Accounting and Tax

Solo 401k Calculator: Smart Tax Hacks for OnlyFans Creators

By Matt Cohen March 14, 2025

If you are making money on OnlyFans, taxes are probably one of the biggest headaches you have to deal with. Since you are self-employed, you do not have an employer withholding taxes or setting up a retirement plan for you. The good news is that you have access to a Solo 401k, which is one of the best tax-saving and retirement tools for self-employed creators.

A Solo 401k calculator helps you figure out exactly how much you can contribute and how much you can save on taxes. This can make a big difference in how much of your earnings you get to keep.

Woman learning a solo 401k calculator for OnlyFans taxes.

What Is a Solo 401k and How Does It Work?

A Solo 401k is a retirement plan for self-employed people who do not have any employees other than a spouse. It works like a traditional 401k but is designed for small business owners, freelancers, and content creators.

Who Qualifies for a Solo 401k?

To open a Solo 401k, you must:

  • Have self-employment income from a business, freelancing, or OnlyFans
  • Have no employees, except for a spouse

Since OnlyFans creators work for themselves, a Solo 401k is a great option for tax savings and retirement planning.

How Much Can You Contribute to a Solo 401k?

The best part about a Solo 401k is that you can contribute as both an employee and an employer, which allows for much higher contribution limits compared to a regular IRA.

Contribution TypeHow It Works2024 Limit
Employee ContributionsYou can put in up to 100 percent of your net self-employment income, up to the limit.$23,000 (or $30,500 if you are 50 or older)
Employer ContributionsYou can contribute up to 25 percent of your net earnings after self-employment tax.Up to a total of $69,000 (or $76,500 if you are 50 or older)

How Much Could You Save?

If you are an OnlyFans creator earning $100,000 per year, you could contribute about $56,000 to a Solo 401k. This lowers your taxable income and could save you thousands of dollars in taxes.

How a Solo 401k Helps You Save on Taxes

A Solo 401k does more than just help you save for retirement. It also lowers the amount of taxes you owe each year.

1. Lowers Your Taxable Income

Every dollar you contribute to a Solo 401k reduces your taxable income. If you made $85,000 but contributed $30,000 to your Solo 401k, the IRS only taxes you on $55,000 instead of the full amount.

2. Reduces Your Self-Employment Tax

As an OnlyFans creator, you owe 15.3 percent in self-employment tax. Since Solo 401k contributions lower your taxable income, they also reduce the amount of self-employment tax you have to pay.

3. Offers Tax-Free Growth (If You Choose the Roth Option)

If you open a Roth Solo 401k, you pay taxes upfront but your money grows tax-free. This means you do not owe taxes when you withdraw the money in retirement.

How to Use a Solo 401k Calculator

A Solo 401k calculator helps you estimate:

  • How much you can contribute based on your OnlyFans income
  • How much you will save on taxes
  • How much your retirement savings could grow over time

Steps to Calculate Your Solo 401k Contributions

  1. Figure out your net self-employment income
    • Start with your total OnlyFans income
    • Subtract your business expenses (equipment, software, marketing, OnlyFans platform fees)
    • Subtract self-employment tax
  2. Calculate your employee contribution
    • You can contribute up to 100 percent of your net earnings, up to $23,000
    • If you are 50 or older, you can contribute $30,500
  3. Calculate your employer contribution
    • You can contribute up to 25 percent of your net earnings after self-employment tax
  4. Use a Solo 401k calculator
    • Enter your income and business type to see your maximum contributions and tax savings

Woman reviewing a solo 401k calculator for OnlyFans tax planning.

Solo 401k vs SEP IRA: Which One Is Better?

If you are self-employed, you might also consider a SEP IRA. Here is how they compare:

FeatureSolo 401kSEP IRA
Employee Contributions?YesNo
Employer Contributions?YesYes (up to 25 percent)
Catch-Up Contributions?Yes (if 50 or older)No
Roth Option?YesNo
Best for?Higher earners who want to maximize contributionsSimpler setup with no employee contributions

For OnlyFans creators, a Solo 401k usually offers more flexibility and higher contribution limits.

FAQs

Can I contribute to a Solo 401k if I have another job?

Yes. If you have another job with a 401k, you can still contribute to a Solo 401k from your OnlyFans income. However, your total employee contributions across all plans cannot exceed $23,000 in 2024.

What happens if I hire an employee?

If you hire a full-time employee, you can no longer use a Solo 401k. You would need to switch to a different retirement plan like a SIMPLE IRA or traditional 401k.

Can I take money out of my Solo 401k early?

Yes, but if you withdraw money before age 59 and a half, you will owe a 10 percent penalty plus income tax unless you qualify for an exception.

Where can I open a Solo 401k?

You can open a Solo 401k with major brokerage firms like Fidelity, Vanguard, and Charles Schwab. Compare fees and investment options before choosing a provider.

Conclusion

If you are self-employed and earning from content creation on OnlyFans, a Solo 401k is one of the best ways to lower your taxable income, save for retirement, and stay on top of tax compliance. Since OnlyFans creators must manage their own taxes, contributing to a 401 k can help reduce total income on your tax return while building long-term financial security.

Using a Solo 401k calculator can show you exactly how much you can contribute and how much you will save. If you are unsure about the best approach, it is smart to seek advice from a tax professional who understands self-employment. Making the right financial moves now ensures that you keep more of what you earn while planning for the future.

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