OnlyFans Creator Taxes in North Carolina - 2025 Guide

Updated for 2025 (Filing 2024 Taxes)

Is OnlyFans Creator income taxable in North Carolina?

Yes, income earned as an OnlyFans creator is absolutely taxable, both at the federal and North Carolina state levels. The IRS considers you self-employed, meaning you're running a business. This has specific implications for how you report and pay taxes.

Federal Requirements (Schedule C): You will report your OnlyFans income and expenses on Schedule C, "Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship)". This form is filed with your personal income tax return (Form 1040). You'll calculate your net profit (income minus expenses) on Schedule C, and that net profit is then transferred to your 1040 to determine your overall taxable income. Keep meticulous records of all income received and all business expenses paid.

North Carolina Specific Rules: North Carolina has a flat income tax rate for 2024. As of late 2024, the rate is 4.5%. Your net profit from Schedule C will be added to your other income, and this total will be subject to the 4.5% North Carolina income tax. North Carolina also allows for a standard deduction, which reduces your taxable income. You'll file Form D-400 to report your North Carolina income tax.

Top Tax Write-offs for OnlyFans Creators

As a self-employed individual, you can significantly reduce your tax liability by claiming legitimate business expenses. Here are some common deductions for OnlyFans creators:

• Equipment & Software: This includes your camera, lighting, computer, editing software (like Adobe Creative Cloud), and any other tools directly used to create content. You can either deduct the full cost in the year of purchase (using Section 179 deduction, subject to limits) or depreciate the cost over several years.
• Home Office Deduction: If you use a dedicated space exclusively and regularly for your OnlyFans business, you may be able to deduct a portion of your rent or mortgage, utilities, and home insurance. The deduction is based on the percentage of your home used for business.
• Mileage: If you drive for business purposes (e.g., to purchase equipment, attend networking events, or meet with clients), you can deduct mileage. For 2024, the standard mileage rate is approximately 67 cents per mile. Keep a detailed mileage log with dates, destinations, and business purpose.
• Subscription & Service Fees: Fees paid to OnlyFans themselves are deductible as a business expense. Also, costs for any other services used to manage your business (e.g., scheduling tools, virtual assistants) are deductible.

The 15.3% Self-Employment Tax Surprise

Many self-employed individuals are surprised by self-employment tax. When you're an employee, your employer pays half of your Social Security and Medicare taxes. As a self-employed individual, you're responsible for both the employer and employee portions, totaling 15.3% (12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare).

You'll calculate this tax on Schedule SE, "Self-Employment Tax". However, you only pay self-employment tax on 92.35% of your net profit from Schedule C. The good news is that you can deduct one-half of your self-employment tax from your gross income on Form 1040, which helps reduce your overall tax liability.

Remember, self-employment tax applies to earnings over $400.

Closing Tip for North Carolina Residents

Tax laws can be complex, and this information is for general guidance only. I strongly recommend consulting with a qualified tax professional (like myself!) who specializes in working with self-employed individuals, especially those in the content creation space. We can help you maximize your deductions, ensure you're compliant with all federal and North Carolina tax laws, and potentially save you significant money. Don't wait until tax season to get organized – proactive tax planning is key to a stress-free filing experience.