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What Expenses Can OnlyFans Creators Claim in the UK?
If you earn from OnlyFans in the UK, you can usually reduce your tax bill by claiming allowable business expenses. HMRC has clear rules about what counts, and a few common creator costs, such as everyday clothing, don't. This guide explains the main categories, the trading allowance alternative and how to keep records.
Editorial note: Based on HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on self-employed expenses, the trading allowance and simplified expenses, checked on 8 October 2026. This is general information, not tax advice. Rules change and depend on your circumstances, so speak to an accountant or HMRC before claiming.
What expenses can OnlyFans creators claim in the UK?
Self-employed creators can usually claim costs that are wholly and exclusively for the business, such as equipment, editing software, props, advertising, agency and freelancer fees, and the business share of phone, internet and home costs. You can't claim personal costs, everyday clothing, or expenses at all if you use the £1,000 trading allowance.
What counts as an allowable expense?
GOV.UK lists categories including office costs such as phone bills, travel, uniforms and costumes, staff and subcontractor costs, insurance and bank charges, premises costs, advertising and marketing, subscriptions and training. Costs must relate to your business. Where something has personal and business use, you can only claim the business part.
| Expense | Usually allowable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Camera, lighting, tripod | Generally yes | Claimed as an expense or through capital allowances |
| Editing software and apps | Generally yes | Business share only |
| Agency commission, chatters, editors | Generally yes | Keep invoices |
| OnlyFans' 20% fee | Depends | Claim only if you record income before the fee |
| Phone and internet | Business share | Use a reasonable method |
| Props and sets used only for content | Generally yes | Keep receipts |
| Costumes | Possibly | Must not be everyday clothing |
| Everyday clothing, make-up, hair | Generally no | HMRC treats these as personal |
Should you use the trading allowance or claim expenses?
You can use either the £1,000 trading allowance or your actual expenses, not both. The allowance suits creators with low costs. If your expenses are more than £1,000, claiming them usually reduces your tax more. If your total trading income is £1,000 or less, you may not need to report it.
See OnlyFans tax in the UK for Self Assessment and allowances.
Can you claim clothing, lingerie and make-up?
Usually not. HMRC says you can't claim everyday clothing, even if you wear it for work. Uniforms, protective clothing and costumes for entertainers can be allowable. Make-up and hair are generally treated as personal. Items that could be worn outside work are unlikely to qualify, so get advice before claiming.
Can you claim agency fees and the OnlyFans fee?
Commission paid to an agency, chatter or editor is generally allowable, as a cost of running your business. Keep their invoices. For OnlyFans' 20% fee, it depends on what you record as income: if you record gross earnings, the fee is an expense; if you record what you received after the fee, don't claim it again.
At VANTA, payouts go into your own account and we invoice you for our commission, so your records stay clear. See agency commission explained.
Can you claim working from home costs?
Yes, the business share. You can work out a proportion of costs such as heating, electricity and rent, based on rooms or time used. Or use simplified flat rates if you work from home at least 25 hours a month: £10 a month for 25–50 hours, £18 for 51–100, and £26 for 101 or more.
The flat rate doesn't cover phone or internet. Claim the business share of those separately.
What about equipment you keep?
Items you buy and keep, such as cameras and lights, are usually claimed as allowable expenses if you use cash basis accounting, which is now the default for most sole traders. With traditional accounting, they're usually claimed as capital allowances. See what equipment you need.
How should you keep records?
Keep receipts, invoices and bank statements for every expense, and note what each was for. A separate bank account makes this easier. HMRC generally expects you to keep records for at least five years after the 31 January Self Assessment deadline for that tax year. Making Tax Digital will also require digital records for many sole traders.
Record-keeping checklist:
- A separate account for business income and costs.
- Receipts photographed and labelled.
- Agency and freelancer invoices saved.
- Your method for splitting mixed-use costs written down.
- Monthly totals by category.
Do expenses affect VAT?
If you're VAT-registered, VAT rules on what you can reclaim are separate from income tax expenses. Most creators aren't registered unless their taxable turnover passes the threshold, currently £90,000. If you're close to it, get advice before you go over. See do OnlyFans creators need to register for VAT?.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim my outfits as an expense?
Generally not if they're everyday clothing, even if you wear them for content. Costumes for performers can be allowable. Ask an accountant before claiming.
Can I use the trading allowance and claim expenses?
No. You choose either the £1,000 trading allowance or your actual expenses for that income.
Can I claim my phone bill for OnlyFans?
You can claim the business share of your phone bill. Work it out using a reasonable method and keep a note of it.
How long should I keep receipts?
HMRC generally expects records to be kept for at least five years after the 31 January Self Assessment deadline for the relevant tax year.
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About the author. Solves is the founder of VANTA Management. VANTA's team has six years of creator-management experience, currently manages more than 30 creators and has worked with more than 500. These are figures we report ourselves, not a promise of earnings. About VANTA
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