@Aneisha28 wrote:
Ok So I can use whatever name I want on my onlyfans profile and just put my real name on my W9?
Correct. The W-9 must have your real name and SSN; you can run your channel under any nickname you like.
You have the option of getting an EIN for your business activities. This is a federal Employer Identification Number. You are required to have one if your business has employees, but anyone running a business has the option of getting an EIN. If you get an EIN, you put the EIN on your W-9 instead of your own personal SSN. Some people do this for privacy reasons. You can get an EIN online in about 15 minutes.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-n...
Lastly, there is a concept called a "d/b/a". This is a way of registering a business name with the local city or county or state government. d/b/a means "doing business as", so it might be John Smith d/b/a Smith Excellent House Painters, for example. The d/b/a gives the business protection (no one can copy the name) and it gives the consumer protection (the consumer can look up who the real person is who runs the business). This is a local issue and has nothing to do with taxes. For taxes, the painting business would be reported on John Smith's tax return and using his own SSN or his EIN if he got one.
We can't tell you if a d/b/a is required in your local area, or how to get one. You would have to research that locally. I suspect OF creators rarely register d/b/a's, and I only mention it to help you understand why businesses sometimes register but also why the IRS goes by your real name regardless of what you call yourself.
