How Do Taxes Work With OnlyFans?

Making money on OnlyFans feels great, until tax season rolls around and you're stuck staring at numbers, forms, and questions like “Do I even count as self-employed?” Spoiler: yes, you do. Whether you're just starting out or already pulling in five figures monthly, taxes aren't optional. They’re part of the deal. And unless you enjoy giving away extra money, it's worth doing them right.

Let’s break down how taxes really work for OnlyFans creators, what forms you’ll need, what counts as write-offs, and how to avoid an unpleasant surprise from the tax office.

Are OnlyFans Creators Self-Employed?

Yes. If you're earning on OnlyFans, you’re considered self-employed. That means you’re running your own business, even if you never signed a single business registration form. You’re responsible for tracking your income, paying taxes, and handling your own deductions.

You don’t get a W-2 like a regular employee. Instead, you’ll usually get a 1099-NEC from OnlyFans (or the payment processor) if you made over $600 USD during the year. If you're outside the U.S., the form may vary, but the logic is the same: you're on the hook for your own taxes.

Need help figuring out your W-2 or 1099 situation? Check out our article on how to find your 1099 on OnlyFans or how to get your W2 from OnlyFans—yes, the W2 title is misleading, but it clears up the confusion fast.

What Kind of Taxes Do I Have To Pay on OnlyFans Income?

You’ll typically pay two types of taxes as a creator:

• Income tax – based on your total earnings after deductions.
• Self-employment tax – this covers Social Security and Medicare in the U.S. (around 15.3% if you're American).

Depending on your country, the percentages, filing thresholds, and payment schedules will vary. But the key rule is simple: your earnings from OnlyFans are not tax-free. And if you don’t pay quarterly taxes, you may owe penalties later.

For U.S. creators, we wrote a more detailed explanation in OnlyFans Reports To IRS – Here Are The Facts.

Do You Need to Register a Business?

Technically, no. But it helps.

You can operate as a sole proprietor without registering anything in most countries. But if you're earning serious income or want legal protection, registering an LLC or equivalent can offer benefits. It may also open up more deductions and make you look more legit if you're applying for loans, housing, or other services.

Curious what kind of business type works best for taxes? Here's a deeper explanation in What Type Of Business Is OnlyFans For Taxes.

What Can You Write Off as an OnlyFans Creator?

This is the part that everyone loves—write-offs. Anything that helps you run or grow your content business could count as a deductible expense.

Common tax write-offs include:

• Camera gear, lighting, and props
• Laptop or phone used for content creation
• Monthly subscription tools (like editing software)
• Home office or studio setup
• Outfits and makeup used for content
• Paid promotions or shoutouts
• Internet bills (proportional to your business use)
• Agency fees (like the cut we take—yep, you can write off the OnlyFans cut too)

Want more ideas? We put together a full list in What OnlyFans Tax Write-Offs Can I Declare?

Just don’t mix personal expenses with business ones. And yes, that includes your sushi dinner unless it was part of a collab shoot.

How To Track Income and Expenses

If you're serious about your OnlyFans growth, treat it like a real business. That starts with tracking.

• Use tools like Excel, QuickBooks, or Wave to log income and expenses.
• Save receipts—physical or digital—for anything you plan to write off.
• Export payout history from OnlyFans or your payment platform regularly.
• Organize things by month to make quarterly tax prep easier.

If you’re working with an OnlyFans agency, some of this might be automated for you. At PhoeniX Creators, we offer financial support and structure to help make tax season less painful. Want help with your setup? Get in touch with us here.

Do You Need To File Quarterly Taxes?

If you’re making consistent income, yes. Most self-employed creators in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia are expected to pay estimated taxes each quarter. That’s because your income isn’t taxed at the source like it would be with a 9-to-5 job.

Miss those quarterly payments and you could owe interest or late penalties.

Pro tip: Put aside 25% to 30% of your income for taxes. That way, you’re covered no matter what bracket you end up in.

What Forms Do You Need?

Let’s simplify this. Here’s what you’ll need at tax time:

Confused about the W-9? Here's a clear guide: How To Fill Out W9 For OnlyFans

And for more examples and walk-throughs, see OnlyFans 1099 Examples.

Can You Hide OnlyFans Income From Taxes?

Tempting, but no. OnlyFans reports your earnings to tax authorities. They have to, legally. If you skip reporting and still receive a 1099 (or equivalent), the IRS or your local authority will know—and penalties for tax evasion are not small.

If privacy is your concern, focus on hiding your identity online, not your income. We wrote a helpful article on how to hide OnlyFans on taxes that walks you through doing this the legal way.

And if you're running a faceless account, here are ideas for content without showing your face that can still scale.

What Happens If You Don't Pay?

Short answer? It catches up with you.

• You may owe interest or late payment penalties.
• You could lose out on future loans or housing applications.
• Worst case, it triggers an audit and legal action.

It’s not worth the stress. Plan for taxes just like you plan for new content. A little organization goes a long way.

Need Support?

You don’t have to do everything alone. At PhoeniX Creators, we’ve helped dozens of creators grow their revenue, protect their brand, and stay compliant with taxes. Whether you're just learning how to start an OnlyFans or scaling your six-figure account, we can help you keep your income—and your sanity—intact.

Talk to us today and let’s take some of the stress off your plate.