An Interview With Jazmen Jafar, A Lawyer Turned OnlyFans Model

// A few weeks ago, Above the Law and other media outlets featured Jazmen Jafar, a former lawyer turned OnlyFans model. She said that she made more than $180,000 in the first three months of 2023 compared to her lawyer job which paid $75,000 per year. 

I reached out to her to discuss her new line of work. Here are her answers. 

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Steven Chung: When you create content, do you generally plan everything out in advance? Or do you create spontaneously? 

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Jazmen Jafar: I usually create spontaneously, but many creators plan things out. It just depends on the individual.

SC: Does OnlyFans provide a steady income? 

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JJ: My income definitely fluctuates but I can rely on it to stay within a range, provided that nothing catastrophic happens and I am consistent with my page. The potential for growth is always there and one “viral” moment can boost your income for that month and the following months by quite a bit. 

Note: Models making a large amount of money on platforms like OnlyFans should get tax advice as soon as possible as their income could put them on a high tax bracket, and not all of their purchases could be tax deductible. Basic tax-planning strategies include paying estimated taxes, putting money into a tax-deductible retirement account, and incorporating. 

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SC: Are you classified as an employee or an independent contractor on OnlyFans? 

JJ: All models are considered independent contractors. 

Notes: Under the common law employee tests, models would be considered independent contractors. Models work whenever they want, must purchase their own equipment, and they are not given detailed instructions on how to do their work.  

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As independent contractors, they will receive 1099s and must report self-employed income on their tax returns. This income is subject to self-employment taxes in addition to federal and state income taxes. But they can deduct from income expenses paid that are ordinary and necessary to their work. 

SC: What are typical expenses related to your work? 

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JJ:

• An assistant to help with marketing and administrative work. 
• People to help issue DMCA takedown requests. 
• Phones, lighting equipment, scenery items, and content editing apps. 
• Travel expenses where I collaborate with others or to shoot in various locations. 
• A CPA to help manage finances. 
• Props such as lingerie and toys.

Note: Other models have stated that they purchased clothing exclusively for modeling work. To be tax deductible, the clothing must not be appropriate for everyday use. Purchases of lingerie and costumes could be deductible. But a dress that can be worn to a club or party is not. 

Breast implants are not deductible if the purpose was to improve appearance even if it will help generate income. But in one unusual case, the U.S. Tax Court allowed a business deduction for an exotic dancer’s breast implants. The court noted that taxpayer’s breasts were so “extraordinarily large” that they were useful only in her line of work. 

SC: What are the most unusual expenses you have heard of for this type of work?

JJ: Many models purchased underwear, wore them, and shipped them to their fans at their request. 

SC: Are there professional services available to help make models’ site profitable? If so, what do they do? 

JJ: Many models hire agencies or management companies to help with marketing, selling content to fans, and messaging. They basically take over your page so you can solely focus on making the content. They take a percentage depending on the company and how large the creator is. 

SC: What legal issues do you think content creators on OnlyFans and similar platforms face? What should they be mindful of? 

JJ: The No. 1 issue almost all creators face is leaked content. Many of us consistently have to utilize DMCA takedown services to get the content removed from search engines. Some creators deal with targeted harassment or revenge porn and can have a law firm pursue a John Doe lawsuit against an individual online. Furthermore, many creators choose to work with agencies or management firms that take a percentage of their earnings. This often involves a contract being signed and disputes later arising from those contracts.

SC: Do you have an exit strategy? Would you consider going back into the legal profession?

JJ: I enjoy being an OnlyFans creator and do not plan on stopping this work anytime soon. I do want to branch out to other forms of content creation such as podcasting, making YouTube videos, etc. If I ever did go back to the legal profession, I would want to help advocate for and represent sex workers on a variety of issues.

Note: There have been reports that income will plateau and later decrease. Models should build and keep a substantial savings account as soon as possible. They should also plan an exit strategy, whether it is transitioning into another line of work or finding another means of obtaining financial security. 

SC: I want to thank Ms. Jafar for giving us a glimpse of the less glamorous side of being an OnlyFans model.

Steven Chung is a tax attorney in Los Angeles, California. He helps people with basic tax planning and resolve tax disputes. He is also sympathetic to people with large student loans. He can be reached via email at [email protected]. Or you can connect with him on Twitter (@stevenchung) and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Topics

Jazmen Jafar, OnlyFans, Pornography, Sex Worker, Steven Chung, Tax Law