox at all. But of those families whose kids are creating content? A much smaller percentage ever reach DevEx thresholds.

Your 14-year-old's Roblox game earnings are taxable income. Here's what that means:

Under $600/year: You should still report it, but Roblox won't send a 1099.

Over $600/year: Roblox sends a 1099-NEC form. You'll report this as self-employment income on your tax return (or your kid's tax return, if they're filing their own).

Self-employment tax: If your kid earns enough, they may owe self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare), which is about 15.3% on top of regular income tax.

Deductions: The good news? If your kid is running a legitimate Roblox development "business," you may be able to deduct expenses: Roblox Premium subscription, software they use for game development, even a portion of internet costs. Talk to a tax professional—seriously.

Tools like bux.tax and rbxtax.com can help you calculate estimated taxes on Robux earnings.

Despite the bureaucratic headaches, DevEx can be an incredible real-world learning experience:

Entrepreneurship: Your kid is literally running a business. They're creating a product, marketing it, responding to user feedback, and iterating based on what works.

Financial literacy: They're learning about exchange rates, transaction fees, taxes, and the difference between revenue and profit.

Delayed gratification: Waiting to hit 30,000 Robux teaches patience and long-term goal-setting.

Real consequences: If their game has bugs or bad reviews, they lose players and income. That's a valuable lesson in quality and customer service.

According to our data, only 18% of families let kids use desktop computers regularly for creative work—but Roblox Studio (the game creation tool) really works best on desktop. If your kid is serious about DevEx, they'll need proper tools and workspace.

Here's where it gets tricky: if your kid is under 18, you're likely going to be deeply involved in the DevEx process.

You'll need to:

This isn't a bad thing—it's an opportunity to teach financial responsibility. But it does mean you can't just hand them the reins and walk away.

Set clear expectations:

Most kids who create on Roblox will never hit DevEx thresholds. That's not a failure—it's just reality. Creating a successful Roblox game requires:

Our data shows that only 30% of families give kids significant digital independence to pursue projects like this unsupervised. The other 70% are more hands-on—and that's probably appropriate for something as complex as game development.

If your kid is creating on Roblox and hoping to earn money, they need to understand:

Scams are everywhere: People will offer to "help" them cash out early, buy their Robux at better rates, or "invest" in their game. These are almost always scams.

Protect account security: Enable 2-factor authentication. A stolen account means stolen earnings.

Privacy matters: Their Roblox profile shouldn't reveal personal information. Even if they're proud of their creation, they don't need to share their real name, age, or location.

Predators target successful creators: Kids who are making money on Roblox can become targets for adults who want to "collaborate" or "mentor" them. Be involved in who they're talking to.

If your kid loves creating but isn't hitting DevEx thresholds, there are other ways to channel that energy:

The skills they're learning on Roblox—coding, design thinking, user experience—are valuable even if they never cash out a dime.

DevEx is real, legitimate, and can be genuinely lucrative for talented, persistent kids. But it's not a get-rich-quick scheme, and it comes with adult responsibilities: taxes, ID verification, and significant time investment.

If your kid is serious about DevEx, treat it like a real business venture. Help them set goals, track expenses, understand taxes, and learn from failures. The money is nice, but the skills they'll develop—entrepreneurship, financial literacy, creative problem-solving—are worth far more than $105.

And if they never hit 30,000 Robux? That's okay too. The journey of creating something, putting it out into the world, and learning what works (and what doesn't) is valuable in itself.

If your kid wants to pursue DevEx:

If you want to explore this further:

Your kid's Roblox game might not be the next Adopt Me, but the skills they're building—and the real-world lessons about money, taxes, and business—are setting them up for success in ways that go far beyond any game.