1099-NEC

1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation) is the IRS information return that platforms like OnlyFans send to independent contractors and self-employed workers — including OnlyFans creators — who earned $600 or more from the platform in a calendar year. OnlyFans sends one copy to the creator (typically by late January) and a duplicate copy directly to the IRS.

What the 1099-NEC reports

Box 1 of the 1099-NEC shows the gross compensation paid to the creator during the year — meaning the gross before OnlyFans deducted its 20% platform fee. This is the number to report on Schedule C line 1 (Gross receipts).

The 20% platform fee that OnlyFans kept is then deducted separately on Schedule C line 10 (Commissions and fees) as a business expense. The net of those two operations equals what actually arrived in your bank account.

Why creators mis-report

The most common mistake: reporting the net (what hit the bank account) on Schedule C line 1 instead of the gross from the 1099-NEC. Because the IRS has a copy of the 1099, this mismatch triggers an automated AUR (Automated Underreporter) notice within 12-18 months of filing.

The fix is procedural: always report gross on line 1, deduct platform fees on line 10. The math is the same; the IRS reconciliation passes.

Threshold and timing

The $600 reporting threshold is the platform’s filing trigger — it doesn’t change your reporting obligation. If you earned $500 from OnlyFans in a year and no 1099 was issued, you still report the $500 on Schedule C. The 1099 is informational; the income is taxable regardless.

OnlyFans typically issues 1099-NECs by January 31 for the prior tax year, in line with IRS deadlines.

More detail on how the 1099-NEC interacts with Schedule C deductions in the Schedule C deductions guide.