OnlyFans Models Put On Notice By Australian Tax Office

The tax man's targeting the spank bank.

Galina Dub – Most Well Traveled

OnlyFans, the online content subscription service that’s become a cultural phenomenon, is always controversial… But Australians who are making it big on the platform (pun entirely intended) have been given a stern warning by the Australian Tax Office, with the taxmen laying down a strict new set of guidelines that govern how OnlyFans and other internet creators have to pay tax.


Depending on who you ask, OnlyFans is either liberating or a curse. While theoretically, OnlyFans is a platform for all sorts of content creators, in practice, it’s mostly used by C-list female celebrities and porn stars to sell raunchy videos and pictures. Well, at least that’s how it works in Australia.

OnlyFans has become a byword for smut… And some Aussies are raking it in. However, what a lot of OnlyFans models often forget is that, just like any other income stream, the money you make from OnlyFans is liable to be assessed for tax profits.

The ATO’s new guide also makes it clear that assessable income covers not only money but appearance fees, goods you receive, cryptocurrency, or gifts from fans. So if you get a thirsty bloke to buy you a Louis Vuitton handbag, guess what – that could be taxed.

WATCH British OnlyFans model Emily Black discuss the all-important question – “does size matter?” – below.

Additionally, from 1 July 2023, a new reporting regime will require electronic distribution platforms like OnlyFans to report their transactions to the ATO. The regime will start with ride-sharing platforms like Uber and short-term accommodation platforms like Airbnb and then will extend to all other platforms, including OnlyFans, the following year in 2024, Solid Partners Accountants explains.

What that means is there’s no hiding from the ATO. Of course, the upside of declaring your OnlyFans income is that you can claim tax deductions for expenses that directly relate to that income, such as cameras, microphones and so on.

In 2021, ATO Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh went on the record to explain how “side hustles” were front of mind for the tax office, pointing out that many OnlyFans and other internet creators weren’t filing proper tax returns.

“Generally, when you provide your labour, skills or goods for a fee, you need to report this income in your tax return… regardless of whether you’re using a digital platform or more traditional means, such as word of mouth,” he warned.

“We know lots of people have picked up a side hustle during the pandemic. This has included a wide range of activities such as freelancing, setting up a local market stall or receiving income from subscribers through platforms like Patreon, Twitch or OnlyFans.”

ATO Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh
Anna Paul, Australia’s #1 OnlyFans creator. Image: @anna_paull

Oh, and word to the wise, gents: sending money to your favourite OnlyFans model isn’t tax-deductible, either.

How much money are Australians making on OnlyFans?

While some Australian OnlyFans creators are making huge amounts of money – for instance, former Married At First Sight star Jessika Power claimed she made $280,000 in 2021 from OnlyFans alone – the average income per month for creators on the platform is reportedly around USD $150-$180.

Australia’s biggest OnlyFans creator is 23-year-old influencer Anna Paul, who reportedly ranks in the top 0.01% of all OnlyFans creators. Anna, who charges $10 a month for her content, boasts over 2 million Instagram followers, 5 million TikTok followers and has a net worth of over $6 million.