Maximize your deductions, minimize your taxes, and stay CRA-compliant
Important: As an OnlyFans creator in Canada, you're considered self-employed for tax purposes
You're allowed to deduct any reasonable business expenses from your income to reduce your taxes — as long as they are related to earning that income.
Before diving into specific deductions, understand these three fundamental principles that guide all business expense claims in Canada.
The expense must be normal for someone in your industry (digital creator / adult performer / influencer).
The expense must help you earn income and be required for your business operations.
Keep clear records, receipts, and separate business vs. personal use with detailed documentation.
These are direct costs of producing your content and are typically 100% deductible.
If you create content at home, you can deduct a portion of your home costs based on your square footage used for work.
If your workspace is 15% of your home's square footage, you can deduct 15% of these expenses:
Example: Home is 1,000 sq ft, workspace is 150 sq ft = 15% deduction rate
All fees related to processing payments and managing your business finances are deductible.
Travel must directly relate to your content or business activities.
Expenses to promote your brand and grow your business.
Tech expenses that support your content creation and business operations.
Caution: CRA scrutinizes these. Only when clearly tied to income production.
Keep detailed notes of how these relate to your income
Avoid these common mistakes that could trigger a CRA audit or result in penalties.
Follow these essential practices to ensure your deductions are audit-ready and CRA-compliant.
Keep business and personal finances completely separate
Track income and expenses monthly, not yearly
Maintain receipts for 6 years minimum
Consult a tax pro familiar with creators
Organize your records using these categories to make tax time easier and ensure you don't miss any deductions.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Advertising | IG ads, OnlyFans boosts, paid promotions |
| Office Expenses | Phone, internet, apps, software subscriptions |
| Supplies | Props, lingerie, backdrops, costumes |
| Travel | Flights, hotels, Ubers, business trips |
| Professional Fees | Accountant, legal advice, tax preparation |
| Rent (Home Office) | Portion of rent or mortgage for workspace |
| Meals & Entertainment | Business lunches, travel meals (50% deductible) |
| Bank Fees | Wire transfers, payment app fees, processing charges |
The CRA doesn't care if it's OnlyFans, YouTube, or Etsy
If you're earning income, you owe taxes. But you're entitled to fair deductions.
Use these deductions to keep more of your hard-earned income, and stay safe from CRA audits.
Need Professional Help?
This guide provides general information. For personalized advice and professional bookkeeping services specifically for creators, consider consulting with tax professionals who understand the unique challenges of content creators.