OnlyFans Creator Taxes in Wisconsin - 2025 Guide

Updated for 2025 (Filing 2024 Taxes)

Is OnlyFans Creator income taxable in Wisconsin?

Yes, absolutely. Income earned through OnlyFans is considered taxable income by both the federal government and the state of Wisconsin. As an OnlyFans creator, you are generally considered self-employed by the IRS and Wisconsin Department of Revenue. This means you're responsible for reporting your earnings and paying all applicable taxes.

Federal Requirements (Schedule C): You will report your OnlyFans income and expenses on Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business) as part of your Form 1040. This form calculates your net profit (income minus expenses). Even if you don't expect a profit, you must file Schedule C if your gross income is $400 or more.

Wisconsin Specific Rules: Wisconsin has a graduated income tax system, meaning the tax rate you pay increases as your income increases. Your net profit from Schedule C will be added to your other income (like wages from a traditional job, if applicable) to determine your total taxable income for Wisconsin. Wisconsin then applies its tax brackets to calculate your state income tax liability. You'll use Form 1040-ES to estimate and pay quarterly taxes to avoid penalties (more on that later!). Wisconsin also has specific deductions and credits, so be sure to explore those on the Department of Revenue website (dor.wi.gov).

Top Tax Write-offs for OnlyFans Creators

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

• Equipment & Software: Costs for cameras, lighting, computers, editing software (like Adobe Creative Cloud), and any other equipment used directly for creating content are deductible. You can often deduct the full cost in the year of purchase (Section 179 deduction) or depreciate it over several years.
• Home Office Deduction: If you use a dedicated space in your home exclusively and regularly for your OnlyFans business (e.g., a room for filming, editing, or managing subscriptions), you may be able to deduct a portion of your home expenses like rent/mortgage interest, utilities, and insurance. There's a simplified method available as well.
• Mileage: If you drive for business purposes (e.g., to purchase equipment, attend networking events, or film content off-site), you can deduct mileage. For 2024, the standard mileage rate is approximately 67 cents per mile. Keep a detailed mileage log!
• Subscription & Service Fees: Fees paid to OnlyFans themselves are a direct business expense and fully deductible. 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 – a combined 15.3% (12.4% for Social Security up to the annual wage base, and 2.9% for Medicare).

You calculate this tax on Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax). You only pay self-employment tax on 92.35% of your net earnings from Schedule C. The good news is you can deduct one-half of your self-employment tax from your gross income on Form 1040, which reduces your overall tax liability.

Closing Tip for Wisconsin Residents

Don't wait until April 15th to think about your taxes! Because you're self-employed, you're generally required to make estimated tax payments to both the IRS and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue quarterly using Form 1040-ES (federal) and Form 1040-ES (Wisconsin). Failing to do so can result in penalties. I strongly recommend consulting with a qualified tax professional, especially one familiar with the unique challenges of the creator economy, to ensure you're maximizing your deductions and complying with all applicable tax laws. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue website (dor.wi.gov) is also a valuable resource.