Free · Content creators

Can I deduct this?

Swipe through 22 real expenses every OnlyFans, Patreon, and content creator runs into — ring lights, editing software, wardrobe, set decor, home studio. Find out which the IRS lets you write off.

Tax deduction swipe
22 expenses. Personal or deductible?

For each card: would the IRS let a content creator write this off? Tap the buttons (or swipe the card) to guess. We'll show you the answer + explanation after each one.

  1. Swipe right or tap Deductible if you think a content creator can claim it.
  2. Swipe left or tap Personal if it's a personal expense.
  3. At the end, you'll see all 22 with the IRS-aligned verdict + reasoning.
Estimate only — not tax advice

Verdicts are based on IRS Pub 535 (Business Expenses) and Pub 463 (Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses). Real-world deductibility depends on your usage, documentation, and method (standard mileage vs actual expenses). Verify with a licensed tax pro before claiming anything on a return.

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Your results
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Nice work. Here's the IRS-aligned breakdown for all 22 expenses.

Important — verify before claiming

These verdicts reflect typical IRS treatment under Pub 535 and Pub 463. Your specific situation (business-use %, recordkeeping, mileage vs actual-expense method) can change the answer. Always confirm with a licensed tax pro before deducting anything on your return.

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How creator deductions actually work

If you earn from OnlyFans, Patreon, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Substack, or any subscription / ad-share platform, you're self-employed. You file Schedule C, pay self-employment tax on net profit, and can deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses against your creator income.

The IRS test for any deduction is whether it's ordinary and necessary for your trade. For a creator, that usually means: things directly tied to producing content (cameras, lighting, microphones, editing software, set decor, platform fees, tax/accounting help) are deductible. Personal lifestyle expenses that "could" tie to content — gym, cosmetic surgery, your regular streaming subs — usually aren't, even when they appear on camera.

The "appears on camera" trap

Creators often try to deduct wardrobe, makeup, and grooming because "I bought it for content." The IRS generally rejects this: if the item has ordinary personal utility — clothing you could wear outside the shoot, makeup that doubles for daily wear, a haircut you'd get anyway — it's not deductible regardless of intent. Costumes, props, and stage wear unsuitable for street wear can be deductible. Document the specificity.

The same logic applies to "content trips" — a vacation you filmed isn't automatically deductible just because cameras ran. To deduct travel, the primary purpose of the trip has to be business, with a documented work itinerary. Same for "competitor research" subscriptions to other creators — if you'd watch the content anyway, it's personal.

What this tool isn't

This is an educational swipe — not tax advice. Real deductibility depends on how you use the item, what records you keep, and the business-use percentage you can document. Many items here are conditional — partial deductions are common. Verdicts are based on IRS Pub 535 (Business Expenses) as of 2026. Verify with a licensed tax pro before claiming anything.