Let’s make one thing clear: Only Fans is a business and every content creator should treat it as one. Why? Because the benefits of being a self-employed business owner are significant.
Let’s start with taxes, because that’s where many of those benefits are realized.
Of course, they mean you need to keep track all year long so when it comes time to file your taxes you have accurate records.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves! First, let’s discuss how to file taxes as a Only Fans business owner.
One of the main reasons that you should run your Only Fans as a business is because you can deduct so many expenses from your earnings when it comes time to file your taxes.
While we are NOT tax advisors, the following information will help you know where to start organizing and what expenses to keep track of throughout the year.
NOTE: this article applies to U.S. taxpayers only; while the principles likely apply in other countries please consult a tax advisor to confirm what is deductible in your country.
Here’s what you need to know:
Tax Obligations: In most cases, yes, you need to pay taxes on your OnlyFans income.
Whether it’s from subscriptions, tips, donations, PPV content, or other revenue streams, your earnings are subject to income tax and self-employment tax.
OnlyFans does not automatically withhold taxes, so it’s your responsibility.
Self-Employment Status: OnlyFans income is considered self-employment from a tax perspective.
You can set up a Limited Liability Company in most states for a few hundred dollars, which allows you to report your business income on your personal income tax return, in what’s called ‘pass through’ taxation.
There are many benefits to establishing a legitimate business as a content creator, but that’s for another article.
Regardless of setting up an actual business, you are considered a sole proprietor when you earn money through Only Fans or any other online content selling platform.
You are an independent contractor, not an employee of the platform, which means you must pay self-employment tax, including Social Security tax (12.4%) and Medicare tax (2.9%), totaling 15.3%.
Set Up Your Account Correctly: ensure you have completed all the required documents on each platform where you have an account. In most instances, you can’t withdraw your earnings until these are completed, but check to confirm.
- W-9: The IRS requires your tax information, and OnlyFans needs your W-9 form before you can withdraw earnings. The form is straightforward to fill out, requiring details like your name, address, and Social Security number.
- 1099 NEC: OnlyFans will send you this form if you earn more than $600 in a year. It details your gross business income, essential for reporting to the IRS. Federal law requires that these are sent out by January 31 each year, so if you haven’t received yours and you meet the criteria, reach out to the platform immediately and request your copy.
- 1040 Schedule C and Schedule SE: As a small business owner, you must file these forms along with your standard 1040 tax return. They help calculate your net income and self-employment tax.
Saving for Taxes: Every time you take a payout, set aside 20-30% of your earnings to cover tax obligations in a savings account.
(High Yield Savings Accounts are paying 3-5% monthly right now, btw, so you can be earning money while you are saving to pay your taxes. Here’s some great ones to consider ).
This ensures you have funds when it’s time to pay taxes and you’re not spending all your April earnings to pay what you owe.
Record-Keeping: Save all receipts, both offline and online throughout the year. For online receipts, set up a folder and save email receipts in them so you have them all in one place. It’s also simple to set up a dropbox or computer folder with the year so you can save pdfs, pictures of physical receipts etc all in one place. Keep your bank and credit card statements as you will refer to these when filing your taxes as well.
Tax Write-Offs for Content Creators: This is where it gets good! While it may seem like a hassle to set up a business, track all your expenses and keep all your receipts, the key to a successful business of any kind is keeping as much of your earnings as legally allowed. As a content creator, you have ongoing and one-time expenses that you can claim against your earnings, reducing the amount of taxable income you report.
What expenses can you deduct? Glad you asked! Here’s a partial list of the most common expenses related to your content creation business:
- Props, lighting accessories, sex toys, and gym fees can be deducted.
- Beauty treatments, hair appointments, nails, makeup, bikinis and lingerie
- Travel expenses related to content creation: airfare, car rental, hotel, Airbnb, meals
- Camera, phone, internet, computer software related to your business (editing, social media management, etc..)
- Advertising costs: guaranteed gains, paid shout outs, etc..
- Agency management fees: among the many benefits of working with a talent management agency, you can deduct their fees from your taxable income. So if you earn $1000, and the agency takes half, then your taxable income is $500 which can greatly reduce the taxes you owe.
Separate Personal Expenses from Business Expenses:
- If 25% of the time you use the internet is for OnlyFans, then you can write off 25% of your internet bill as a business expense.
- Same goes for buying a new phone or your monthly phone bill, if you use the same phone for personal and business, calculate the average percentage of time you use your phone for business and claim that as a business expense
- This means that you can claim back tax, which may be up to 50% of the item cost… if you file it as a business expense.
When to Pay Taxes: In the U.S., quarterly tax payments are necessary if you expect to owe more than $1000 in a year.
If you miss a payment deadline, you will likely wind up paying interest and penalties, costing you more of your hard earned money.
Benefits of a Good Accountant: While hiring an accountant is not mandatory, it can simplify the tax filing process. There are multiple low-cost online tax filing sites that you can explore, but as your business grows and you start earning serious money, it’s advisable to work with a professional to ensure you aren’t missing out on deductions that help you keep more of your earnings. It can also save you time and frustration associated with navigating complex tax laws and let you focus on creating more content and earning more.
Don’t worry about the source of your earnings, because accountants are bound by confidentiality, so you can disclose your profession as a “Specialized Content Creator” without divulging specific details.
Accountants experienced with self-employed clients are worth the effort to find. Ask other creators or business owners you know for recommendations.
Remember, the key is to have a clear understanding of your financial situation, keep thorough records, and seek professional guidance to optimize your tax situation.
You work hard on your content and you deserve to keep as much of your earnings as allowed by law. Taking time to set up a simple system for tracking and organizing your expenses throughout the year will make it much easier for you once tax time rolls around. As a content creator, you have so many deductions available to you because of the nature of your work. Expenses that are a normal part of your life are now legitimate tax deductions and if you put what you learned in this article to practice, your business just became much more profitable.
Good luck!