Making money on OnlyFans is exciting, but it also comes with new responsibilities like paying taxes. Whether you are just starting out or already earning steady income, understanding how OnlyFans taxes work is key to protecting your business and keeping more of what you earn. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know in simple, clear terms.

Understanding OnlyFans Income

When you start earning on OnlyFans, it feels exciting. But those earnings are taxable income, and the IRS expects you to report it. Whether you make money from subscriptions, tips, pay-per-view content, or referrals, it all counts as business income.

If you create and sell content through your OnlyFans account, you are running a business in the eyes of the IRS. You are considered an independent contractor or a self-employed individual. This means you must pay self-employment tax and income tax on your earnings.

Types of Income You Must Report

• Subscription fees from your fans
• Tips sent directly through the platform
• Paid messages or locked content
• Referral bonuses from promoting OnlyFans

Your gross income is the total amount you earn before subtracting any business expenses.

Tax Classification for OnlyFans Creators

OnlyFans creators are classified as self-employed for tax purposes. You are not considered an employee of OnlyFans. This is important because it impacts the way you pay taxes and file your tax return.

You will be responsible for both the income tax and the self-employment tax yourself. Unlike employees, there is no automatic tax withholding from your payments.

If you earn $400 or more from self-employment income, you must file taxes and report your earnings to the IRS.

Tax Forms You Need for Filing

Understanding your tax forms is crucial for filing OnlyFans taxes correctly.

Tax Form	Purpose
1099-NEC	You will receive this form if you earn over $600 from OnlyFans.
Schedule C	Used to report business income and business expenses.
Schedule SE	Calculates your self-employment taxes.
Form 1040	The main tax return form that all taxpayers file.
Form 1040-ES	Used for quarterly estimated tax payments.
W-9	OnlyFans might request this for reporting purposes.

If you do not receive a 1099-NEC, you are still required to report all your income.

Tax Obligations: What You Need to Pay

When it comes to taxes for OnlyFans, here’s what you need to know:

1. Income Tax

You must pay income tax on your net income. This is your total income minus all your business expenses.

2. Self-Employment Tax

This covers Social Security and Medicare contributions. The current rate for self-employment tax is 15.3% on your net earnings.

• 12.4% for Social Security
• 2.9% for Medicare

Self-employed people like OnlyFans creators must pay self-employment tax in addition to regular income taxes.

Understanding Quarterly Estimated Taxes

As an OnlyFans creator, you must often pay quarterly if you expect to owe $1,000 or more when you file your taxes.

Quarterly estimated tax payments are due:

Quarter	Due Date
Q1	April 15
Q2	June 15
Q3	September 15
Q4	January 15 (of the following year)

Missing a payment can lead to penalties, so it’s a smart move to set aside money regularly. Many creators save 25–30% of their OnlyFans earnings for taxes.

Deductible Business Expenses for OnlyFans Creators

One of the best ways to lower your tax bill is by deducting legitimate business expenses.

Common Deductible Expenses

• Internet bills (partial if used for work)
• Phone bill (work-related portion)
• Camera equipment, lights, microphones
• Editing software subscriptions
• Marketing and advertising costs
• Costumes, props, or set materials
• Home office deduction (if you have a dedicated workspace)

Your business expenses must be necessary and ordinary for your OnlyFans work to qualify.

When you calculate your taxes, you will subtract all your expenses from your gross business income to determine your net income.

This process is called calculating your income minus expenses.

How to Keep Track of Your Income and Expenses

Good record-keeping is a must for managing OnlyFans taxes. Here’s what you need:

• Bank statements showing incoming payments
• Receipts for business-related purchases
• Invoices for expenses
• Logs for mileage if you travel for work
• A separate business account (recommended)

Having organized records will make it much easier to file OnlyFans taxes correctly and to back up your claims if the IRS asks questions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing OnlyFans Taxes

Here are some pitfalls that many creators fall into:

• Not reporting all OnlyFans income (even without a 1099 form)
• Mixing personal life and business expenses
• Forgetting about quarterly taxes
• Claiming personal expenses as business expenses (only legitimate OnlyFans expenses count)
• Not saving for self-employment taxes

Avoiding these mistakes will help you stay compliant and avoid surprises at tax time.

Do You Need a Tax Professional?

While you can use tax software to file OnlyFans taxes, hiring a tax professional who understands the OnlyFans business is a smart move, especially if:

• You are making over $20,000 a year.
• You have complex deductions.
• You want help planning for future tax years.
• You want to avoid an audit.

A good accountant will help you maximize your business write-offs legally and make sure you pay taxes accurately.

FAQs

Do OnlyFans creators have to pay taxes?

Yes. Any income earned on OnlyFans is considered self-employment income. You must report it and pay income tax and self-employment tax.

How does OnlyFans show up on tax returns?

Your OnlyFans income is reported on your Schedule C as business income. You also use Schedule SE to calculate your self-employment taxes.

How do I prove income on OnlyFans?

You can prove income from OnlyFans through:

• 1099-NEC forms issued by OnlyFans
• Bank statements showing deposits
• Screenshots of your earnings dashboard (backed by transaction records)

Always keep copies for your records in case you need to show them later.

What percentage does OnlyFans take?

OnlyFans keeps 20% of your earnings. You keep 80%, but you must pay tax on the full amount you earn, not after the 20% cut.

Conclusion

Managing your OnlyFans taxes does not have to feel overwhelming. When you treat your account like a real business, track your income and expenses, make quarterly estimated tax payments, and claim legitimate business-related expenses, you set yourself up for success.

Whether you are a new creator or scaling your business to six or seven figures, knowing how taxes for OnlyFans work is a game-changer for your financial future. If you want help taking the guesswork out of your taxes, working with a tax professional who specializes in OnlyFans creators can save you time, stress, and money.

Your path to complete financial prosperity begins now. To master the art of tax planning and transform your future financial outlook at tax time, contact The OnlyFans Accountant for a free consultation. Want to learn how to maximize deductions, track expenses like a pro, save more, and navigate tax season like a boss? Get your FREE copy of our eBook.

Need assistance or guidance with completing your OnlyFans taxes? Call us today! Our experts are ready to help you navigate your tax obligations and maximize your deductions.