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The Ultimate Guide to OnlyFans And Taxes

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Nobody signs up for OnlyFans because they want to do their own taxes. But once that payout hits your account, welcome to the world of being your own boss. Yes, that means taxes too. The good news? Once you understand the basics, it’s not as painful as it sounds. This guide breaks it all down—from what you owe, to how to keep more of your money.

Do You Have To Pay Taxes On OnlyFans?

Short answer: yes.

Whether you make $500 or $50,000, the money you earn from OnlyFans counts as income. You’re not an employee. You’re self-employed, which means the platform doesn’t withhold taxes for you.

That means:

You need to report your earnings
You’ll likely owe income tax and self-employment tax
You can reduce what you owe by claiming legitimate business expenses (more on that soon)

Taxes apply whether you're creating anonymous content, couple content, or you're a beginner. Every creator category falls under the same tax umbrella. Even if you're growing slowly or reinvesting everything back into ads, taxes still count.

If you’re unsure where to start or feel like it’s already overwhelming, start here: Do You Have To Pay Taxes On OnlyFans.

What Forms Does OnlyFans Send You?

If you’re a U.S. creator and earned $600 or more in a calendar year, you should receive a 1099-NEC tax form. This is sent by OnlyFans' parent company and reports the total amount you earned.

Here’s the twist: OnlyFans will only send a 1099 if you provided a valid W-9. If you didn’t fill that out, don’t expect a tax form in the mail—but you still have to report your earnings.

Make sure your email address and account settings are up-to-date. Some creators miss tax forms simply because they forgot to check their spam folder or OnlyFans account inbox.

You can also read our guides on How To Find Your 1099 On OnlyFans and How To Fill Out W9 For OnlyFans.

Can You Write Off Expenses As An OnlyFans Creator?

Absolutely. As a self-employed creator, you can deduct certain business-related expenses. That means less taxable income and a lower tax bill.

Here are some common write-offs:

Lighting, camera gear, and props
Outfits and lingerie (if used exclusively for content)
Paid ads and shoutouts
Phone bills, internet, and software subscriptions
OnlyFans’ cut and processing fees

Even less obvious things can qualify: rent (if you film at home), travel costs (for content or collabs), editing tools, or makeup and hair for shoots. As long as you can prove it supports your business, it may be deductible.

Want a full breakdown? Read What OnlyFans Tax Write-Offs Can I Declare and Can You Write Off The OnlyFans Cut In Your Taxes.

How To Track Income And Expenses (Without Losing Your Mind)

If you’re still screenshotting payouts and hoping for the best, it’s time to step it up. Keeping records is a must. Here’s a simple system:

Use a dedicated business account: Don’t mix personal and business expenses
Create a spreadsheet: Track all income and categorize every expense
Store receipts and invoices: Keep them for at least 3–5 years
Set aside money for taxes: 20–30% of your income is a good starting point

Bonus tip: automate what you can. Use tools like QuickBooks, Wave, or even Notion templates made for content creators. The less you rely on memory, the fewer mistakes you'll make.

If you don’t track now, you’ll be scrambling in April. And trust us, you don’t want to be digging through thousands of OnlyFans notifications trying to sort things out last minute.

What Taxes Do You Actually Owe?

Here’s what you can expect in most cases:

Income tax: Based on your total earnings after write-offs
Self-employment tax: Covers Social Security and Medicare. In the U.S., it’s 15.3% on your net income
State taxes: Depends on where you live. Some states have none, others take a good chunk

Some states even require a business license or charge extra taxes on freelance earnings. Look it up or ask a tax professional who knows creator economy rules.

If you're earning over $1,000 from OnlyFans in a year, you’re expected to make quarterly estimated tax payments. This helps you avoid nasty penalties and a surprise bill next spring.

Can You "Hide" OnlyFans On Your Taxes?

We get this question a lot. No, you can’t legally hide income. But you can list it under a more neutral-sounding business label.

Instead of "OnlyFans model," try terms like:

Digital content creator
Subscription-based entertainer
Online video producer

It makes things cleaner on forms, especially if you’re applying for loans, insurance, or anything that involves reviewing your business income. But don’t lie or omit your earnings—that leads to audits.

More info: How To Hide OnlyFans On Taxes.

Should You Register A Business For OnlyFans?

If you’re making consistent income, registering as a sole proprietor or LLC might be worth it. It won’t magically reduce your taxes, but it can help you:

Look more professional
Open a business bank account
Get access to more write-offs
Protect your personal assets (in some cases)

Many creators start as sole proprietors and upgrade to an LLC once they cross $30k–40k in annual income. At that point, you might even explore S-corp status to save on self-employment tax.

If you're just getting started, check out How To Start An OnlyFans for a solid foundation.

What If You’re Outside The U.S.?

OnlyFans works globally, and that includes tax obligations. You’ll need to follow your local tax laws. Some countries require VAT or GST. Others don’t care until you pass a certain threshold.

You should:

Report your earnings locally
Check if you need to file a W-8BEN form (for non-U.S. creators)
Understand if your country treats OnlyFans income as freelance or corporate

Some countries, like Canada, Australia, or the UK, may allow similar deductions to the U.S. rules. But don’t assume—get help from someone who knows your national laws.

You can learn more about international legal considerations here: Is OnlyFans Illegal In My Country?

Don’t Wait Until Tax Season To Figure It Out

Here’s the hard truth: OnlyFans does report to the IRS. They keep track of what you earn. And if your earnings look big but your tax return shows zero, that’s a red flag.

Get organized early. Use tools. Talk to a tax pro if needed. And don’t guess your way through April.

You’re running a business, whether you admit it or not. The creators who treat it that way get ahead—and stress way less during tax season.

Need help setting up or growing your account so you can afford those taxes? Read our OnlyFans Management Guide For Creators or Get In Touch With Us. We’ll help you build a serious business—and keep more of what you earn.