OnlyFans UK: Do You Need a Tax ID?

💡 Why creators in the UK ask about a “tax ID” — and why it matters

If you’re earning from OnlyFans and live in the UK, the “Do I need a tax ID?” question pops up fast — especially when payouts start covering rent, bills or a mortgage deposit. Creators see big platform numbers in the press and wonder whether they need some special registration, a one-off code, or if the platform handles it all for them. Short answer: the platform doesn’t handle your income tax for you — you do.

OnlyFans’ recently filed accounts (reported across business pages) make this clear: the company is headquartered in the UK, paid tax here, and grew revenues and user numbers in 2024 — meaning more creators and more money changing hands globally. That growth is part of why HMRC and local tax advice are relevant if you’re a creator in the UK. Creators face two main issues: (1) identifying the right tax ID to register with HMRC (a UTR) and (2) choosing the right business structure so tax, National Insurance and reporting make sense. This guide walks through what “tax ID” actually means for UK creators, practical registration steps, real-life risks (privacy, stigma, tax mistakes) and how to get ahead without panic.

We’ll also use OnlyFans’ 2024 snapshot — creator counts, payouts, profits — to show the size of the cake and how creators normally fit into it. Along the way I’ll flag real-world stories that highlight privacy and reputational risk for creators so you can plan tax and life smarter, not harder.

📊 Platform snapshot — numbers that explain why tax matters

This table pulls the headline figures OnlyFans reported for 2024: strong top-line revenue, huge subscriber numbers and substantial creator payouts. The upshot for UK creators: when a platform is moving billions, HMRC notices. Even though OnlyFans pays corporate tax where it’s headquartered (the UK), creators remain responsible for their own income tax and National Insurance on what they receive. The simple mean payout above (~1.261 USD per creator) is just that — a mean — and hides the huge spread between top earners and casual creators. That variance is why structure, record-keeping and good advice matter if you start to make meaningful money.

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💡 Which “tax ID” do UK creators actually need?

Short, clear mapping:

• National Insurance (NI) number — your core identifier for employment/NICs and benefits. You should already have this if you’ve worked in the UK.
• Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) — the HMRC reference you receive after registering for Self Assessment; this is the “tax ID” most creators need.
• VAT number — only if your turnover exceeds the current VAT registration threshold (check HMRC for up-to-date figures).
• Company registration number — if you form a limited company, Companies House issues this and you’ll file company tax returns.

How it plays out in practice:

• If you’re a casual earner under HMRC thresholds, you still must report income, but registration rules differ.
• If you intend to make this your main income, register as self-employed (sole trader) and you’ll get a UTR. That UTR is the tax ID you’ll use on Self Assessment returns.
• Forming a limited company is an option once you want limited liability and different tax treatment — but it brings payroll (PAYE), corporation tax and reporting obligations.

Practical steps (quick list):

• Register for Self Assessment with HMRC online as a sole trader — expect a UTR by post.
• Keep clear records: monthly income, fees, platform commissions, allowable expenses (equipment, props, software).
• Set aside a tax pot — aim for 20–30% until you know your tax band and NICs obligations.
• Consider VAT only if nearing HMRC threshold; otherwise ignore until turnover changes.
• Get an accountant if you’re earning consistently or want to set up a company.

🔍 Real-world risks and why other creators’ stories matter

Tax is one thing; reputation and privacy are another. Recent creator stories underline how public attention can impact earnings and personal life. For example, public-facing creators often face harassment, stigma or unexpected exposure — a point driven home when high-profile creatives like Jessie Cave reported being blocked from events because of her OnlyFans presence [Deadline, 2025-09-22]. Other pieces show why some creators turn to platforms after personal trauma or public shaming — motivations that affect how they handle tax, privacy and long-term planning (see Lily Jade’s story) [Us Weekly, 2025-09-25]. And then there’s the very human cost: family fallout when content becomes public, like the Perth creator who described her child learning about her OnlyFans work [PerthNow, 2025-09-25].

Why this matters for tax: being identified publicly can trigger HMRC interest (not in a punitive sense, but in the sense that visible income draws queries), and it raises planning questions about whether to operate as a private sole trader, a limited company, or even use an agency/management company.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Do I need a UTR or an NI number to report OnlyFans income?

💬 Answer: 💬 You need both in practice: your NI is your personal identifier; your UTR comes after you register for Self Assessment and is the tax ID you’ll use to file returns.

🛠️ Should I register as a sole trader or set up a limited company for OnlyFans earnings?

💬 Answer: 💬 Sole trader is simplest for starting out; a company can save tax at scale but adds admin. If you’re turning over big sums, chat to an accountant.

🧠 Will OnlyFans report my earnings to HMRC?

💬 Answer: 💬 OnlyFans reports corporate taxes and filings where it’s headquartered, but creators are responsible for reporting their own income to HMRC — don’t assume the platform does it for you.

🧩 Final Thoughts…

OnlyFans’ 2024 numbers show the platform is big business — and where big money flows, tax and regulation follow. For UK creators the core action is simple: register (Self Assessment → UTR), keep solid records, set money aside and get proper advice if you scale. Beyond tax, think privacy and reputational risk: real creators’ stories show how quickly things can become public and messy. Take basic protections, plan for tax, and don’t wing it when the payouts become meaningful.

📚 Further Reading

Here are 3 recent pieces from the news pool that add context to creator safety, platform coverage and creator spend habits — check them out.

🔸 “OnlyFans Star Lily Phillips, 24, Breaks Down her $60k Plastic Surgery Procedures — Including Some ‘Very Intimate’ Tweaks”
🗞️ Source: Radar Online – 📅 2025-09-25
🔗 Read Article

🔸 “Mackenzie Dern In Black Lingerie Has Fans Begging ‘OnlyFans Please’”
🗞️ Source: The Blast – 📅 2025-09-25
🔗 Read Article

🔸 “Charlie Sheen Discusses Sleeping With 47K Women on Logan Paul Podcast”
🗞️ Source: Page Six / TMZ – 📅 2025-09-24
🔗 Read Article

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📌 Disclaimer

This post blends publicly available information with friendly commentary and a touch of AI assistance. It’s for guidance and discussion — not formal tax advice. Always double-check HMRC rules and ask a qualified accountant for personalised help. If anything’s off, ping me and I’ll tidy it up.