OnlyFans taxes UK: A simple guide to declaring your income

So your OnlyFans is up and running and you’re finally starting to make money. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back! But remember that when the cash starts rolling in, you’ll also need to start dealing with taxes. 

Having an OnlyFans is basically like running your own business, which means you have to be your own boss and declare your income to the UK’s tax authorities. 

But don't worry—we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.

In this guide we’ll walk you through how to handle your earnings like a pro and how to make sure that you stay on the right side of the law. 

What income do I need to declare?

On OnlyFans, your income come from several different sources. You’ll have to take all of these into account when calculating your gross income for tax purposes. 

It includes all the money you make from:

• Subscriptions

• Tips

• Pay-per-view content (PPV)

• Merchandising

• Brand partnerships

Remember, whether it's a steady flow of subscriptions or the occasional tip, it all counts as income and will need to be declared. So keep a meticulous record of everything you earn from OnlyFans. 

Tax requirements

When it comes to taxes, knowing what your obligations are can save you a lot of trouble (and money) down the line.

Whether you’re earning a lot or are starting to see profits, you need to know your tax requirements.

If you still feel overwhelmed after reading this article, consider hiring a professional tax advisor to help you prepare for tax season. 

Filing a self assessment

So how do you declare your income from OnlyFans?

Well, first things first, you've got to let the HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs) know that you’re working as a self-employed individual. You do this by registering for Self Assessment. If you want to read more about Self Assessment, check out the HMRC’s Self Assessment guide here.

Once you're registered, HMRC will send you a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number. This is your personal ID for tax purposes. Save it in a safe place and don’t share it with others.

It’s important to keep track of the deadlines for your tax declarations. Mark these dates in your calendar and set reminders if necessary. If you miss one, you risk facing a late filing penalties.

These are the deadlines for 2025: 

• 5th of October: If you need to complete a tax return and you have not done one before, you must complete it by the 5th of October. You could be fined if you don’t. Start by registering with the HMRC.

• 31st of October: The deadline for those filing a paper tax return. 

• 31st of January: The deadline for filing your taxes online. 

• 31st of January: The deadline for paying the taxes you owe. 

Taxable thresholds

Understanding how much tax you’ll have to pay will help you prepare for tax season. 

The first step is determining or estimating your total annual income. This includes the money you make on OnlyFans and any other income sources. 

Everyone in the UK has a Personal Allowance of £12,570—this is the amount you can earn per year without paying any income tax. 

If you're earning less than this through OnlyFans and don’t have other income sources, you won’t need to pay taxes, though you still have to declare it. 

If your total income is more than £12,570 per year, you are in the basic tax rate, which is 20%. It applies to all incomes up to £50,270/year. 

If you start earning more than £50,270/year, you'll be in the 40% tax rate. This applies to incomes up to £125,140/year. 

And for those who make more than £125,140 annually? There's an additional rate of 45%.

VAT registration

If you're earning more than £85,000 in gross income, you’ll need to register for VAT. 

And with VAT registration comes MTD (Making Tax Digital) Compliance. This means you'll need to keep digital records and use a compatible software to submit your VAT returns.

Conclusion

After reading our guide, you should be ready to tackle your taxes as a UK OnlyFans Creator. 

Familiarize yourself with the guidelines from HMRC and keep up to date with the latest changes. Keep a meticulous record of all of your earnings and expenses while keeping track of the key tax deadlines. 

And if it starts to feel overwhelming, don’t hesitate to hire a professional tax advisor. This will let you focus on what you do best: creating hot content.