The internet’s opened a whole new world for creators to turn their skills into cash. And if you’re on OnlyFans in New Zealand, chances are you’re making some decent income from your subscribers. Nice one! But here’s the thing most people don’t think about until it’s too late: tax.
Yep, the IRD wants their share. So let’s break it down in plain English so you stay out of trouble—and keep more of your money.
Understanding tax obligations for OnlyFans creators in New Zealand
If you’re earning money on OnlyFans, the IRD sees that as income. Simple as that. But before we get into the nitty-gritty, there’s one important question to ask: is this a hobby or a business?
Why does it matter? Because if it’s a business, you’ve got a whole bunch of extra tax responsibilities. And let’s be honest—if you’re posting regularly and getting paid monthly, chances are it’s a business in their eyes.
The IRD looks at things like:
- How often you’re getting paid
- Your relationship with your subscribers
- Whether you’re trying to make money on purpose (spoiler: you probably are)
- How organised and consistent you are with your content
If you’re doing this regularly with the goal of making money, congratulations—you’re officially running a business, whether you meant to or not.
And even if you’re just dabbling and make over $200 in untaxed income during the tax year? You still have to file an IR3 tax return. Side hustle or full-time gig, the rules apply.
What constitutes taxable income for content creators ?
Okay, so you know you’ve gotta declare your income. But what exactly counts as income when you’re on OnlyFans?
Let’s keep it simple. If someone gives you money—or even gifts—because of your content, the IRD wants to know about it.
Here’s what’s taxable:
| Income Type | Description | Taxable? |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Payments | What OnlyFans/Fansly/Fancentro pay you | Fully taxable |
| Tips & Donations | Extra love from your fans | Fully taxable |
| Promo Income | Paid to promote products or brands | Fully taxable |
| Gifts from Fans | Wishlist items, hotel stays, perks, etc. | Fully taxable |
| Custom Content | Pay-per-view or personalised requests | Fully taxable |
Yes—even gifts. That free pair of shoes or hotel stay you got from a fan? That counts too.
The IRD puts it bluntly: “If you don’t want to be taxed on a non-monetary gift, don’t accept it.” Not very romantic, but hey—it’s business.
Maximizing deductions and maintaining proper records
Here’s the good news: if it’s a business, you can deduct business expenses to reduce your taxable income. But you can’t just write off everything—there are rules.
The basic idea? If you spent money to make money on OnlyFans, and it wasn’t for personal use, it might be deductible.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Fully deductible: 100% business use (e.g. tripod, lighting, props)
- Partially deductible: Mixed business/personal (e.g. makeup, phone plan)
- Not deductible: Purely personal (e.g. daily clothes you wear anyway)
Examples? Sure:
- That wild costume you bought just for a shoot? ✅ Fully deductible.
- Your internet bill? ✅ Partially deductible based on your home office setup.
- Your everyday jeans that show up in a few videos? ❌ Probably not deductible.
Other common deductions include:
- Part of your rent and utilities (if you work from home)
- Marketing and ad spend
- Subscriptions to editing or scheduling tools
- Accountant or legal fees related to your content work
Pro tip: Keep receipts and good records. The IRD requires you to hang onto everything for 7 years. If you don’t, they can guess your income—and trust me, their guesses are rarely in your favour.
GST considerations for growing creators
If you start making real money—over $60,000 in a 12-month period—you’ll need to register for GST.
Yep, even as an OnlyFans creator, you’re technically providing media services. So if you hit that threshold, you’ll need to file regular GST returns and adjust your pricing and invoicing accordingly.
Still small-time? No stress (yet). But keep an eye on your growth.
Final thoughts: Stay ahead of the game
The online world moves fast. What was a side hustle yesterday might be a full-time income stream next month. So it pays to get your tax stuff sorted early.
If you’re serious about OnlyFans—or just making decent cash—chat with an accountant. Someone who understands digital income can help you:
- Maximise your deductions
- Stay compliant
- Avoid nasty surprises at tax time
At BH Accounting, we help creators like you connect with trusted tax pros who actually get this stuff. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Because let’s face it—you’ve got better things to do than stress about the IRD. Like creating amazing content and growing your audience.